The first of only two consultation games in which the great English and American masters met in friendly contest, Morphy and Barnes against Staunton and "Alter" (the Rev. John Owen). They played but two games, and both were gained by Mr. Morphy and his ally. Here the English allies, conducting the White pieces, adopt Philidor's Defence.
3…f5Philidor favoured this move, but we consider, with von der Lasa, that it cannot safely be ventured either in reply to P. to Q's 4th or B. to Q. B's 4th.
4.dxe5We believe that B. to Q. B's 4th leads to a more powerful attack. The following analysis of that move is given in the different Handbooks — 4. B. to Q. B's 4th, P. takes K's P.; 5. Kt. takes P., and whether Black play P. takes Kt. or P. to Q's 4th, White gains an undeniable advantage by Q. to R's 5th (ch.).
7.Nc3The following train of play here is recommended by the best authorities, and we are of opinion that it gives White a game far superior to that obtained by the move in the text — 7. P. to K. B's 3rd, B. to K's 2nd (best); 8. P. takes P., B. takes Kt.; 9. Q. to R's 5th (ch.), P. to K. Kt's 3rd; 10. Q. takes B., Q. takes Q.; 11. B. takes Q., Kt. to Kt's 5th; 12. P. takes P., &c.
11.Bxh6Mr. Staunton and his ally here missed an evident opportunity of gaining a decided advantage. A study of the diagram appended will show that if correctly continued the game should have been played thus — 11. B. to K. Kt's 5th; 12. Castles; 13. Q. to B's 4th, and must win.
12…Qg5Black might also have played Q. to K's 2nd, but the square chosen was much the better.
14.Qxb7Had Kt. taken K's P., the following variation would probably have arisen — 14. Kt. takes P., Q. to K's 2nd; 15. R. to Q's 8th (ch.), Q. takes R.; 16. Kt. to Q's 6th (ch.), Q. takes Kt.; 17. Q. takes Q., K. to B's 2nd, remaining with more than a full equivalent for the lost Queen.
15…Qe7With the view of imprisoning the Queen if she capture the Rook.
17…Bf4This was necessary to prevent the escape of the Queen, by Q. to Kt's 7th, &c.
18.Be2We believe that 18. P. to K. Kt's 3rd would have rendered Black's game much more difficult.
18…Kg7This was both prudent and farsighted; had Black attempted to gain the Queen by Q. to B's 2nd, the variation appended in the book shows that they would have lost the game, White emerging with the exchange ahead.
22…Bg3After this, White's game was indefensible. The Black allies conduct their game throughout in a very masterly manner; and of the position before White's 23rd move we again give a diagram, as a study of the terminating moves cannot fail to be both interesting and instructive.
J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source