The Immortal Game
by David Shenk
Published by Anchor Books
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Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali
Subtitled: A History of Chess or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated Our Understanding of War, Science, and the Human Brain
Shenk’s book takes its name from a casual game played between Anderssen and Kieseritzky in 1851. The short game, now known as The Immortal Game, is renowned for its unconventional moves and strategic insights. Shenk analyses this game move by move, and between moves intersperses a history of chess embellished with his interpretation. The appendices contain the rules for chess, a play-by-play analysis of six great chess games and Benjamin Franklin’s essay “The Morals of Chess.”
Shenk’s work borrows from chess books (those that try to make readers better chess players) and chess history books, hence this work falls in neither category. From the perspective of a chess book, it does state some considerations when playing chess, but does not delve deep enough into applying these concepts (except perhaps when analyzing specific games). The history and chess lore that make up the remainder of the book tend to be well known among serious players. The narrative is not without minor inaccuracies but does not detract from the overall interpretation. A characteristic of Shenk’s work is that it sacrifices depth for breath, causing some readers to label this work as superficial.
Throughout the narrative Shenk explores the role chess plays in psychology, mathematics, philosophy, military tactics, diplomacy, literature, arts, insanity, and other areas. While chess may have influenced these fields, some readers may feel that its role borders on hyperbole. Given the breath covered, some chapters come across as choppy (and sometimes shallow). Shenk is an accomplished author who lends his fluidic prose and unassuming (sometimes self-effacing) style to this readable work.
Shenk’s main objective is not how to play chess or chronicle its evolution, but to ask why it has endured for so long. It is in this quest that The Immortal Game distinguishes itself from other works on chess, and merits it cumbersome subtitle “How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated our understanding of War, Science, and the Human Brain.” Of course a quest as subjective as this will inevitably lead to a variety of responses.
Armchair Interviews says: Shenk invites us to discover our own interpretations by responding to his work.