Louis Paulsen vs Paul Morphy

White: Paulsen, Louis Black: Morphy, Paul Event: 1st American Chess Congress, Round 4.6 Date: November 3, 1857 — New York, NY USA Result: 0–1

The Game

One of the most famous combinations in chess history. Morphy took twelve minutes over his 17th move, probably to assure himself that the combination was sound and that he had a forced win in every variation.

Position after 17. Qa6 — Black to move. White’s queen sits on a6 while Black has rooks on e6 and e8 bearing down the e-file. Morphy uncorks a spectacular queen sacrifice.

Full Game (PGN)

[Event "1st American Chess Congress"]
[Site "New York, NY USA"]
[Date "1857.11.03"]
[Round "4.6"]
[White "Paulsen, Louis"]
[Black "Morphy, Paul"]
[Result "0-1"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bc5 5. O-O O-O 6. Nxe5 Re8
7. Nxc6 dxc6 8. Bc4 b5 9. Be2 Nxe4 10. Nxe4 Rxe4 11. Bf3 Re6
12. c3 Qd3 13. b4 Bb6 14. a4 bxa4 15. Qxa4 Bd7 16. Ra2 Rae8
17. Qa6 Qxf3!! 18. gxf3 Rg6+ 19. Kh1 Bh3 20. Rd1 Bg2+
21. Kg1 Bxf3+ 22. Kf1 Bg2+ 23. Kg1 Bh3+ 24. Kh1 Bxf2
25. Qf1 Bxf1 26. Rxf1 Re2 27. Ra1 Rh6 28. d4 Be3 0-1

Key Moves

17…Qxf3!! — The queen sacrifice. Morphy gives up his queen for a rook and bishop, but the resulting attack is unstoppable.

18. gxf3 Rg6+ — The rook swings to g6 with devastating effect.

20…Bg2+ — The bishops dominate the board, driving the white king into a fatal pin.

22…Rg2 would have won even more quickly: after 23. Qd3 Rxf2+ 24. Kg1 Rg2+ 25. Kh1 Rg1#

White resigned on move 28 in a completely lost position.