Francisco Yepes Barrera 
Anastassia Anufrieva - https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-set-of-chess-pieces-EHzVStpohCg
The game took place during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2013 in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, in Round 4, where Levon Aronian, one of the top Armenian grandmasters, faced the reigning former World Champion Viswanathan Anand. Anand, known for his deep opening preparation and intuitive tactical play, was Black, and Aronian, a player famous for his creative and aggressive style, was White. This match is often called “Anand’s Immortal” because of the brilliant combination and daring sacrifices that led to a decisive attack on the White king.
The opening chosen was the Semi-Slav Defense, Meran Variation (ECO D47), a highly theoretical line with rich possibilities for both sides. The game started with 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 e6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 dxc4 7. Bxc4 b5 8. Bd3 Bd6 9. O-O O-O 10. Qc2 Bb7. Both sides developed naturally, but Anand was already setting the stage for a dynamic imbalance.
On move 12, 12. Ng5 c5, Black begins a tactical storm. The knight jump to g5 is met with Anand’s immediate challenge, striking at the center and preparing for a kingside initiative. The critical moment comes with 13. Nxh7 Ng4 14. f4 cxd4 15. exd4 Bc5 16. Be2 Nde5 — a sequence where Anand sacrifices material for rapid development and open lines towards the White king. Here, the tension escalates dramatically: White’s knight ventures into the Black camp, but Anand’s precise coordination of Queen, Bishop, and Knights begins to tell a story of inevitability.
White tries to consolidate, but Anand’s tactical vision is relentless. The key combination unfolds with 17. Bxg4 Bxd4+ 18. Kh1 Nxg4 19. Nxf8 f5. Black has sacrificed material but gains complete control over the open files and diagonals. The Bishop on d4 and the Knight on g4 dominate White’s position, and the Queen and Rooks are ready to join the assault.
Anand’s play demonstrates a textbook example of modern attacking chess: dynamic sacrifices, piece coordination, and central control. Moves like 20. Ng6 Qf6 21. h3 Qxg6 22. Qe2 Qh5 23. Qd3 Be3 show how quickly Black’s initiative can translate into threats that are impossible to meet without losing material or positional integrity.
Eventually, White collapses under the pressure, and Anand’s precise calculation and piece activity secure a crushing victory in just 23 moves. Despite being a relatively short game, the combination is reminiscent of classical attacking chess, showing that a modern player can still achieve an “immortal” game in the 21st century.
