Board 1 of the five-board simultaneous Morphy played against five of London's strongest players at the St. James's Chess Club, 26 April 1859. A Two Knights' Defence in which Morphy, conducting the Black pieces, won.

1. 3…Nf6 As Mr. Morphy much prefers attacking to defending, he chooses this mode of play in order to obtain the Cozio Counter attack.
2. 6.d3 This move has the recommendation of being much less hazardous than the checking with K's B. and subsequently moving Q. to K. B's 3rd, as recommended in the books.
3. 8…Nxc4 Analysis has convinced us that this move, at the present juncture, only strengthens White's game.
4. 14.Qd2 Had White moved B. to Q's 4th, Black could have played P. takes Q. B's 4th, and then R. to K's sq., gaining time, and threatening to double the Pawns on White's Queen's side very disadvantageously.
5. 21…Ba6 Had Black captured Q's P. with B., White would have taken K. Kt's P. with Kt., maintaining his Pawn and having a better game.
6. 22…c5 Playing this Pawn one square appears to present some advantages; but the consequences of White's immediately advancing his P. to Q. B's 5th were so various and complex, that we do not wonder at Black's preferring a less perplexed line of play.
7. 30.Bxg5 Very well played, threatening, if Black capture Q. and then Kt., to take the Q. and B. in return, remaining with an attack on Black's King.
8. 35…Nd2+ All these moves are singularly beautiful and interesting.
9. 36.Kg2 Much better than taking the Kt. with B., for in that case, Black would have taken R. with Kt. (ch.), and then moved B. to Q. Kt's 4th.
10. 40.Ne3 These moves with the Kt. are remarkably clever, and are replied to with equal tact by Mr. Morphy.