chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

Chessgames premium membership fee will increase to $39 per year effective June 15, 2023. Enroll Now!

Johannes Zukertort vs Joseph Henry Blackburne
"Zukertort's Immortal" (game of the day Oct-06-2015)
London (1883), London ENG, rd 6, May-05
English Opening: Agincourt Defense (A13)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

Click Here to play Guess-the-Move
Given 116 times; par: 67 [what's this?]

explore this opening
find similar games 44 more Zukertort/Blackburne games
sac: 31.Bxe5+ PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: The tournament is found above the game. For the newest chess events, this information may be a link which takes you to the tournament page which includes other games, a crosstable, discussion, etc.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 8 OF 8 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Jan-19-12  Archerforthelord: wow, this is the first flame war ive ever seen on a website for chess O.O
Jul-11-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  Pawn and Two: This game was in a fine balance until Black's 22nd move:


click for larger view

At this point, Blackburne played 22...Nxf6??, and then Zukertort found the winning line, matching Houdini's analysis exactly for the following moves: (4.68) (26 ply) 22...Nxf6?? 23.f5! Ne4 24.Bxe4! dxe4 25.fxg6!. On his 25th move, Blackburne made a very good try with 25...Rc2, and Zukertort had to find several more stunning moves to win this masterpiece.

Correct at move 22, with a nearly equal evaluation was 22...Qxf6!. Houdini indicates that after 22...Qxf6!, White has a choice of 29 moves that allow White an equal or slightly better position. Here is one of Houdini's top choices: (.18) (26 ply) 22...Qxf6! 23.Ree1 Ng7 24.Rc1 Rxc1 25.Rxc1.

The only commentator that I have found to make note of 22...Qxf6!, was Zukertort himself! In the tournament book, he stated that Black should have retaken with the queen, 22...Qxf6 23.Qe1 Ng7 24.g4, but in his opinion, Black even then would have a difficult game, with White having unlimited time to force a probably irresistible attack.

In the variation given by Zukertort, 22...Qxf6! 23.Qe1 Ng7! 24.g4, Houdini indicates White has a slightly better position: (.21) (26 ply) 24...Bc6 25.Rg3 Rf7 26.f5 gxf5 27.gxf5. As noted by Zukertort, White appears to have a good opportunity for an attack after 22...Qxf6!, but it was clearly Black's best move.

Apr-06-14  Howard: This game was the second one in Reinfield's Chess Masters On Winning Chess.

That's how I first came across it.

Oct-06-15  andrewjsacks: One of the great pleasures of one's chess youth is discovering games like this.
Oct-06-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: <LIFE Master AJ: <moaom> I first discovered this idea ... and wrote Larry Evans when I was a teenager. (He never responded.)>

He did respond:
http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/...

Oct-06-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  piltdown man: Man, what a game! But it's hard to believe that it has never been GOTD before.
Oct-06-15  Bobby Fisch R: Zuckertorte would be correct spelling
Oct-06-15  Mating Net: "The fiend has offered his Queen and it cannot be taken without suffering mate." That was a comment from the peanut gallery after the famous move.
Oct-06-15  psmith: The Winter article linked to by <offramp> shows that 31. Rg8 was first found in 1957...

www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/zukertortblack-
burne.html

Oct-06-15  psmith: That's http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/...
Oct-06-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  kevin86: A Decoy immortal! One of the greatest series of moves ever!
Oct-06-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: <Bobby Fisch R: Zuckertorte would be correct spelling>

On Zukertort's own page I give a fascinating letter-by-letter disquisition on his gravestone.

Oct-06-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  Penguincw: Video analysis of this game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5o....
Oct-06-15  The Kings Domain: Brilliant game by Zukertort. Reminds me of why I've always loved these vintage classics.
Oct-16-15  Knight13: Brilliant combination.
Apr-30-16  litmus: The kibitzes on this game here are almost as entertaining as the game itself!

