Anderssen, Adolf VS Staunton, Howard 1851.??.??

Annotations

Game XII. Fifth and last game between Messrs. Anderssen and Staunton (Third Series), which Anderssen won with the White pieces to decide the match. French Opening. Adjourned by mutual consent overnight at White's twenty-ninth move and resumed the following day.

1. 7…Qxb2 In this, as in the previous game, Black exposes himself to great embarrassment by venturing his Queen so early into the enemy's quarters, for the gain of a Pawn.
2. 9.Rc1 Well conceived. Much better play than the more obvious move of R. to Q. Kt.'s sq.
3. 10…Bf8 This was necessary, as White threatened to play P. to Q's 5th next move, which would have driven the Queen back, and thus have enabled the Kt. to give check at Q's 6th.
4. 20…Nc5 Child's play. Throwing away his most important Pawn for nothing!
5. 25…h5 Worse than useless.
6. 33.Qb2 This is the best move, and one which decides the contest.

Howard Staunton, The Chess Tournament (1852) · Public domain · source