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Paul Morphy Method: Development Advantage
Ockert Almaro de Villiers

Paul Morphy Method: Development Advantage

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We start off this year with a new beginning. My first project this year will be to analyze one grandmaster from history every week. Preferably I'll try and go according to timelines where a can. However I shall at the start of each month look at a world champions games.

To start off I will be analyzing the legendary Paul Morphy. Amongst chess historians known as the pride and sorrow of chess because he gained quick success in a short time span before retiring from the chess world.

It is said to start serious chess studies one must start in the beginning , and to my reference Paul Morphy is the start of chess development. We shall look at 8 examples illustrating Morphy's Style of Play.

We shall learn some key elements of chess as he discovered the main strategies in open games. Let's dive in and learn from Morphy

Key Concepts of Opening:

  1. Control the Center
  2. Develop your Minor Pieces
  3. Never Move a Piece twice in the opening
  4. King safety
  5. Connect the Rooks

In order to understand Morphy's method one must first understand the key opening motifs as mentioned above. Now we will see how Morphy used the basics as well as his own discovered method to gain quick success and become the unofficial world champion.

Morphy's Method:

  1. Obtain Development Advantage
  2. Control and Open the Centre at the right time
  3. Open Lines 
  4. Attack!

We shall now look at examples of this method,

The first two examples illustrate the advantage of having a lead in development and opening the center. After this its simply a means of attacking to win the game.

Example 1:

The Basic Blueprint for the Morphy Method

Key Aspects:

  • Lead In Development
  • Intermezzo
  • Opening The Game
  • Attack!
  • Bring in All Reserves
This game illustrated the main Blueprint of Morphy's Method. We shall now look at one other such an example to solidify the knowledge.
Example 2:
Another illustrative blueprint for the Morphy Method
Key Aspects:
  • Lead In Development
  • Intermezzo
  • Attack!
The advantage in development is a big factor in open games and will bag a player many points if he knows how to use the advantage. Paul Morphy first mastered the advantage in development and I believe he realized that leading in two moves calls for an attack. In order to maximize the lead in development one must open the position. 
After these have been mastered there is one more step that is crucial for the method. That is opening Lines . Morphy discovered this technique and realized it is most easily achieved with a pawn sacrifice. Thus I coinfrase the pawn sacrifice as "Morphy's Breaking Line Pawn Sac"
Example 3:
Introduction to the opening of lines and pawn sacrifice to achieve this.
Key Aspects:
  • Lead In Development
  • Morphy Pawn Sac
  • Opening Lines 
  • Attack!
We shall now look at another such example of using the "Morphy Breaking Line Pawn Sac" used to open Lines and win the game.
Example 4:
Another illustrative game showing the pawn sacrifice in order to obtain open lines.
Key Aspects:
  • Morphy Pawn Sac
  • Opening Lines
  • Opening The Game
  • Lead In Development
Example 5:
Mistake from opponents.
Key Aspects:
  • Lead In Development
  • Opening/Closing The Game
  • Open Lines and Diagonals
  • Attacking Combination
In this example the opponent clearly showed a more stubborn resistance. However failed to keep the centre closed. Had he done that Mophy would have had more of a struggle. This game was played blindfolded by Morphy while facing 5 other adversaries however, and one cannot blame him for his play and besides he still won.
Example 6:
Just one more example showing this method as well as illustrating that a small inaccuracy in the opening can lead to a major disadvantage later on in the game.
Key Aspects:
  • Development Inaccuracies
  • Double Attack
  • Searching for More
  • King in the Center

As another general principle of a chess player " Always search for something" ,this game illustrates quite well how Morphy pressed and pressed to make Black regret his inaccuracy.
Example 7: Copying The Method
Here is a game I copied Morphy's Method in to win my opponent in an open game. I followed the method step for step and gained a crushing win.
Key Aspects:
  • Copying Morphy's Method
  • Center Control
  • Development Lead
  • Opening the Game
  • Open Lines
  • Attack!
This game illustrates well how the method is used in amateur play, now we will see the game in top level play as used by Magnus Carlsen.
Example 8:
This game was played by a young Magnus Carlsen. He is well versed with Morphy's Method and used it on top level to crush his opponent. Yes, the method is still in use today!
Key Aspects:
  • Too Many Pawn Moves
  • Lead In Development
  • King in the Center
  • Attack!
Summary:
We summarize the main lessons learned from Paul Morphy's Games
  1. In the Opening strive for rapid development.
  2. In an open game the lead in development becomes a major factor.
  3. If you have a lead in development strive to open the game and open lines for attack.
  4. The "Morphy's Breaking Line Pawn Sac" May come in handy.
  5. In open games the King's position and safety is a decisive factor.
  6. Remember the intermezzo moves for development.
  7. Weaken the pawn shield in front of the opponents King with continuous pressure.
  8. If possible develop pieces while creating threats or defending.
  9. If you lack in development try to keep the position closed.

*Please comment and let me know what you think. Am I wrong / am I right. I'm an improving player so honest criticism will be greatly appreciated.