However, Edward Winter's webpage on this game, also mentioned here by a few people, is far more enlightening. It includes annotations by many great players, including Steinitz, Zukertort, and Blackburne and also by some lesser lights such as J.I. Minchin. Incidentally, Minchin appears to be the one who annoyed Blackburne enough to get a snide mention in two different articles as the "enthusiastic critic who, by-the-bye, was not present, says [the move 28. Qb4] literally electrified the lookers-on ..." Blackburne also graciously included this game in his article (also available on Winter's website) entitled _The Best Games Ever Played at Chess_.

In the modern (i.e., late 20th century and beyond) age, the game has been annotated by several grandmasters. Among these are Kasparov and Burgess/Nunn/Emms in their books. In my humble opinion, the most insightful analysis is by Artur Yusupov in the book _Training for the Tournament Player_. Here you will find not only a commentary on Zukertort's stunning combination but also a wonderful analysis of the opening moves. According to Zukertort, the opening was "conducted by both players with the utmost accuracy;" Yusupov, to the contrary, shows the nuances missed by both Zukertort and Blackburne. True, some of these nuances (such as "superfluous pieces" or "prophylactic moves") would not have been known to players of the 19th century, but they are very instructive nonetheless.

Nov-23-16
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: "I'm the Zukkertaut bitch!!"
Apr-06-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  takchess: These is a game is good for calculation practice for mating nets after move 29. Featured in First chapter Yusopov Chess Evolution 1. first Game in Chapter 1
Apr-19-18  Tal1949: Life is worth living after watching a chess game like this. And the double rooks on c-file always makes me smile. 'Irrelevant!' Zukertort says. 'Just watch me use the diagonals.'
Dec-24-18  HarryP: A beautiful game. At one time, years ago, I considered calling this the greatest game ever played, but, after more consideration, I decided not to. Still, though, I'd have to say it's one of the most beautiful games ever played.
Nov-14-20  jeff6789: 28.Qb4 is a very spectacular move, certainly the high point of the game. Another quieter move I really like in this game is 21.Re3. As black I would really start panicking faced with this move which allows the R at the right moment to swing over to g3 or h3 putting even more pressure on the black K. And after 21.Re3 black has to do something so he strikes out with 21. ...f5 which allows white to open lines and destroy the pawns protecting the black king. Houdini doesn't give 21.Rh3 and I think it is an example of a very good move in practical chess because it allows the opponent the opportunity to go wrong while at the same time continuing to build up the attack even if the computers don't give it as best.
Jan-07-22  SymphonicKnight: Zukertort's Immortal with one of the best deflection sacrifices ever made. A vital game to have seen for the ideas presented, and worthy of reflection.
Jan-13-22  Albertan: This game is analyzed in a video at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4P...

Jul-11-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  Messiah: 28.Qb4!!!!!!!

29.Rf8+!!!!!!!

When I replay this game, life suddenly seems to be beautiful, and I don't want to do anything else ever, just playing chess and thinking about chess.

May-17-23  Whitehat1963: Amazing game!
Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 8)
search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 8 OF 8 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Featured in the Following Game Collections[what is this?]
Zukertort's Immortal Game
from Bionic Brain's Favourite Games by Bionic Brain
Fantastic combinations
by aulero
World's Greatest Chess Games- Nunn Emms Burgess
by Rookpawn
MissGambit's favorite games
by MissGambit
Zukertort's masterpiece
from Honza Cervenka's favorite games by Honza Cervenka
Z's immortal-what a finish!
from 19 th century classics by kevin86
Johannes Hermann Zukertort (1842-1888)
from Player of the day: Notable game. by nikolaas
Game 17
from Garry Kasparov's On My Great Predecessors (1A) by AdrianP
Zukertort's Immortal
from Immortal games by MoonlitKnight
Beethoven conducting a masterpiece
from Tactics and Complications by talchess2003
Zukertort's Immortal
from zac68GameDay by zacpnc68
clifton's favorite games
by clifton
queen offer that cannot be accepted
from keenostuf's favorite games by keenostuf
The "Push-Hands" technique
by nasmichael
Zukertort rocks SO HARD
from paultopia's favorite games by paultopia
Zukertort's best.
from Caïssa's dream world by nikolaas
Entertaining Favorites
by Whitehat1963
Immortals
from Hanada's favorite games by Hanada
something to think about
by tldr3

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC