Morphy, Paul VS Loewenthal, Johann Jacob 1850.05.25

Annotations

Morphy against Löwenthal, New Orleans, May 1850 — played when Morphy was twelve years old, during Löwenthal's visit to the city; a Sicilian won by the boy. Notes by Löwenthal.

1. 9…cxd4 This is an injudicious move, as it must cost Black his Q's P.
2. 17.f5 Well-timed, and threatening to become very troublesome to Black by advancing to the 6th.
3. 17…Qh4 Hastily played; P. to K. B's 3rd is much better.
4. 22.Qh5 Exceedingly well played, threatening to win Black's Kt., and acquiring a splendid attack.
5. 23.Bxh7+ Let the reader consider that all this was played by a mere child.
6. 23…Kf8 Had Black taken B. with Q., White would have replied with Kt. to K's 7th (ch.), and then Q. takes Kt., &c., winning a clear piece.
7. 28…Qxg2+ K. R. takes Kt. might have been better. All the latter moves of the game are played by the young Morphy with remarkable accuracy.

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