Łódź · 1907
Rubinstein’s Immortal
Gersz Rotlewi vs. Akiba Rubinstein — Rubinstein leaves his queen hanging and uses rooks and bishops to break White's defence.
Moves · tap to jump
0/50Use ← → keys to step through the game
Starting position
Ready
Press Auto-play to watch the game, or step move by move.
Main lesson
Remove and overload defenders
Lesson notes
Moves 1–10 — develop with purpose
- Both sides develop, but White spends extra time with the queen and queenside pawns.
Moves 11–16 — activate the bishops
- Black opens the centre and points both bishops towards the white king.
Moves 17–21 — invite every piece
- Knight, queen and rook join before any sacrifice.
Moves 22–25 — remove the defenders
- 22...Rxc3 removes a key defender and leaves the queen hanging for a calculated attack.
What your student should learn
- Find defenders that guard more than one task.
- Delay sacrifices until your pieces are active.
- Use bishops on long diagonals against a king.
- Calculate forcing replies before giving up material.
Rules to remember
- Rule 1Ask what every defender protects.
- Rule 2A sacrifice must be followed by forcing moves.
- Rule 3Long-range bishops become deadly when lines open.
Mini tournament checklist
- ✓ Which defender holds the position together?
- ✓ Are my bishops and rooks active?
- ✓ Can I continue with checks or mate threats?
- ✓ Have I calculated every forcing reply?
Run through this list before you start an attack in a real game. Mostly yes means look for tactics; otherwise improve one more piece first.
Coach's challenge
Stop after 22.g3. Ask the student to explain why Black can ignore the attacked queen and play 22...Rxc3.
Full move list
Development and the Centre
Active Pieces
Pressure on the King
Removing the Defenders
Note: The recorded game ends with resignation after 25...Rh3. No mating continuation was played.