Famous Chess Game: Kasparov vs Topalov 1999 (Kasparov's Immortal)

In what is arguably the greatest chess match ever played, Kasparov shows why he is considered to be the best chess player of all time in his "Immortal" game. There are so many amazing moves I lost count. Hopefully you learn as much from the game as I did studying it.
www.thechesswebsite.com
Chess Software used in the video can be found at www.chesscentral.com and www.chessok.com

[@Foxhound3857]

I'll bet there's a game where Kasparov sacrificed his King and still won.

[@Danny_21]

Haha. Nobody gets to capture Kings in Chess.

[@thy7917]

use your brain buddy considering you're playing chess.

[@Jurasim1]

Why white pieces always move first?

[@joshcourt6744]

@@Jurasim1 privilege, it's everywhere these days

[@bongoloboy3800]

@@Danny_21 that's the joke

[@buzzjassawalla8958]

I finally beat my dad at chess, I know this has nothing to do with the video but i feel so happy

[@buckethattrick9443]

They should make a guide to beating your dad at chess.

[@edlanfelixmarcaida4126]

I know that book it is about checkmate patterns

[@jawneyshaker]

Buzz Jassawalla im still trying after 30 years lol. He always win with a pawn. 2hr game

[@dondorward5678]

dont kid yourself--dad let you win........

[@r0yce]

This reminds me of the first time I beat my dad in chess. He taught me chess..... He was like.... The best to me... Although later I realized he couldn't play well enough. But... Well.... It was my first major achievement....

[@Hakkisern]

just watched all 24 minutes of this at 5 AM.I don't even fucking know how to play chess

[@elzoro8604]

i thought i was the only one .. i do know how to play chess tho

[@mouryachandra7175]

ayyyyyyyyy lmao

[@genaricTallGuy]

Hakkisern #smokeweedeveryday

[@sysyphosliebtsteine]

it´s pretty easy and fun to play you should check out

[@thicc_c3435]

Idk either xD

[@itzhaksmurfy]

When I sacrifice a piece it almost never goes out as planned 😂 ☠️☠️☠️

[@kithinga]

Dont sacrifice to beginners it never works out..

[@oskarbohlander560]

hahaha

[@mildchaos6037]

I usually just end up sacrificing my King. Sadly that’s when the game ends

[@wallabror]

Apparently everyone in the comments are chess masters who would have won the game in Topalovs place easily

[@max101victory]

Pretty much

[@jamesoshea4702]

Hindsight is the clearest sight there is.

[@MrCubFan415]

James O'Shea Hindsight is 20/20

[@chessplaychannel2836]

Never give up

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

Duh! Yeah!

[@skahler]

It is insane how far ahead these guys think

[@marek7345]

Shaun Kahler only white...

[@alexanderbutler2989]

Not even. They can envision sequences of checks leading to mate but with minor piece play its so much more unpredictable. They just play really strong fundamental chess. First one to blunder... Loses.

[@shaloamnenja12yearsago29]

This is fundamental play, no need to think ahead 10 moves.

[@gonzalo4658]

It is

[@jakehixon4073]

Shaun Kahler that’s the thing. I can think about 3-4 moves ahead which helps me beat most average players but they think 6-7 or maybe. moves ahead which is what differentiates them.

[@notspacekeeper]

I think this game is an excellent demonstration of the strategy of denying your opponent any opportunity to set the pace. The entire game was Kasparov's, almost every move by Topalov was a response.

[@bigmoneyshmoneymaker7697]

That’s usually how chess goes for the player who is white lol

[@nathanielbrown1382]

😅Great game Garry Fischer like

[@nathanielbrown1382]

Fischer like play total domination!!!

[@JanBargeman]

I love it when he says: "Once Topalov realized that he's playing Kasparov and Kasparov has a queen, he went ahead and resigned in this situation." The beautifully threatening meaning behind "and Kasparov has a queen", I love it.

[@wrlk636]

Reading this gave me goosebumps.

[@Longtack55]

Understatement.

[@Boss_Tanaka]

Jan Bargeman I d be more like ‘’When l realized l m playing Kasparov, I resigned’’

[@chrislake9222]

That rook sacrifice was genius... It's almost like he could see the future

[@habibrahimi5172]

Hey bro u commented this 5 years ago. I’m just wondering how it’s going for you right now, in 2019?

