This is the great “deflection” game, with Zukertort offering his queen and then a rook on consecutive moves, knowing that mate will follow if either are taken.
A strategic lesson not to be overlooked, however, is Zookie not bothering to challenge Blackburne on the c-file at move 17. An open file is not of much use to anybody unless it comes with entry points.
Zukertort - Blackburne,
London 1883
1 c4 e6
2 e3 Nf6
3 Nf3 b6
4 Be2 Bb7
5 0-0 d5
6 d4 Bd6
7 Nc3 0-0
8 b3 Nbd7
9 Bb2 Qe7
10 Nb5 Ne4
11 Nxd6 cxd6
12 Nd2 Ndf6
13 f3 Nxd2
14 Qxd2 dxc4
15 Bxc4 d5
16 Bd3 Rfc8
17 Rae1 Rc7
18 e4 Rac8
19 e5 Ne8
20 f4 g6
21 Re3 f5
22 exf6 Nxf6
23 f5 Ne4
24 Bxe4 dxe4
25 fxg6 Rc2
26 gxh7+ Kh8
27 d5+ e5
28 Qb4 R8c5
29 Rf8+ Kxh7
30 Qxe4+ Kg7
31 Bxe5 Kxf8
32 Bg7+ Kg8
33 Qxe7
1-0
So, why did Blackburne resign?
BONUS QUESTIONS
BQ1: How would Zukertort have ended the game after 32 … Qxg7?
BQ2: When White plays 17 Rae1, Black has the c-file but no meaningful safe squares for the rook to go to. Which White pieces cover c1, c2, c3, c4 and c5 respectively.
BQ3: How does White mate if Black accepts the rook on f8 and tries 29 … Qxf8 instead of running with his king?
BQ4: How does White give checkmate if Black accepts the queen sacrifice with 28 … Qxb4 (hint: it’s mate in 7).