The games that changed chess.
Annotated walkthroughs of the historical games still studied today, with the full PGN and the moments that made each one famous.
- History
Deep Blue vs. Kasparov: The 1996 and 1997 Matches That Changed Chess Forever
In 1996, Deep Blue became the first computer to win a game against the reigning world champion. In 1997, it won the match. Kasparov cried foul. IBM retired the machine. What actually happened.
- Games
The Evergreen Game: Anderssen's Queen Sacrifice That Never Gets Old
Anderssen vs. Dufresne, Berlin 1852: the Evans Gambit where White sacrificed both rooks and then his queen to force checkmate. Wilhelm Steinitz called it 'the Evergreen', it's been proving him right ever since.
- Games
The Game of the Century: Fischer at 13 Sacrifices His Queen and Wins
Fischer vs. Byrne, New York 1956: a 13-year-old plays 17...Be6!!, lets his queen be taken, and still wins. Hans Kmoch called it 'The Game of the Century' in Chess Review magazine. He was right.
- History
History of Chess: From 6th-Century India to the Modern Game
Chess began as chaturanga in 6th-century India, spread through Persia and the Arab world, reached Europe in the 9th century, and acquired its modern rules, including the powerful queen, in 15th-century Spain. Here's how the game became chess.
- Games
The Immortal Game: Anderssen's Sacrifices That Defined Chess Beauty
Anderssen vs. Kieseritzky, London 1851: the casual game where White gave up both rooks, a bishop, and the queen and still won. Why this 175-year-old game is still the standard for brilliancy.
- Games
The Opera Game: Paul Morphy's Masterpiece Against the Duke of Brunswick
Morphy vs. Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard, Paris Opera 1858. White sacrificed a bishop, a rook, and delivered checkmate in 17 moves against two opponents consulting together. The most famous casual game in chess history, played in a box at the Paris Opera.