[@macdeep8523]

20.55 check with rook would hv changed the match

[@chessplaychannel2836]

Thats how it is in chess if you sacrifice you better know why you do it. Make the opponent think twice.

[@tasimhalabaku5417]

no, was very wrong, if I will played easily can bit GK

[@chrislake9222]

@@habibrahimi5172 are you asking me?

[@herbalistathari]

I met kasparov in 2003 in Rotterdam the Netherlands, i was playing ches by then for more then 45 years, so i played against him. I ended up stalemating myself. I actually was winning and until this day i blame myself. Then my alarm clock went off and i woke up.

[@justinwright8047]

So brilliant!!! EVERY MOVEEE it took the thorough explanation for me to even begin to comprehend his moves. He was always 100 moves ahead, the sacrifices for the long run, God!! Just brilliant

[@yichern4351]

You're right, Justin wright

[@chi111y]

Yeah I wish I could play an untimed chess match so I could think moves through

[@satyamvirat3489]

Yeh brilliant

[@georgbaharov4575]

No doubt that Kasparov is a chess genious, but don't you think that he "got" some help from his oponent? Like the move when the black's dark square bishop took the white's black square bishop? What was the purpose of this. He should have done the castle instead and who knows what the game's outcome would have been.

[@TheFatbip]

Watching famous chess games has helped me improve so much. Out of all the things I have done to improve it seems that this is the best way.

[@zulqarnain9955]

Hey I'm looking for tips. I've been playing against one person for a long time and even tho I mostly win against that one person, I still don't know how to play good. I played online against random players and they effortlessly beat me. I mean come on! I may be bad but the way they took my pieces I was speechless. Please give me some tips. What should you do. What shouldn't. Maybe even generalize a bit. I'm not looking to become the best player on the planet. Just good enough to somewhat give other people a tough time.

[@davidcopson5800]

Hey, you look a bit like Mozart there.

[@gonzalo4658]

David Copson a fat biT

[@gonzalo4658]

haha ur name

[@JodyJody1234]

Hi Mozart

[@Nocuras]

I love the ending "...then Topalov realized he was playing Kasparov and Kasparov had a queen..."

[@killasudds]

Wow I learned to play at a young age lost interest and stopped playing , just recently a couple weeks ago my brother died from complications due to diabetes he taught chess to at risk young men in Chicago and Stateville Penitentiary he has helped to turn the life around of many young men by merely teaching them to think, develop and execute. I want this important work to continue so I am diving in to learn to play again. This game was fantastic Kasparov was thinking 5 to 6 moves ahead, this game really shows greatness not only did he master the game of chess but this is an indication of how well he knew his opponent, he knew how he would react and took advantage of his aggressive style of play. I really liked the narration and your slowing down the video to concentrate on key moves.

[@kingscrusher]

The "King Hunt" seems to be one of the main undertones of the more classic "Immortal games", and this game has one of the greatest King Hunts ever.

[@Kobs.A]

Hi

[@aguywitharandomname]

6 YEAR COMMENT WITH VERIFICATION MARK

[@josebenjamincanejagonzalez9618]

@@aguywitharandomname MI MO 9P Y O

[@Scott84598]

I really don't play chess much, but watching the best ever play you really learn a lot.

[@Bixbeat]

My god, it hurts my brain just to think about all these amazing moves. As a novice player I have had some buildup of my pieces, but just looking at the way they develop their pieces into the end-game is just brilliant.

[@FellTheSky]

i hope 1.4 million views was enough to buy a new mic.

[@nicolesarias6162]

ur a savage bro 😂😂😂

[@backyard282]

lol

[@macawesomejtg5118]

haha

[@YodatheJedi12]

His recent videos don't have the "hissing" sound.

[@SiwakSerg]

18:49 Topalov said that he was thinking about the same best move that Kasparov suggested, but he was so curious about what would come next after he takes on d4 so he decided to continue.

[@BREAKocean]

Curiosity killed the cat

[@mokkapayyenkalis4108]

dedear leyy custom ..reappear ..

