Saturday, June 23, 2012

Paul Morphy's King's Gambit

PAUL MORPHY vs. EUGENE ROUSSEAU
New Orleans, 1849
King's Gambit Accepted, Kieseritzky Variation, Cotter Gambit

1.  e4, e5
2. f4, exf4
3. Nf3, g5
4. h4, g4
5. Ng5, h6

An offshoot of the Kierseritzky Gambit.  White sacrifices a Knight to break down Black's defenses.

6. Nxf7, Kxf7
7. Qxg4, Qf6

Black defends the f4 pawn.

8. Bc4+, Ke7
9. Nc3, c6
10. e5!! ....

A surprise move!  Here, White intends to open the e-file for a strong attack on Black's King.


10. ..... Qxe5+

Black accepts the challenge, for he has nothing better.  If 10....Qg7, 11. Qxf4 d5, 12. exd6+ (e.p.) and Black's defense collapses.

11. Kd1, Kd8
12. Re1, Qc5
13. Bxg8, d5
14. Re8+, Kxe8
15. Qxc8, Ke7
16. Nxd5+!! .....

White takes advantage of the pin on Black's Queen at c6, rendering White's Knight immortal.

16. ..... Kd6
17. Qc7 mate

White may also mate at e6, but the current position makes a picturesque mate.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts with Thumbnails