Paul Morphy

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gabrielconroy

It's been a while since I've seen a post on Morphy, so here we are. I thought I'd put up this game, which is an apt example of the simplicity and brilliance of Morphy's play.

 

As you play through the moves, imagine yourself in White's position.

 

Then imagine that you're playing blindfold, while your opponent (a strong club player) plays with full sight of the board.

 

Then imagine that you're also playing blindfold against seven other players at the same time.

 

ASpieboy

I always enjoy watching games by Morphy.

gabrielconroy

Yes, he's one of, if not the most watchable players of all time. In that game, it's incredible how after 14. f4! kills any idea of counterplay for Baucher, that Morphy dismantles Black's position with ease.

 

With 16. Ne6, White has a totally dominant position.

 

17. a4 was a typically brilliant quiet move that shut down the queenside (don't forget Morphy was blindfolded throughout this game, while playing seven other players simultaneously). If 17...Bxa4? 18. Nc5! forks queen and bishop, with the d6 pawn pinned to the queen.

 

22. Rh3! signals that Morphy already had the winning combination in mind, since otherwise it would simply lose a pawn to Bxe6; fxe6; Qxe6.

 

25. Rxh6!! confirms Black's fate. Notice that 26. Rd3 leaves White's queen hanging; it is protected by the renewed mate threat with 27. Rh3# (the king's escape prevented by the knight on e6).