[@paawansagar8976]

Ron Weasley kicks both players ass

[@gasparkhache3681]

I was taking a Ron Weasley in the bathroom while reading this.

[@FreshHas]

+Paawan Sagar Ron Weasley played the Scandinavian defence though!

[@thy7917]

+Paawan Sagar you mean "kiss"?

[@1GUNJAM1]

+Paawan Sagar conor mcgregor kicks your and Rons ass at the same time with one foot

[@DIYTechnician]

Thanks for the tips. The narration and explanation of each of the moves is really helpful. Big like here.

[@brodyoxnard9370]

love this game. too competitive over long periods in a small space - i'm a tennis player. but i must say how much you've taught me an old man . thank you!

[@ericfrancois320]

He really thinks this game is better than Ronald Weasley's game his first year at Hogwarts?!

[@burnsmac4187]

That's a Wizard's chess tho

[@teluguaudiostories5676]

Eric Francois do u watch harry potter

[@supercool1312]

saritha m no he fucking saw that in new hope

[@jackbenimble99999]

Best chess comment ever :)

[@oldbird4601]

😂

[@craZivn]

What an excellent video, loved the commentary and explanation of the moves because without that I would have been lost in the depth of some of the strategies. Really enjoyed following the game. Subscribed!

[@alexobed3184]

That was a really brilliant exposition. As an advanced novice chess player, I thank you! I feel like I "leveled up" in chess theory examining this one game because of you. Thanks again.

[@DampLover]

Kasparov made a blunder (as he said himself, that sacrifice gave his opponent a good chance to get a knight for free) but at the same time Topalov made it :) its amazing to see that one move can be so important for the whole game!

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

I ran this through a computer. Topalov had a draw at best. The opening is the perfect Pirc.

[@mickypoo4622]

A very informative commentary. Many thanks for your considered, knowledgable and vivid explanation. Please keep up the good work.

[@saurabherande8198]

Your detailed information on each move is really very helpful. Thank you. 👍👍

[@Mtlbro6]

Your videos are amazing. It's easy to see the board and you are entertaining to listen to

[@landrover1012]

a killer game with a lot of ideas and tactics to learn from,definately a grandmasters game.

[@jka2998]

Thank you for the wonderful narration between!

[@nikizaykov]

Very good video man, I appreciate your efforts to showing us

[@mintoo2cool]

how did kasporov so confidently sacrifice his rook and make the other rook go from e1 to e7 ? genius move! I would have never done such a move. Genius!

[@jackbenimble99999]

I wouldn't even have looked at the rook sacrifice, wtf.

[@oldoriginales8668]

Lets play chess.com

[@Brian-wj7gb]

Wow, what an exciting game. Thank you for this great commentary. It is simply epic.

[@chesswebsite]

Thanks Brian.

[@oldoriginales8668]

Chess games in general with analytical search are learning, but with your commentary a logical chess minded study has taken place. Thanks Kevin

[@thanos2101]

Genius game by Kasparov!! Topalov also provided me with some amazing strategies. Overall amazing game to study!

[@johnhessom1513]

Great commentary, great game! Unbelievable tactics and ending

[@davidjeza8451]

Amazing game. Great commentary. Thank for the video!

[@chesswebsite]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@himv.4685]

this is GREAT! nice commentary. great job studying this interesting game and i get something from this video. :)

[@finehellox4699]

This by far, was the most intense match pf all time!

[@peterstark9484]

One of the great losses to humanity is that Kasparov and Fischer did not get to play.

[@quinellaonyt3039]

Damn that move after Kasparov rook sacrifice was so intense

[@setsail3726]

one of the fantastic 24 minute of my life tnx for sharing this

[@MrMartinmozz]

That was so interesting, tyvm! :)

[@rupertpupkin8508]

I love it when random KZbin commenters second-guess moves made by some of the greatest players ever.

[@TheLordoftheRavens]

+StrangeDeimos I was actually thinking the same thing.

[@TheLordoftheRavens]

StrangeDeimos Ah, ok

[@adatta3046]

And as they should; Topalov clearly did not play perfect, otherwise he would have not lost. A good chess player should investigate where his mistakes were; after all post game analysis (possibly assisted by an engine) is far easier than analysis over the board.

