The Fascination of Sacrifice

Another good read: David Shenk's "The Immortal Game". Recommended to me about three years back, but I only sunk my teeth into it a week or two ago. As Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kierseritsky's titular duel unfolds in a brilliant example of tactical duplicity, Shenk overlaps a lyrical exposition of the game's history and the many myths and legends that surrounds its origins.


One such story revolves around two sixth century Indian kings. The first ordered his sage to invent a game that reflected his belief in the power of fate and this produced the rolling of dice. The second, however, ordered his sage to invent one that represented his conviction in the power of knowledge and free will, and this ultimately led to chess.