1.e4
The main opening for the majority of GMs
1...e5
Black meets White's centralization of a pawn with one of
his own.
2.Nf3
A common move attacking the e5-pawn and d4-square.
2...d6
Philidor's Defense. This move was recommended as a
defense by the leading French chess player, Andre Danican Philidor
(1726-95)
3.d4
This is a good move - White prepares to develop the
Queen's Bishop, takes another square in the centre, and puts Black's claim
to the centre under pressure. In fact, White now threatens to win a
Pawn for nothing with 4.dxe5 dxe5 5. Nxe5 or even better 4.dxe5 dxe5 5.
Qxd8+! Kxd8 6. Nxe5. - Exeter Chess Club
3...Bg4?
Black sets up a pin, but should follow the principle,
"Knights before Bishops". Mainline 3...exd4 4.Qxd4 Nf6 5. Bg5 Be7
6.Nc3 0-0 7.0-0-0 Nc6 8.Qd2 a6 9.h3 b5 10.Bd3 Ne5 11.Nxe5 dxe5 12.f4 +/ =
Winsnes-Brynell, Sweden 1994 3...exd4 is usual. 3...f5 is a more
aggressive alternative.
4.dxe5
This move indeed causes Black a problem, because the
simple 4...dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nxe5 loses a Pawn.
4...Bxf3
This capture is forced as 4...dxe5 loses a pawn after
5.Qxd8+ Kxd8 6.Nxe5!
5.Qxf3 dxe5 6.Bc4
White threatens mate on f7.
6...Nf6?
The decisive mistake. Better was 6...Qd7.
True, Black had an unpleasant choice with 6...Qf6 7.Qb3 b6?! 8.Nc3 Ne7?
9.Nb5 Na6 10.Qa4 Nc5 11.Nd6+! Kd8 12.Qe8 mate was pointed out long ago in
Greco's treatise! - G.Kasparov
7.Qb3!
White realigns the queen (a classic double attack), so he
is threatening checkmate in two. In a game played a month earlier
Morphy-Harrwitz (Paris 8th match game 1858) Black preferred to suffer a
pawn down after 7...Bd6 8.Bxf7+ and he resigned on the 59th move. -
G.Kasparov
7...Qe7 8.Nc3
Morphy concentrates on development of his pieces
preferring to mass his forces for a quick checkmate and get back to the
opera. After 8.Qxb7?! winning a pawn, Black has 8...Qb4+! forces the
trade of queens.
8...c6?!
Protects b7 but takes away the good square for his knight.
9.Bg5
White pins the knight to the queen.
9...b5?!
Black tries to expand his space on the queen-side while
forsaking piece development.
10.Nxb5!!
White sacrifices the knight for two pawns along with an
attack on the exposed Black king's flank. Morphy chooses not to
retreat the bishop, which would allow Black to gain time for development.
10...cxb5 11.Bxb5+
White recaptures with check.
11...Nbd7 12.0-0-0
White castles and develops his queen's rook on the open
d-file. The combination of the bishop's pin on the knight and the
open file for the rook will lead to Black's defeat.
12...Rd8
Black protects his pinned knight, yet all of his developed
pieces now surround his king.
13.Rxd7
White removes one of the defenders of the king.
"White lands successive blows, and each time with a gain of tempo." -
M.Euwe. "Morphy is in his element. The brilliant combination
with sacrifices makes this game one of the most beautiful achievements in
the entire history of chess." - G.Maroczy
13...Rxd7 14.Rd1
White's last piece is developed with an attack on the
hapless pinned rook.
14...Qe6
The queen moves out of the pin to allow the knight to help
cover the rook as well as giving room for his king's bishop room to
develop and offers to trade queens. Unfortunately, his efforts will
come to naught as White decimates his position. If Black tries
14...Qb4, White has 15.Bxf6 Qxb3 16.Bxd7 mate. Compare the activity
of the White pieces with the idleness of the Black pieces.
15.Bxd7+!!
White removes another of the king's defenders.
15...Nxd7
If ... Qxd7, then 16. Qb8+ Ke7 17. Qxe5+ Kd8 18. Bxf6+
gxf6 19. Qxf6+ Kc8 20. Rxd7 Kxd7 21. Qxh8 and White is clearly winning.
16.Qb8+
Decoy! Morphy finishes with a stylish
queen sacrifice forcing the knight to capture the queen leaving the d-file
open for the rook to mate.
16...Nxb8 17.Rd8 mate
"A sparkling finish!" -M.Euwe 1-0
