Master of attack
ATTACKING is one of the most enjoyable things about chess. Much beauty can be found in creatively navigating a position with an attacking initiative, and when the time comes, accurately delivering the winning series of moves. One of the greatest attacking players of all time was Paul Morphy. The great Bobby Fischer even described him as ‘‘perhaps the most accurate player who ever lived’’.
In 1858, after crushing all worthy opponents in America, Morphy crossed the English Channel to France seeking new opponents. In a somewhat typical French manner, Paris welcomed Morphy with a bout of intestinal influenza, thought best treated with leeches. This resulted in significant blood loss, which weakened Morphy greatly. Yet still hungry for another’s blood, Morphy was determined to see out his match, against visiting German master Adolf Anderssen, considered by many to be Europe’s strongest. Morphy dominated the match finishing on 8 points from 11 games, earnt by 7 wins and 2 draws. Today we look at match game 9, Morphy playing white.
1 e4c5
2 d4 cxd4
3 Nf3 Nc6
4 Nxd4 e6
5 Nb5
Morphy opts for the Szen variation (antiTaimanov variation, B44) of the Sicilian defence. 5—d6
6 Bf4
Provoking a weakening of Black’s pawn structure that could later be targeted.
6—e5
7 Be3 f5?!
While this may look strong at first, this is a very risky and unnecessary move, weakening the squares around Black’s king. White takes a nice early advantage (+1.1). Better was Nf6, which equalises by simply developing a piece and controlling central squares.
8 N1c3 f4
This is the right option for Black, but things get dicey as Black’s king gets pushed around. If 8 — Nf6 then 9 Bg5 Be6, 10 Nd5 Bxd5, 11 exd5 Ne7, 12 Bxf6 gxf6, 13 Qh5+ Ng6, 14 Qxf5 leaves White a clear pawn ahead.
9 Nd5!
Morphy sees the weak c7 square and correctly judges that (at least through the added chance of his opponent going wrong) he will gain more than adequate compensation for the piece.
9 — fxe3
10 Nbc7+ Kf7
11 Qf3+?!
Surprisingly, this looks good but isn’t the right way to continue (the position is now dead equal!).
Correct was 11 Nxa8 exf2+,
12 Kxf2 Qh4+, 13 g3 Qxe4,
14 Bg2 Qd4+, 15 Qxd4 Nxd4, which maintains White’s advantage by going into an endgame with active pieces and a rook for a bishop and a pawn.
11 — Nf6
12 Bc4 Nd4
13 Nxf6+ d5
14 Bxd5+ Kg6??
Black was defending well, but this move loses on the spot. The correct move, 14 — Ke7! feels wrong to play, but if we sit back a little we can see that the White pieces aren’t coordinated enough to finish the job and Black’s counterplay will likely prove enough to hold for a draw!
For example, 15 Qh5 gxf6, 16 Qf7+ Kd6, 17 Nxa8 Nxc2+, 18 Ke2 Nd4+, 18 Kxe3 Be6 and Black has broken the wave.
15 Qh5+ Kxf6
16 fxe3 Nxc2+
17 Ke2
Black resigns in view of
17 — Qxc7, 18 Rhf1+ Ke7, 19 Rf7+, winning the queen, and with it the game.
10
Solution: 21 — Bxg2!, 22 Qh8+
(22 f4 Nf3) Kxh8, 23 Bg5 Qxg5,
24 Kg1 Nf3#.
The quickest mate was not played by Morphy but a more aesthetically appealing uninterrupted mate in 5. Morphy opted for 21 — Rxg2+, 22 Kxh3 Qe6+, 23 Kxg2 Qg4+,
24 Kh1 Qh3+, 25 Kg1 Nf3#