Rubinstein’s Immortal • Rotlewi vs Rubinstein • 5th All-Russian Masters Tournament • Lodz, Poland (1907) • QGD: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Pillsbury Variation (D40)
Francisco Yepes Barrera
1 min read
Rahul Pabolu - https://unsplash.com/photos/chess-pieces-on-chess-board-T1fvJX0TmLM
The Rotlewi vs Rubinstein clash from the 5th All-Russian Masters Tournament in Łódź (December 26, 1907) stands as Akiba Rubinstein’s Immortal Game, a tactical fireworks display that cemented his genius.
Georg Rotlewi (White), a rising Polish talent, faced Akiba Rubinstein (Black), the Polish maestro who dominated early 20th-century chess with endgame wizardry.
Played in Russian-controlled Poland during a local masters event, Rubinstein swept (+15=2-0).
From a balanced Queen’s Gambit Declined Semi-Tarrasch, Rotlewi’s 19.e5?? unleashed Rubinstein’s genius battery:
22…Rxc3!! 23.gxh4 Rd2!! 24.Qxd2 Bxe4+ 25.Qg2 Rh3! 0-1
- Rxc3!! clears c3 defender.
- Rd2!! pins queen to h2 mate threat.
- Rh3! pins queen to rook on h1; Bxe4 and Rxh2# inevitable.
Kasparov hailed it as “Rubinstein’s Truly ‘Immortal’ Game.” Kmoch coined the name.
