The Evergreen Game
Anderssen's second masterpiece features another stunning attack with sacrifices that remain fresh and instructive after 170 years.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Adolf Anderssen vs Jean Dufresne (1852)
Event: Berlin casual game | Result: 1-0
Professor Archer says: If the Immortal Game is Anderssen's symphony, the Evergreen Game is his concerto. It is more refined, more nuanced, and in many ways more instructive. The sacrifices here are not just spectacular — they are necessary. That is what makes this game evergreen: it teaches you something new every time you revisit it.
Anderssen's Other Masterpiece
Just one year after playing the Immortal Game, Adolf Anderssen produced another gem that has stood the test of time. Playing against Jean Dufresne in a casual game in Berlin, Anderssen once again demonstrated his extraordinary tactical vision with a combination that culminates in a stunning queen sacrifice.
Unlike the Immortal Game, which can feel somewhat chaotic, the Evergreen Game has a logical flow that makes it particularly instructive. Anderssen's sacrifices build upon each other in a way that feels almost inevitable once you understand the underlying ideas. This is why the game was named "evergreen" — its beauty never fades.
The Evans Gambit
Anderssen opened with the Evans Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4), one of the most aggressive openings of the Romantic era. By sacrificing a pawn, White gains time and central control while Black's bishop is pushed around.
Dufresne accepted the gambit and tried to hold onto his extra pawn, but this cost him development time. By the middlegame, Anderssen had a massive lead in piece activity, which he converted into a direct attack on the Black king.
After 10. Re1 — White has strong central control and active piece play.
The Combination Unfolds
The decisive phase began when Anderssen found a way to blast open lines to the Black king. The combination involved a series of sacrifices that dismantled Black's defenses layer by layer. Each sacrifice forced Black to respond in a way that opened new lines of attack.
The key moment came when Anderssen played a stunning queen sacrifice, offering his most powerful piece to draw the enemy king into a mating net. The calculation required was extraordinary, as the mating sequence stretched several moves into the future and required seeing through multiple defensive tries.
What makes this combination superior to many tactical fireworks is that every sacrifice was the only winning move. Anderssen was not choosing between several good options — he found the one precise path through the complications.
Why It Remains "Evergreen"
The Evergreen Game has earned its name because it teaches principles that never go out of date. The importance of piece activity over material, the power of open lines, the concept of accumulated small advantages leading to a decisive combination — all of these ideas are as relevant today as they were in 1852.
Modern engine analysis has confirmed that Anderssen's combination was objectively correct, which is remarkable given that he calculated it entirely in his head without any computational assistance. The game represents a peak of human chess creativity that continues to inspire players at all levels.
The Climax
In the final sequence, Anderssen's pieces converged on the Black king from all directions. The queen sacrifice cleared the path for a discovered double check, and the mating net was inescapable. The geometry of the final combination — with pieces crisscrossing the board in coordinated attack — is something you will find yourself remembering in your own games when similar patterns arise.
White's pieces are beautifully coordinated for the final assault.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Evergreen Game considered a masterpiece?
The Evergreen Game is considered a masterpiece because Anderssen's sacrifices build upon each other with logical precision, culminating in a stunning queen sacrifice and forced checkmate. Modern engine analysis has confirmed the combination was objectively correct, making it both beautiful and sound.
What opening was played in Anderssen vs Dufresne?
Anderssen opened with the Evans Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4), one of the most aggressive openings of the Romantic era. By sacrificing a pawn, White gained time and central control.
Who won the Evergreen Game?
Adolf Anderssen won the Evergreen Game against Jean Dufresne in a casual game in Berlin in 1852. The game was named 'evergreen' because its beauty and instructive value never fade.
What key tactic or theme decided the Evergreen Game?
The game was decided by a series of layered sacrifices culminating in a queen sacrifice that set up a discovered double check and an inescapable mating net. Every sacrifice was the only winning move, making the combination both necessary and brilliant.
Professor Archer says: I call the Evergreen Game the ultimate test of your chess vision. If you can follow Anderssen's combination and understand why each sacrifice works, you have reached a level of tactical maturity that will serve you well in your own games. Do not rush through it. Sit with each move.
Quick Quiz
What opening did Anderssen use in the Evergreen Game?
- The King's Gambit - Anderssen used the King's Gambit in the Immortal Game. The Evergreen Game featured the Evans Gambit (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. b4).
- The Evans Gambit (Correct) - Correct. The Evans Gambit sacrifices a pawn with 4. b4 to gain time and central control. It was one of the most popular aggressive openings of the Romantic era.
- The Scotch Game - The Scotch Game involves 3. d4, not 3. Bc4 followed by 4. b4. The Evergreen Game used the Evans Gambit.
- The Italian Game without a gambit - While the Evans Gambit arises from the Italian Game setup (Bc4 and Bc5), it specifically adds the b4 pawn sacrifice, making it a gambit.