Computing Tree-depth Faster Than 2^(n)

A connected graph has tree-depth at most $k$ if it is a subgraph of the closure of a rooted tree whose height is at most $k$. We give an algorithm which for a given $n$-vertex graph $G$, in time $\mathcal{O}(1.9602^n)$ computes the tree-depth of $G$. Our algorithm is based on combinatorial results revealing the structure of minimal rooted trees whose closures contain $G$.