Grand Master Games (S01 : EP07) : The Opera Game
The Opera Game – Paul Morphy vs. Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard, 1858
Played in a theater box during an opera in Paris, this iconic game showcased Paul Morphy’s brilliance against two amateur opponents working together.
It remains one of the most instructive and beautiful games in chess history, combining elegance, aggression, and deep strategic themes.
Morphy, playing White, immediately took control of the center and began rapid development. His opponents—the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard—chose a passive Philidor Defense and fell behind in activity. This imbalance in development would prove fatal, as Morphy wasted no time capitalizing on their slow play.
The game teaches an important lesson in prioritizing development over material. Morphy sacrificed pawns and later a rook, not for flash, but to accelerate his attack and keep Black on the defensive. By the time the Allies tried to develop, it was already too late—their king remained exposed in the center, and their army was poorly coordinated.
Another key mistake was Black’s early queen move (7...Qe7), a typical error among beginners. It blocked in their bishop, wasted a tempo, and did nothing to aid development. Morphy, on the other hand, kept developing with threats, putting pressure on f7 and leaving no room for his opponents to reorganize.
The pawn break 9...b5 was an attempt to gain counterplay, but Morphy responded with the bold 10. Nxb5!, giving up a knight to open lines. Every exchange that followed benefited him by pulling more Black pieces into passive roles, while his own army became increasingly active and connected.
A major turning point came with 12. O-O-O, castling queenside and connecting the rooks. In contrast, Black never castled—an error that highlights the importance of king safety. Morphy immediately used his centralized rooks to launch a devastating combination starting with 13. Rxd7!, forcing concessions or collapse.
Morphy’s coordination was flawless. His queen, bishop, and rook worked in harmony while Black’s forces were either undeveloped or awkwardly placed. Each of Morphy’s moves built on the last, tightening the noose. The Allies never got the chance to form a coherent plan or activate their major pieces.
The game ended with a stunning queen sacrifice: 16. Qb8+ Nxb8 followed by 17. Rd8#, a clean, quiet rook checkmate. It’s a textbook example of how well-developed, active pieces can overwhelm even a numerically stronger position, especially when the opponent’s king is left stranded in the center.
In fewer than 20 moves, Morphy gave a masterclass on initiative, time, and coordination. The Opera Game continues to inspire players to seek clarity and precision—and reminds us that time and harmony are often worth more than material.
The Opera Game – Paul Morphy vs. Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard (Paris, 1858)
Opening: Philidor Defense Result: 1–0 (White wins)
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 Bg4
4. dxe5 Bxf3
5. Qxf3 dxe5
6. Bc4 Nf6
7. Qb3 Qe7
8. Nc3 c6
9. Bg5 b5
10. Nxb5 cxb5
11. Bxb5+ Nbd7
12. O-O-O Rd8
13. Rxd7 Rxd7
14. Rd1 Qe6
15. Bxd7+ Nxd7
16. Qb8+ Nxb8
17. Rd8#
