Adolf Anderssen
A 19th-century chess genius known for his dazzling, sacrificial attacks, considered the world's strongest player before the era of official championships.
1818–1879 (age 61)·German chess master·Birthday: July 6
Biography
Adolf Anderssen was a mild-mannered mathematics professor from Breslau who, across the chessboard, became a daring artist of destruction. His reign at the top of the chess world began in earnest at the first modern international tournament in London in 1851, where his victory announced a new, romantic style of play. Anderssen's games were not mere contests; they were thrilling spectacles of imagination, famous for bold sacrifices of major pieces to deliver checkmate. His 'Immortal Game' and 'Evergreen Game' remain required study for their breathtaking beauty. Though he was later defeated by the more precise, modern styles of Paul Morphy and Wilhelm Steinitz, Anderssen never faded. He captured another major title in London in 1862 and remained a formidable competitor into his later years. His legacy is that of chess's great romantic, a player for whom the brilliant combination was the ultimate goal, inspiring generations to see the game as an art form.
#1 When Adolf Was Born
The biggest hits of 1818
Adolf's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1818Born
1823Started school
1831Became a teenager
1834Could drive
1836Could vote
1839Turned 21
1848Turned 30
1858Turned 40
1868Turned 50
President: Andrew Johnson
1878Turned 60
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
1879Died at 61
President: Rutherford B. Hayes
Key Achievements
- Won the first major international chess tournament in London, 1851, establishing himself as the world's leading player.
- Authored two of the most famous chess games in history: the 'Immortal Game' (1851) and the 'Evergreen Game' (1852).
- Secured another decisive victory at the London 1862 tournament, reaffirming his elite status a decade after his first triumph.
Did You Know?
He was a full-time professor of mathematics at the Breslau University for most of his life.
The famous 'Immortal Game' was actually a casual game played against Lionel Kieseritzky, not part of the London tournament.
He was known for his exceptional kindness and sportsmanship, even in defeat.
“A game is rarely lost by one move only; mostly it is the consequence of a series of minor inaccuracies.”
