1.
e4
e5
2.
Nf3
d6
3.
d4
exd4
4.
Qxd4
Nc6
5.
Bb5
Bd7
6.
Bxc6
Bxc6
7.
Bg5
f6
8.
Bh4
Nh6
9.
Nc3
Be7
10.
O-O
O-O
11.
Qc4+
Kh8
12.
Nd4
Qd7
13.
Rad1
Rf7
14.
f4
a5
15.
f5
Rff8
16.
Ne6
Rg8
17.
a4
Ng4
18.
Qe2
Ne5
19.
Bg3
Qc8
20.
Bxe5
dxe5
21.
Rf3
Bd7
22.
Rh3
h6
23.
Qd2
Kh7
24.
Qxd7
Bd6
25.
Rxh6+
Kxh6
26.
Rd3
Kh5
27.
Qf7+
1-0
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Event
Morphy blindfold sim +6-0=2
Site
Paris (Cafe de la Regence)
Date
1858.09.27
Round
1(1)
White
Black
Baucher, Henri
Result
1-0
Score
Board 1 (Table No. 1) of Morphy's eight-board blindfold display at the Café de la Régence, Paris, in the latter part of September 1858 (Morphy +6−0=2). A Philidor's Defence against M. Baucher, the first of his six wins.
- 8…Nh6 It is a question to which square this Knight should now be played—to R's 3rd, or to K's 2nd. Much may be said in favour of both moves. When played to R's 3rd, the Kt. may subsequently be brought back to B's 2nd, and Castling becomes feasible, whilst if the Kt. be moved to K's 2nd, with the object of posting it at Kt's 3rd, a diagonal is left open which will render Castling a less easy matter. The relative merit, however, of the two moves can only be determined by frequently testing them in actual play.
- 13…Rf7 Played, it would seem, with the view of occupying the vacated square with the Queen's Rook, though we do not see that Black's position would thereby be much improved.
- 14.f4 In recording games played by Mr. Morphy, we have noticed, as well worthy of observation, how invariably he seizes the proper moment for advancing the K. B's P. after Castling. It always seems to give him a decided advantage, as in the present instance, for the K's R. is at once brought to bear on the Black King's entrenchments.
- 15…Rff8 This advance of the K. B's P. effectually prevented Black from carrying out his intention of bringing Q's R. to K. B's sq., on account of the threatened move of Kt. to K's 6th; and the retreat of the K's R. was no doubt caused by M. Baucher's wish to bring his Knight into play, which he could not now do without leaving his Rook en prise.
- 16.Ne6 White has now a very fine game.
- 18.Qe2 Mr. Morphy is evidently possessed of the rarest genius for chess. From the commencement of the game he makes such a disposition of his pieces that, after serving his purpose to the utmost, they may be brought at once, and without the least loss of time, to bear on any given point of the adversary's game. The move in the text is a good illustration of our remark; for the Queen, after having for some time maintained a position of importance, is now brought back, and becomes even more powerful than before. This move is the commencement of a very masterly combination.
- 19…Qc8 To get rid of the Knight by playing B. to Q's 2nd, and to allow the Q's P. to take Bishop if Black's Knight were captured.
- 21.Rf3 The key move of a beautiful combination, and the more admirable when we remember that it takes place in a game contested simultaneously with seven others, against strong players, and all without sight of board or men.
- 22…h6 If 22 ... R. to K's sq., White wins, as follows: 23. Q. to K. R's 5th, P. to K. R's 3rd; 24. Kt. takes Kt's P., B. to B's sq. (we can see nothing better; if K. to Kt's sq., White would win with R. to K. Kt's 3rd); 25. Q. takes R's P. (ch.), K. to Kt's sq.; 26. Q. to R's 7th (ch.), K. to B's 2nd; and White mates in two moves.
- 23.Qd2 Played in excellent style.
- 23…Kh7 In order to avert the threatened mate.
- 25.Rxh6+ We again give a diagram of the position, which deserves the student's close examination. Mr. Morphy's play here is a remarkable specimen of brilliancy and correctness.
[Event "Morphy blindfold sim +6-0=2"] [Site "Paris (Cafe de la Regence)"] [Date "1858.09.27"] [Round "1(1)"] [White "Morphy, Paul"] [Black "Baucher, Henri"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Qxd4 Nc6 5. Bb5 Bd7 6. Bxc6 Bxc6 7. Bg5 f6 8. Bh4 Nh6 9. Nc3 Be7 10. O-O O-O 11. Qc4+ Kh8 12. Nd4 Qd7 13. Rad1 Rf7 14. f4 a5 15. f5 Rff8 16. Ne6 Rg8 17. a4 Ng4 18. Qe2 Ne5 19. Bg3 Qc8 20. Bxe5 dxe5 21. Rf3 Bd7 22. Rh3 h6 23. Qd2 Kh7 24. Qxd7 Bd6 25. Rxh6+ Kxh6 26. Rd3 Kh5 27. Qf7+ 1-0