Paul Morphy vs Henri Baucher (1858)

-- Stockfish 19

-- Engine disabled.

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 d6

3. d4 exd4

4. Qxd4 Nc6

5. Bb5 Bd7

6. Bxc6 Bxc6

7. Bg5 f6

8. Bh4 Nh6

9. Nc3 Be7

10. O-O O-O

11. Qc4+ Kh8

12. Nd4 Qd7

13. Rad1 Rf7

14. f4 a5

15. f5 Rff8

16. Ne6 Rg8

17. a4 Ng4

18. Qe2 Ne5

19. Bg3 Qc8

20. Bxe5 dxe5

21. Rf3 Bd7

22. Rh3 h6

23. Qd2 Kh7

24. Qxd7 Bd6

25. Rxh6+ Kxh6

26. Rd3 Kh5

27. Qf7+

1-0

12…Qd7 B—Q2 is by far preferable.
13…Rf7 Still less justifiable than in the previous game where this move occurs at an earlier stage. By a transposition of moves the position has become almost identical with that of the preceding one, the sole difference being that Black's King has moved into the corner which practically amounts to the loss of an additional move. The R will not be of the slightest use at B2 and will have to be removed again. Kt—B2 was by far better.
16…Rg8 With some remote aim at a King's side attack by P—KKt3, but certainly not as solid as R—K sq. with the view of bearing ultimately on White's weak centre P. The R as will be seen is subsequently much in the way of Black's King and the mating positions which arise are chiefly due to the bad selection of the post for the R at this juncture.
17.a4 A waiting move of some utility as it provides against any diversion on the Queen's side by P—QKt4. But we believe in the main it would have been preferable to proceed with the King's side attack at once by R—B3 or else to play Kt—Q5, followed by PxB in reply to BxKt, with the superior game, as White gets rid of his weak centre P and otherwise holds the better position.
19…Qc8 Bad for various reasons. In the first place he ought not to allow a P of his own to be placed in front of the adverse weak KP which thus becomes less accessible. Next the hostile B at Kt3 prevents the sortie of the opponent's Rooks on the King's side which becomes fatal to him in a few moves. The Kt ought to have retreated and would have been undoubtedly better placed at B2 whence he could challenge the adverse Kt by Kt—Q sq. eventually.
20…dxe5 White though playing 8 games simultaneously blindfolded has entirely outgeneralled his present strong opponent for his attack is now quite irresistible.
21.Rf3 No doubt an error but there was really nothing to be done. If 21....B—K sq., the game might have proceeded: 22 R—R3, 22 P—KKt3; 23 Q—Kt4, 23 PxP; 24 RxP ch., 24 KxR; 25 Q—R3 ch., 25 K—Kt3; 26 PxP ch., 26 K—B2; 27 Q—R5 ch., and mates next move.
21…Bd7 Threatening RxP ch. followed by Q—R5 mate.
22…h6 Winning a piece by force for he threatens mate by Q or RxP ch.
24…Bd6 A lovely continuation especially considering how severely White is handicapped by his performance.
27.Qf7+ The mate is forced after 27....P—Kt3; by 28 R—R3 ch., 28 K—Kt4; 29 R—Kt3 ch., 29 K—R4; 30 Q—R7 mate.

[Event "Morphy blindfold sim +6-0=2"]
[Site "Paris (Cafe de la Regence)"]
[Date "1858.09.27"]
[Round "1(1)"]
[White "Morphy, Paul"]
[Black "Baucher, Henri"]
[Result "1-0"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Bg5 f6 8. Bh4 Nh6 9.
Nc3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Qc4+ Kh8 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Rad1 Rf7 14. f4 a5 15. f5 Rff8 16. Ne6
Rg8 17. a4 Ng4 18. Qe2 Ne5 19. Bg3 Qc8 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Rf3 Bd7 22. Rh3 h6 23. Qd2 Kh7
24. Qxd7 Bd6 25. Rxh6+ Kxh6 26. Rd3 Kh5 27. Qf7+ 1-0