[@ChessskillBlogspot]

It's sorta like a C Class player creating a website and a bunch of videos where he can combine what masters say with engine analysis and his own limited understanding.

[@mr.orca3251]

mabe kuz they have a question about a move that wasn't answered in the video?

[@atribecalledcat]

Kasparov played insane moves that I NEVER predict even if someone would have told me what piece to play each time. ASTONISHING

[@AncientChess]

Thanks, very enjoyable commentary!

[@SandroMassarani]

Great commentary. Thanks!

[@Metagross31]

After the Rook was sacrificed for the pawn, i really was like WHAT!!!! But after some more moves i just clapped my hands and had the desire to bow to Kasparov!!

[@Metagross31]

@indp. iv I wouldn't call it a religion, but I am still a fan :D

[@jasper5016]

this game shows why Kasparov is great.

[@michaelthomheadley]

I got goosebumps watching this from how great the players are.... cool

[@loganmoore8633]

Thank you so much for this simple explanation

[@chessfinesse]

That is poetry. It deserves the title "Immortal Game".

[@davidcopson5800]

@jqbtube But in the heat of battle these things are not found. Tal was very successful over the board but his tactics and sacrifices were not always sound. Hindsight (aided by computers these days) is a wonderful thing.

[@leibnitz2357]

Perfect. Kasparov was the best in his time!

[@burnsmac4187]

Nice match. Thanks for the video.

[@eamnq]

I loved it! Thanks and I did subscribe!

[@user-ot1kt1sl3g]

Kasparov was always one of the best chess players. And he proved it one more time in this game.

[@TrevorFitz]

Why doesn't Topalov capture Kasparov's queen with HIS queen BEFORE then capturing the "sacrificed" rook?

[@ayushtalesara9921]

Yeah that would've worked too. You see rook to d1 at 20:55 would also result in mate.

[@IlyasArinov]

Great video, thanks.

[@gildardomolina308]

Thank you master great game greetings from Colombia.

[@GINSHINKZLs]

Lol I don't play chess and I have no idea what's going on

[@MsArinya]

+GINSHINKZL s The rules are easy, but being that good is not.

[@GINSHINKZLs]

aeswing1 I just know the moveset lmao. I havent touched a chessboard in ~10 years :o

[@715SF]

+GINSHINKZL s :OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@BrunoCCoutinho]

+GINSHINKZL s In warfare it is equivalent to sacrifice you best troops so that put your opponent in a bad but not hopeless position in the short term, and you don't kill any of his troops. Nevertheless, after that move, you could predict that your opponent would lose after 5 years.

[@michaelbauers8800]

+GINSHINKZL s Great game, you should get online and play

[@knives2718]

I did not learn quite a bit. I freakin' learned a LOT!

[@Crisisdarkness]

I have played chess again, watching this video has helped me improve my personal strategy, I love this game, each game is very unique, and it makes you think a lot

[@Catchamouse1]

I had to switch to 2x speed, because it would be boring and I'm from Czech Republic! Very well played, commentary very good, I enjoyed it. :)

[@ahneemoney069]

Gotta love youtube, every comment is either "Hurr nerds" or people trying to make suggestions on how these 2 grandmasters could improve their game....

[@Idk-bw3ib]

ahneemoney069 damn 5 years has passed , u alive man ?

[@numberonep5404]

"Once he realised he was playing Kasparov, and that kasparov had a queen he resigned" Epic hahah x)

[@mthunzisetlaba8530]

Awesome analysis

[@jesuswillreturnasathiefont6270]

This is a great game .. I just started to really dig deep into chess I love the game and great upload.

[@sorincezar]

at 20:21 why did black moved bishop to b7 and not rook to d6? thankx

[@flewerfun]

Sorin Cezar Crăcană This is an example of a rook being overloaded : it has to watch over d5 to protect the queen and a6 to prevent mate. If Rd6, then Kb2 is a killer (the plan is to sacrifice the queen on b3 to play cxb3, mate). If black pins the queen via Qd4, then the took is overloaded so you play Qxd4. The rook cannot take otherwise it is mate on a6.

[@edursulum1413]

Good explanation.

