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

Annotations

Game X. Third game between Messrs. Anderssen and Staunton (Third Series). Scotch Gambit.

1. 12…Qd7 From this point Black commenced an attack, which, properly followed up, must, I think, have given him the game.
2. 21…Qg4 This move Mr. Anderssen appears to have overlooked when he played the K. R. to his 5th.
3. 22…Rxd4 The position is extremely critical for both parties. If Black, instead of continuing the offensive, had played P. to K. R’s 3rd, his adversary might have completely baffled all his designs by moving P. to K. B’s 3rd, &c.
4. 23.Qc3 Undoubtedly his best move.
5. 23…Rxe4 Black might also have played as follows, securing two Pawns for the loss of the exchange:— 22. Q. takes K. P. (ch.) 23. Q. to her 6th. 23. P. to K. B’s 3rd. 24. B. takes R. Q. takes B. 25. Q. takes Q. B. takes Q. &c. Or, 22. Q. takes K. P. (ch.) 23. Q. to her 6th. 23. P. to K. B’s 3rd. 24. Q. to K’s 7th (ch.) 24. B. takes R. B. takes P. 25. K. to R’s 3rd, or (A.) 26. Q. takes P. And Black must regain a Rook, and will then have a winning game. (A.) 25. K. to Kt.’s sq. (He might also interpose the Bishop, but that seems less advantageous for him.) 25. Q. to her 8th (ch.) 26. K. moves. 26. Q. takes B. 27. Q. takes Q. B. takes Q. And I prefer Black’s game.
6. 24.Rxh7 Threatening a death-blow next move.
7. 25…Rxd4 I give a diagram of this situation, because it affords another example how Black, through physical exhaustion, threw away his games.
8. 26.R1h4 White avails himself admirably of the advantage his opponent’s remissness afforded him.
9. 27…Qxh4 He had no other resource. His error at the 25th move, slight and unimportant as it looked at first sight, cost him the game.

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