The ninth game, a Sicilian. Morphy fastened on the weakness of the backward Queen's Pawn, conceived a fine Knight sacrifice, and finished with an irresistible attack.

1. 5…d6 This is better than P. to Q. R's 3rd, but even now the K's B. is shut in, and the Q's P. rendered weak.
2. 6.Bf4 Correctly played, compelling the advance of the K's P., thereby leaving the Q's P. behind, weak and unsupported.
3. 7…f5 P. to Q. R's 3rd would have been sounder play, but even then the game would have been in favour of the first player.
4. 8.N1c3 A fine conception.
5. 8…f4 Had Black now played P. to Q. R's 3rd, White's reply would still have been Kt. to Q's 5th, with a winning game.
6. 12.Bc4 The attack is now irresistible.
7. 13…d5 If the Bishop had been interposed, White would have taken it, checking, and on the Knight retaking have played Kt. to Q's 5th (dis. ch.), winning without difficulty.
8. 14…Kg6 Had the Queen captured the Bishop, White would have taken with the Knight (dis. ch.), and remained eventually with a Pawn a-head and a winning position.
9. 16.fxe3 Kt. to K's 8th, though seemingly a good move, is so only in appearance; Black might have taken it, and, on White's taking the Queen, have answered with B. to Q. Kt's 5th (ch.), obtaining a winning game.