Board 1 (Table No. 1) of Morphy's eight-board blindfold display at the Café de la Régence, Paris, in the latter part of September 1858 (Morphy +6−0=2). A Philidor's Defence against M. Baucher, the first of his six wins.
8…Nh6It is a question to which square this Knight should now be played—to R's 3rd, or to K's 2nd. Much may be said in favour of both moves. When played to R's 3rd, the Kt. may subsequently be brought back to B's 2nd, and Castling becomes feasible, whilst if the Kt. be moved to K's 2nd, with the object of posting it at Kt's 3rd, a diagonal is left open which will render Castling a less easy matter. The relative merit, however, of the two moves can only be determined by frequently testing them in actual play.
13…Rf7Played, it would seem, with the view of occupying the vacated square with the Queen's Rook, though we do not see that Black's position would thereby be much improved.
14.f4In recording games played by Mr. Morphy, we have noticed, as well worthy of observation, how invariably he seizes the proper moment for advancing the K. B's P. after Castling. It always seems to give him a decided advantage, as in the present instance, for the K's R. is at once brought to bear on the Black King's entrenchments.
15…Rff8This advance of the K. B's P. effectually prevented Black from carrying out his intention of bringing Q's R. to K. B's sq., on account of the threatened move of Kt. to K's 6th; and the retreat of the K's R. was no doubt caused by M. Baucher's wish to bring his Knight into play, which he could not now do without leaving his Rook en prise.
16.Ne6White has now a very fine game.
18.Qe2Mr. Morphy is evidently possessed of the rarest genius for chess. From the commencement of the game he makes such a disposition of his pieces that, after serving his purpose to the utmost, they may be brought at once, and without the least loss of time, to bear on any given point of the adversary's game. The move in the text is a good illustration of our remark; for the Queen, after having for some time maintained a position of importance, is now brought back, and becomes even more powerful than before. This move is the commencement of a very masterly combination.
19…Qc8To get rid of the Knight by playing B. to Q's 2nd, and to allow the Q's P. to take Bishop if Black's Knight were captured.
21.Rf3The key move of a beautiful combination, and the more admirable when we remember that it takes place in a game contested simultaneously with seven others, against strong players, and all without sight of board or men.
22…h6If 22 ... R. to K's sq., White wins, as follows: 23. Q. to K. R's 5th, P. to K. R's 3rd; 24. Kt. takes Kt's P., B. to B's sq. (we can see nothing better; if K. to Kt's sq., White would win with R. to K. Kt's 3rd); 25. Q. takes R's P. (ch.), K. to Kt's sq.; 26. Q. to R's 7th (ch.), K. to B's 2nd; and White mates in two moves.
23.Qd2Played in excellent style.
23…Kh7In order to avert the threatened mate.
25.Rxh6+We again give a diagram of the position, which deserves the student's close examination. Mr. Morphy's play here is a remarkable specimen of brilliancy and correctness.
J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source