I mentioned in the introduction for ICC#3 that the vast majority of Paul Morphy’s most famous brilliancies- were not played under “serious” conditions. Today’s game is very much the exception. It was played in the final of Morphy’s only tournament at New York, 1857.
Curiously it does make it into The World’s Greatest Chess Games. Perhaps because of White’s relatively limp resistance and the mating opportunities Morphy missed. Ray Keene does include it in Duels of the Mind: The Twelve Best Games of Chess, though, and I think it deserves inclusion in any ‘games chess lovers should know’ list.
Also, after the last couple of weeks, it’s worth reminding ourselves that leaving outposts on open files normally turns out very badly.
Louis Paulsen - Morphy
New York, 1857
1 e4 e5
2 Nf3 Nc6
3 Nc3 Nf6
4 Bb5 Bc5
5 0-0 0-0
6 Nxe5 Re8
7 Nxc6 dxc6
8 Bc4 b5
9 Be2 Nxe4
10 Nxe4 Rxe4
11 Bf3 Re6
12 c3 Qd3
13 b4 Bb6
14 a4 bxa4
15 Qxa4 Bd7
16 Ra2 Rae8
17 Qa6 Qxf3
18 gxf3 Rg6+
19 Kh1 Bh3
20 Rd1 Bg2+
21 Kg1 Bxf3
22 Kf1 Bg2+
23 Kg1 Bh3+
24 Kh1 Bxf2
25 Qf1 Bxf1
26 Rxf1 Re2
27 Ra1 Rh6
28 d4 Be3
0-1
So, why did White resign?
BONUS QUESTIONS
BQ1: Instead of 6 … Re8, Black played 6 … Nxe5 in a couple of games between Nigel Short and Mickey Adams at the 1991 English Chess Championships. 7 d4 Bd4, 8 f4 Nc6, 9 e5 a6, 10 Be2. In both games Black now moved his bishop to safety. What safe squares are available?
BQ2: What is Black’s threat after 16 … Rae8.
BQ3: Instead of 22 … Bg2+, 22 … Rg2 is checkmate in three more moves. Work it out.