[@johnny_pilot]

+flewerfun: Why wasn't Kb2 played after Bb7 anyway?

[@saatviksannuthi4326]

Johnny P because QD4 would be a pin and white doesn't want to exchange queens

[@igunzOsick]

What I'm trying to figure out is at what point was topalov completely screwed? It's definitely before 20:00. This game in amazing, kasparov is an absolute monster.

[@kosmosyche]

I think it's around 0:49 mark, when Kasparov decides to win this game.

[@xx3868]

This is a great example of looking at the big picture and sacrificing for the end game

[@NaughtySteyleZ]

I love your commentary and must say kasparov is a genius!

[@shugalynn2009]

IDK WHAT IM DOING IM JUST TRYING TO WIN THIS IMESSAGE GAME

[@brucewillis542]

Topalov should have traded queens at 21:00 by moving his rook to d1, instead of taking the pawn.

[@brucewillis542]

@Wretchskull I am a GM

[@cahallo5964]

Holy fuck Bruce Willis from Die Hard is teaching us chess

[@raid3rrdr98]

Beautiful explanation,thanks

[@dhyanais]

I did enjoy this video very much.

[@benjaminrazey]

at 20:07, why did Topalov not take Pawn at D5 with his bishop? Would have had the same effect as the queen but kept the pressure on the rook at E7?

[@CocaC]

+Benjamin Razey cause white moves Kb2 threatening mate with the following move Qb3+ if Black Bishop takes then mate with pawn on c2. There is nothing black can do after that. but if Qxd5 and then if white Kb2 then black Qd4 pins the Queen and prevents mate

[@benjaminrazey]

Or even better, Knight to D5, thus removing the possibility of King to B2 as it would result in the loss of his queen

[@LegitosaurusRex]

+Benjamin Razey Nope, that allows Qb3#.

[@Supdude.]

Did anyone else look up the definition of "prophylactic"?

[@prescotthampton4926]

nopeeeeeeeee

[@therapture87]

no

[@overlandpark6me]

The term also means preventative measure., which is how he uses it in this video

[@Tkotrys]

No, but its not a bad thing that you had too. Keep looking things up

[@mreverly]

a superdude wouldn't have to look up this word.

[@chessfun9344]

thanks for useful videos

[@cameron7957]

Great analysis!

[@emanuilkostadinov6214]

At 21:03 Would it not be a better move for Topalov Rxd1+ and after the king moves to b2 he can trade off the queens and be up in material?

[@word20]

At 20:59 and 21:03 Topalov could make Rd1! and after Kb2 then Qd4+! and white is forced exchange the queens and black is a rook up

[@cummychris]

After Rd4, Kasparov would go for Bd7, threaten a checkmate, and force black Rd7, then white would Rd7. If black goes Ra8 to prevent checkmate, white can then f7 and h7 clearing a path for the white pawns.

[@pbissama1990]

jqbtube Even Rf7 is not the right option as Black's Rd6 prevents Be6. The winning moves for white after the Q exchange would be : Rb6 Ra8 ; Bc8 Rb1+ ; Kb1 Ka3 ;Ra6+ Ra6 ; Ba6 Kb4. and white is a bishop up. After Bc8 white threatens Ba6 followed by Bb5#.

[@pbissama1990]

jqbtube i stand corrected

[@ojsojs6004]

Kasparov is the greatest chess player of all time. He meet many criteria. He defended his title many times. He won many strong tournaments. He is world number 1 for more than 20 years. Has good records against the top players of his time. Second to Carlsen has the highest elo rating achived in history.

[@michaelbauers8800]

+Akira Toriko I see what you did there. You cleverly led the reader to decide it's probably Magnus who will usurp Kasparov as the greatest player of all time...maybe :)

[@Smirnoff44]

brilliant video great commentary as well ,very interesting indeed

[@alexweisstrost]

excellent explanation, thank you

[@bajjilllion]

At 20:25 couldn't black have just move rook d8 to d6 to protect?

[@joelcalitna9759]

same thinking.

