Retro-Analysis

Alphonse Delannoy died in 1883 at the age of 77.  In 1832, while a member of the French National Guard, he wandered into the Café de la Régence.  Although he had never before played chess, he was smitten by the electrical atmosphere and the complexity of the game. . . "and from that day I became a Chess-player."

     Delannoy became a well-received chess journalist (except for his later years when his failing memory caused him to include more and more inaccuracies), having held editorial positions on "Le Palamède," "La Régence," "La Nouvelle Régence" and "La Strategie" and was a denizen of Café de la Régence where he is recorded having played Paul Morphy two games. 

     Only the ending to the second game survived. Max Lange included the ending in his 1859 book, "Paul Morphy: Sein Leben und Schaffen" but also included a retro-analysis provided by Alexander G. Sellman.

     According to Gustavus Reichhelm in "Chess in Philadelphia" in 1898:
"Alexander G. Sellman, born 1856 in Baltimore, died October 17, 1888, same place, was the strongest player Maryland ever produced."

     Sellman also wrote the tournament book for Vienna 1882, a very close tournament won jointly by Steinitz and Winawer (sharing the $1200, first and $500 second prize).  He also edited at least two chess columns, one for "The Item," a Baltimore paper and the other for the "Baltimore American." During his short life (he died at age 32), he contended against the likes of  Mackenzie, Judd, Steinitz, Zukertort. Rosenthal, Winawer, Blackburne, Englisch, Bird, Tschigorin and Mason, though with few successes (other than with Zukertort).

     Morphy gave Delannoy Pawn and 2 moves odds.  The position shown is that given by Max Lange, the moves leading up to that position were invented by Sellman to follow Morphy's natural style.

 What a mate.

Wouldn't Kg1 had been better than 25. Kxe2  in this case?

Another excellent historical article by Batgirl.

25. Kg1?? Qxg2#

Yes, of course. But 25. Qf1 may have been a nice defensive move.

25. Qf1 is impossible.  The King is in check.

Oh of course. I didn't look at the moves after the 25th The heat wave has to take the blame

No big deal. I'm glad your examining and questioning it.

You can't block Moderators.

I guess you're doomed.

 I love chess mysteries!! Thank you!

I've managed to find one publication of the game as a problem in Chess Monthly, 1859, missing the first 22[?] moves, but couldn't find anywhere this retro analysis by Sellman. Only some reference that appeared in Maroczy's Paul Morphy [game #399??]. The Maroczy book is of 1909 but Sellman died in 1888. So maybe somewhere else was published before. It would be nice, if someone had access and share it.

Found a snippet of the above mentioned by batgirl Max Lange's

Great stuff as always, and love the photo. Thanks!

Nice work, Retro Hum...Thanks, Mike Reed

Black's first move is missing in this diagramme. It doesn't affect the outcome, but just worth to notice.

"Morphy gave Delannoy Pawn and 2 moves odds."

That means Morphy (who had the dark pieces) removed one of his pawns (in this case the KBP) and Delannoy, who had White (or at that time he could have had Black and moved first), got to move twice.  Odds games were common back then (this game was played in 1859).  The usual reason was to allow a player considered to be weaker an advantage in order to make the game more balanced (but there were other possible reasons too).  So Black's first move isn't missing - he just didn't move until White had moved twice.

Isn't the 19th century fascinating!?

If odds games interest you, you may want to examine this article:  https://www.chess.com/article/view/the-romance-of-chess

Thanks, that was interesting info.