We have talked about some of the most famous Chess games in history like the the Immortal Game and the Opera Game. Now in this post, we’ll analyze the Evergreen Game.
What is the Evergreen Game?
The Evergreen Game is a famous chess game that Adolf Anderssen. The game was played against Jean Dufresne in 1852 and can also be found in the ICOFY database that we talked about before. The name evergreen means something like “Forever Young”.
A few games manage to register into the pages of history. If you are a chess lover, you will recollect some of the most memorable battles that you know. These brilliant games are rare and extremely hard to create another one. But what have you wondered which one is the evergreen game in chess?
The evergreen game is the famous game of chess ever played. It was played between Adolf Anderssen and Jean Dufresne. The game received its title from Wilhelm Steinitz, the first world champion, in 1879. The game holds this title because it is a fascinating game celebrated even today and it never gets old. The game will remain as exciting as ever, even if we look at it a thousand years from now.
So, let’s find more about this classic game in history, better known as the evergreen game.
History of the Game
This celebrated evergreen game was played in Berlin in the year 1852. Anderssen played with white pieces while Dufresne played with black pieces. Both these players enjoyed the reputation as masters of chess. Anderssen was able to checkmate his opponent after sacrificing his queen. He lured his opponent and surprised him with never thought of moves.
The game has been analyzed for almost 170 years now. It was first studied by Howard Staunton, a British chess master, in 1853. In 1879 it was again examined by Wilhelm Steinitz, who is the first official world chess champion. Another great chess champion and author, Saveilly Tartakower, mentions it as the combination second to none in the game’s literature.
The Evergreen Game
Here is the PGN and board position you can go through move-by-move.
The whole game can be replayed above, but I think that the most interesting part of the game are the last moves starting from the position in the diagram below.
1r2k1r1/pbppnp1p/1b3P2/8/Q7/B1PB1q2/P4PPP/3R2K1 w – – 0 21
This is a mate in four exercise. Can you solve it, or do you have to look at the full game?
The mating pattern is rather nice.
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.b4 Bxb4 The Evans Gambit Accepted
5.c3 Ba5 6.d4 exd4 7.O-O This can be considered as the main line
7… d3
( The move 7… d3 is probably not an appropriate response. The moves 7…dxc3, 7…d6 and 7… Nge7 are played more frequently. )
8.Qb3 Qf6 9.e5 Qg6 10.Re1 Nge7 11.Ba3 b5?!
( 11… O-O is far more safer )
12.Qxb5 Rb8 13.Qa4 Bb6 14.Nbd2 Bb7
( 14… O-O can be played again [Not at the previous move] )
15.Ne4 Qf5? 16.Bxd3 Qh5 17.Nf6+
( 17.Nd6+ cxd6 18.exd6 is better )
17… gxf6 18.exf6 Rg8 19.Rad1 Qxf3? 20.Rxe7+ Nxe7? and now the game is over and out 21.Qxd7+ Kxd7 22.Bf5+ Ke8 23.Bd7+ Kf8 24.Bxe7# 1-0
Why is the Evergreen Game so Famous?
The evergreen game is famous because it is an all-time masterpiece. The game displays not only amazing foresight but also intelligent tactical moves. Anderssen showed his ability to attack and forced his opponent to keep the king in the center.
The game is also celebrated because it was won on sacrifice. Anderseen seized a great initiative when the opponent his opponent chooses not to castle. In addition, Anderssen was the best player in the world at that time. He was playing against Dufresne, who was the most celebrated chess author in the world. So, it was a battle between two giants in the world on chess.
The Classic Play – Evan’s Gambit
The game opens with the oldest openings in chess and elaborates into Evan’s Gambit. It is the most aggressive play move in chess, which Kasparov and Fisher have also used. Evan’s gambit is the variation in which white pieces play bishop to c-4 in the third move. The move is named after William Davies Evans, who first played this chess move in 1827.
A gambit is when the player sacrifices a pawn for a better position. However, if the player fails to take advantage, it becomes a heavy penalty for him. The gambit aims to win the game or come in an advantageous position over the opponent.
Anderseen used the same principle of gambit. After a fiery start, the battle begins to dominate the centerboard, which is the basic principle of chess. Anderssen plays the trick and sacrifices the queen to his advantage. Despite losing the queen, Anderseen establishes himself in a winning position. His out-of-the-box moves and risk-taking ability with foresight make this game evergreen.
Takeaway Lessons
If you are a chess player, there is a lot to learn from this evergreen game. Here are a few lessons for all chess players.
1. Don’t delay Castling
If a castle is a losing move in the early game, you should delay. Delay is acceptable if there is something urgent. However, as a principle of chess, you should castle early. If we analyze this classic evergreen game, we found Dufresne has a chance to castle, but he opted to delay it. It led to falling into the gambit and losing with a double-check.
2. A sacrifice can be a winning move
If you see your opponent giving up his pawn or any other piece easily, don’t be in a hurry to take it. We all must remember that materials are traded to get into a commanding position. In this evergreen game initially, In this game, we see how Anderseen trades his night and finally his queen to get into a winning position. The basic principle is to be in central control and analyze future moves before committing.
3. The double check
The double-check was the most powerful bludgeon. It does not occur by accident but is done by refinement, planning, and precision in moves. Anderseen lured his opponent in the gambit, luring him to take the queen. Dufresne fell into the trap and resulted in a double-check.
4. Developing Bishop
Most of the players are obsessed with the queen and knights. We all agree these two are powerful resources and need to be played wisely. However, most of the players undermine the importance of the bishop. Anderseen demonstrated defending and developing moves in e-5 and then sets bishops in central diagonals of attack. It was the most crucial strategy of the game resulting in victory.
5. Using Common Sense
Common sense applies everywhere, including the game of chess. The best moves are having an impervious defense with a strong center. The counterattack must be well thought of; at times, it opens up your defense. In addition, intermediatory sacrifices are common. Any move that gives you an easy piece must be analyzed. In this game, Dufresne somehow kept his defense exposed. He was all out for counterattack and did not use his common sense while counterattacking.
Conclusion
All those who have annotated the game and analyzed it move by the move will surely appreciate it. The sheer brilliance and Anderseen’s foresight make this an evergreen game of chess. Now we all know why this game of chess is important for all chess enthusiasts and applying Evan’s Gambit.
Undoubtedly this particular game is the evergreen game and will remain the same forever. What a beautiful finish to a fantastic game! We hope this amazing game inspires you.
I hope this article on the Evergeen Game informed you of everything you wanted to know about it.
Do you like games like this? If you did, you might be interested in looking at more of the most famous Chess games like the Immortal Game, the Opera Game.