[@what9063]

I was thinking at 23:57 he could have used his rook to give a check the move his king and pawn towards a checkmate

[@minhbinh1757]

If black plays Rd6, then white'll play Rxa6, and after the black rook takes back the move Kb2 guarantees a win for white

[@7u6e]

Had the same idea. But according to computer in this case there'll be checkmate in 6 moves (white wins) no matter how black plays. So Topalov as a great player calculated it and made the move recommended by computer - bishop to B7.

[@sagheysajeevan6958]

at 21:07 why couldnt black just check with his rook on d1 followed by Qd4?

[@penissjoe4289]

you are right , Rd1 is the best move but after changing queens and Rxf7 its stil a pretty easy win for white cause of 2 different checkmateoptions with rook and bishop which black can defend but after defending he pretty much cant move any of his pieces expect the pawns on the kings side

[@penissjoe4289]

You should follow with Ra8 after Rd1 check that would win you a tempo , but white is stil about +1

[@aheesh6487]

Followed by Qd4? So what if king moves to b2 rather than a2?

[@ibmason1]

this provides great insight. as an instinct player I have never looked up a game before but I hear about this game and I just had to take a look.

[@east47]

Remarkable game. Incredible how these world class players can see some of these moves and think so many moves ahead. Though much of the superfluous commentary on this video could have been cut down which would have shortened video to 15 minutes.

[@V8SupersQirreL]

It's Kasparovs "Immortal", but you have to have a great opponent to play an immortal game!

[@falconeaterf15]

Chess is best played at 2:30am with lots of cheap beer, and an endless supply of peanuts in the shell. Salted of course.

[@davidcopson5800]

How does the salt get inside the shells?

[@bigaschwing2296]

David Copson wow

[@innopva9973]

great video, thanks

[@markthompson8777]

When Kasparov brought his rook to E7 at 18:46, why wasn’t it taken by black queen?

[@wormhole331]

I'm no expert but my guess is that the knight on a5 would move to c6 checking the king and attacking the queen. Forcing the bishop at a8 to take the knight then the d5 pawn would take bishop. That exchange would be worse for black since bishops are worth more.

[@fiveeightzerofiveeightsix6829]

@@wormhole331 No, that would be a terrible blunder. If Black takes the rook, he gets mated.

[@DaRza17]

ben finegold would kasparovs queen was pretty suspicious for most of the early middle game haha

[@Wakeup_wakeup_plz]

Yes, enjoyed 🙌🏼

[@tomjohn8733]

Great game,,...thank you !

[@Krunal1804]

after 20:26, what if Black brings it Rook at D6...? I think then Black would have not lost Knight or Bishop..! Any reviews on this ??

[@BigBadBandidos]

+Krunal Rajyaguru Kb2 with the threat of playing Qb3 next.

[@virajtemghare3267]

+BigBadBandidos At 20:30 what if topalov defended the pawn at a6 using the rook at d8 and not with bishop at a8? this wud not only have defended that pawn but also would have defended the knight at f6.

[@Krunal1804]

viraj temghare I guess it means the same as ma Q. What if he brings rook D6 ! Right.! I am also looking forward for a convincing answer for that..!!

[@TheGreenFire41]

+Krunal Rajyaguru ok, so if rd6, white plays rxa6 and after black rxa6, kb2 and white will win in a few moves. If Bb7, black can always prevent kb2 with qd4 because it's protected by the rook on d8. Hope this helps :D

[@7billza]

+Krunal Rajyaguru that's exactly what I was thinking. Paused the video to check out e comments and wasn't disappointed

[@ismschism5176]

oooh... Knight-to... family-fork - *family-fork!!* ... oh; nvrmnd.

[@leechapa7279]

Thanks for having this channel. I don't play many chess matches, as there are not many people around me that knows how to play. Only one person from my work that likes to "talk trash". I would say he's a beginner. He hasn't beatin me yet. I usually play against a computer.

[@ahmedalhisaie7698]

Very beautiful game Nd amazing analysis thanks a lot

[@drew2pac]

at 18.5:50, why not capture the rook with the queen?

[@bobbybobsen123]

He explained that like 3 min earlier. It would be checkmate in a few moves

[@drew2pac]

jqbtube Yes well obviously I missed that, and made a silly error. No need to get worked up about it. People like you really need hobbies dude.

[@axe863]

chancekard97 Yolo.