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Paul Morphy vs Theodore Lichtenhein
"Morphy Addiction" (game of the day Jul-21-2015)
Blindfold game (1857) (blindfold), New Orleans, Nov-19
King's Gambit: Accepted. Modern Defense (C36)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Given 128 times; par: 42 [what's this?]

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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Jul-26-07  unixfanatic: 11. ... Bxe5 and I'm not sure White has compensation. Despite the intimidating appearance, after 11. ... Bxe5 12. Bxf7+ Ke7 and there doesn't seem to be any concrete way for White to get ahead. 12. Qh5 also doesn't seem to win. Does someone have a refutation to this?
May-25-08  heuristic: better lines than the game :

11.Nc3 Ne7 12.d4 Bf5 13.Qe2

11...Bxe5 12.Bxf7+ Ke7 13.Re1 Kxf7

13.Bxh6 Qxd4 14.Bxf7+ Kd8 15.Bf4

13...Bxd4 14.Bxf7+ Kd7 15.Bxh6 gxh6

17...Bxg5 18.Rad1 Bd2 19.Rf2 Bxc3

18.Qxg7 Bxg5 19.Qxd4 Re8 20.Ne4

18...Kc8 19.Qxg7 Re8 20.Bf4 Qf2

19.Qxg7 Re8 20.Rxc6+ Nx6 21.Nb5+

19...Kc8 20.Qxg7 Re8 21.Rd1 Qc4

21.Rad1 Rd8 22.Ne4 Qb6 23.R6d3

22.Rd3 Qxd3 23.Nc5+ Kc8 24.Nxd3

Jul-10-08  HannibalSchlecter: Go Morphy! Go Morphy! When I see Morphy's games each move contains so much energy that it seems that with each turn he is getting to play two moves in a row.
May-14-09  WhiteRook48: Lichtenhein knows how to lose in style
Dec-25-09  notyetagm: Every Morphy game is a <TACTICAL TOUR DE FORCE>.
Mar-25-11  Llawdogg: 26 Bd2+! is an amazing deflection sacrifice. Morphy pulls the black queen into position for his knight to fork the opposing king and queen. However, he never collects the queen because he has checkmate coming instead.

And this was a blindfold simultaneous exhibition against the third best player in the country. Amazing!

Mar-25-11  joupajou: Many of these old games resemble the good ole Brazilian football: it's not just a goal, but a beautiful goal that matters.

26.Bd2+ is like a heel pass to a guy that's in a far better scoring position.

Beautiful.

Jul-21-15  ninja warrior: another awesome game from my favorite player.
Jul-21-15  RookFile: Wonderful play by Morphy. Did I understand that he played this blindfolded? Remarkable.
Jul-21-15  kevin86: As usual against Morphy, you can run but you can't hide.
Jul-21-15  thegoodanarchist: Absolutely stunning play by Morphy. Having the nerve and foresight needed to castle behind a destroyed pawn structure as he did is yet another testament to his ability.
Jul-21-15  tivrfoa: what to play after 24. ... Rb8???
Jul-21-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  ketchuplover: 25.Rc1 perhaps
Jul-23-15  tivrfoa: <ketchuplover: 25.Rc1 perhaps> Thank you! =) Yes, it's very strong.
Jan-23-16  talhal20: I can't imagine the present grand masters playing like Morphy even with lesser opponents.
Jan-23-16  ughaibu: Have you looked at Blackburne's short games? http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

Or Tal's? http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

Or Kasparov's? http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches...

Aug-09-16  Isilimela: @ thegoodanarchist

See also:

Morphy vs Bird, 1859

I think there are a couple of Morphy games like this where the King hides behind an enemy pawn.

Apr-25-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: Hi all

17 Nc3 is technicaly losing for White:

It seems Bxg5 and black can defend resourcefully:

Paul Morphy - Theodore Lichtenhein, New Orleans 1857


click for larger view

Analysis by Stockfish 8 64:

1. (-1.64): 17...Bxg5 18.Rad1 Bd2 19.Rf2 Bxc3 20.Rxd4+ Bxd4 21.Rd2 Nd7 22.Rxd4 Rb8 23.Qxg7 Re8 24.Qg5+ Kc7 25.Qf4+ Kb7 26.Qf7 Re1+ 27.Kxh2 Kc7 28.Qf2 Re5 29.Qf4 Rbb5 30.a4 Rbd5 31.Rxd5 cxd5 32.Kg3 Bb7 33.b3 Bc6 34.Qd4 Kb7 35.Qb4+ Ka8 36.Qd4 h5 37.a5

Apr-25-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  kingscrusher: Even better than 19...Bxc3 maybe be 19... Be6 in the variation posted:

Paul Morphy - Theodore Lichtenhein, New Orleans 1857


click for larger view

Analysis by Stockfish 8 64:

1. (-1.80): 19...Be6 20.Rdxd2 Bxf7

Apr-25-17
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: < Isilimela: @ thegoodanarchist See also:

Morphy vs Bird, 1859

I think there are a couple of Morphy games like this where the King hides behind an enemy pawn.>

It goes back to Philidor at least.

Opening Explorer

Apr-25-21  paulmorphy1969: Llawdogg: you write
And this was a blindfold simultaneous exhibition against the third best player in the country. Amazing! you ahave information about this ?
In many books including lawson give it as a normal game, not blindly, you talk about a simultaneous you have information about it 'thanks
Jul-26-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  louispaulsen88888888: Morphy is playing a blindfold exhibition, so as one previous commenter noted, you don’t just want to win, you want to entertain the crowd. You might also play technically unsound moves on the assumption your opponent is not going to find the correct defense.
Jul-26-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  louispaulsen88888888: Morphy is playing a line similar to the Three Pawns Gambit line of the Cunningham Defense.
Jul-26-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: I very much doubt this game was blindfold, but I think it can be ruled out entirely that it came from a simultaneous blindfold display.
Sep-24-21  LearningH: Amazing. As natural a development and domination as seeing nature in its fury.
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