Lichtenhein, Theodor VS Morphy, Paul 1857.10.22

Annotations

Lichtenhein against Morphy, New York 1857 — the third casual game, a Scotch Gambit in which White resigns. Notes by Löwenthal.

1. 12.Be3 Castling would have been better play.
2. 12…Bg4 Mr. Morphy thoroughly understands the value and the art of early bringing all his pieces into effectual play. This move establishes him in an undeniably superior position.
3. 13.Qc4 Q. to Q's 2nd would have lost the game at once, as his adversary would simply have placed R. to Q's sq.
4. 14…Qd8 Played with perfect accuracy.
5. 15.fxe3 This move hastens White's defeat, but the admirable manner in which Mr. Morphy takes advantage of the error is worthy of all note.
6. 17.Kg1 Forced; for if K. to K's sq., Black would have mated in two moves.

J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source