Paulsen vs Morphy
218
[Event "New York"] [Site "?"] [Round "0"] [White "Paulsen"] [Black "Morphy"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C48"] [Opening "Four Knights: Spanish Variation"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 { This is an old fashioned, but very solid way of playing the opening.} 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Re8 7. Nxc6 dxc6 8. Bc4 b5 { A mistake, which weakens the pawn at c6.} 9. Be2 {Black now captures the pawn at e4, which just opens up a serious line to the Black king.} 9... Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Rxe4 11. Bf3 Re6 12. c3 Qd3 {Black tries to prevent White from playing d4, which will allow the bishop into the game. But the queen is not well-suited to such a meaningless task.} 13. b4 {A very bad move. It was time to chase the enemy queen away. 13.Re1 Rxe1+ 14.Qxe1 Bd7 15.Qe2 White no longer has any serious problems.} 13... Bb6 14. a4 bxa4 { Forced, otherwise 15.a5 would trap the bishop.} 15. Qxa4 Bd7 { Black completes his development.} 16. Ra2 Rae8 17. Qa6 {This is a clever attempt to exchange queens and reduce the attacking force. But Black has other plans for the queen, noticing that the bishop at f3 is one of only two pieces defending the White king. Do you see the sacrifice?} 17... Qxf3 {A brilliant queen sacrifice which opens up the White kingside. This can be done because White's pieces are all misplaced.} 18. gxf3 Rg6+ 19. Kh1 Bh3 { The threat is 20...Bg2+ 21.Kg1 Bxf3 mate.} 20. Rd1 Bg2+ 21. Kg1 Bxf3+ 22. Kf1 { Here Morphy actually missed a quicker win. 22.Kf1 Rg2! 23.Qd3 Rxf2+ 24.Kg1 Rg2+ 25.Kf1Rg1++} 22... Bg2+ 23. Kg1 Bh3+ 24. Kh1 Bxf2 25. Qf1 { The only defense to mate.} 25... Bxf1 {and Black went on to win.} 0-1
0-1
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Players
WhitePaulsen
BlackMorphy
Game
Moves25
OpeningC48 — Four Knights: Spanish Variation
Result0-1
Date
Tags
Tournament
TournamentNew York
Location?
Round0