The Evergreen Game
September 2024 - Solved 134🧩 Times
Deep inside the expanding industrial heart of Prussia, Adolf Anderssen was settling down in Jean Dufresne’s drawing room for a social evening of intellectual battle. Around him, the gentle hum of academic discussion delicately wove through the air. Dark wooden shelves lined with thick, rugged books stood stoutly against the tall walls alongside ornate portraits and rolling, biedermeier landscapes. Gas lamps flickered softly in the corners, saturating the scene in a comforting golden glow. As Anderssen slowly leant forwards to play the first move, his peers held their breath, all attention now drawn to the checkered wooden board.
Welcome to The Evergreen Game.
Adolph Anderssen.
Born in Breslau, 1818, Adolf Anderssen was a German chess master known for his inspiring sacrificial attacking style of play. Originating from humble beginnings, Anderssen learnt to play chess at the age of 9. By the time he was at university, he was fascinated with chess puzzles, publishing Aufgabe fĂĽr Schachspieler ("Task for chess players") in 1842.
Unlike most grandmasters, Anderssen’s chess development was rather slow, largely because he didn’t possess the time or the money to play matches against top players. He drew his first game with a professional player at the age of 30, and his career reached its crescendo in 1851, where he won the London International Tournament, the first ever international chess tournament.
This game is a potent demonstration of Anderssen’s creative vision, and his sharp eye for beautiful forcing combinations of moves.
Can you find the checkmate, as Anderssen did in 1852?
a
8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
SOLVED
a
8
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
2
2
a
1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
1
SOLVED
Analysis