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Paul Morphy (2850) - Some Amateur (2200) [C34]

Club/Casual Game New Orleans, LA; 1858.

[Annotator = A.J. Goldsby I]

A new, and completely fresh look at this classic game.

A MODEL Morphy game. (White's execution of his attack is PERFECT!!) ***

"Morphy's combinations usually ended in a mate, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Here he resorts to a device rarely seen in his time. He simplifies by a series of exchanges, to reach a position where the mere threat of a simple pin clinches the win." - Irving Chernev. ("The 1000 Best Short Games of Chess." Game # 898, page # 485.). This is game # 163 in the book: "PAUL MORPHY: And The Evolution of Chess Theory." Copyright (c) 1993, by Macon Shibut.

1.e4 e5; 2.f4 exf4; 3.Nf3 c6!?; ('?!') {Diagram?} Controls the center square on d5, but takes the best square away from Black's QN.

[ The best line for Black was: 3...d5!; 4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Bb5+ c6; 6.dxc6 Nxc6; 7.d4 Bd6; 8.Qe2+ Be6; 9.Ng5 0-0!; {Black has "compensation."} and Black gets a playable game. Another book line is: 3...d6; 4.d4 g5; 5.h4 g4; 6.Ng1 Bh6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Nge2 Qf6; 9.g3!, {"Unclear."} with complicated play for both sides. ]. (For a complete survey on the King's Gambit, visit the "Best Games" page of my Geo-Cities web-site ... and click on the game, "B. Spassky - D. Bronstein.")

4.Nc3 Bb4?!; {Diagram?} Black is in a rush to get rid of White's Knight. Yet later in the game, it is the LONG-RANGE Bishop that will be the (MUCH) more dangerous of the two minor pieces. "A continuing characteristic of all amateurs is that they rush to exchange off enemy Knights, so that the risk of a nasty knight fork is eliminated." - GM E. Mednis.

5.Bc4 Bxc3?; {Diagram?} Continuing with the idea expressed by his last move.

GM Mednis notes this is a bad move - mainly because it terribly weakens the dark-squares.

[ Much better was: 5...Qe7!?; "~" {Diagram?} when Black is congested, but is not yet lost.

Several writers have recommended the line: 5...d5; ('!') 6.exd5 Nf6!?; {"Comp."} gambiting a pawn. ].

6.dxc3!, {Diagram?} White captures away from the center! (Violating a general guide-line.) He opens up his Queen, his QB, pressures the d-file, prevents ...d5; and threatens to take the pawn on f4.

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[ Normally I teach my students to capture towards the center with, 6.bxc3, but the text is much sharper and much more accurate. ].

6...Ne7; {Diagram?} Black tries to develop.

[ The move, ...d5 just drops a pawn, while the move 6...d6?!; {Diagram?} gives Black problems defending the d6-square, after 7.Bxf4, "+/" ].

7.Qd6!, {Diagram?} (Maybe - '!!') Normally you do not bring out the Queen early.

But here there are 2 very good reasons for doing so: # 1.) The Queen on d6 is almost impervious to attack. # 2.) The Queen on d6 prevents Black from easily developing his entire Queen-side. Notice Black was also threatening ...d5; (A break in the center.); which White just prevented. "Cramping (preventing) the other fellow's development is just as just as important as completing your own." - Irving Chernev.

[ 7.0-0 d5!; "~" etc. ].

7...0-0; 8.Bxf4 Ng6; {Diagram?} Black tries to unravel his pieces. (And develop ... well, sort of anyway.) 9.Bg5!, {Diagram?} The best and the most aggressive move here.

[ A strong version of the computer program 'Crafty' wants to play the move: 9.Be3, "+/=" instead. ].

9...Qe8; {Diagram?} Black is trying defend. (This may be the best/forced move in this position.) [ Worse is: 9...Qb6?!; 10.0-0-0!, "+/" ].

With his next move, White offers Black a pawn. 10.0-0! Kh8; {Diagram?} Which Black probably wisely decides not to accept.

[ If 10...Qxe4?!; 11.Bb3, (11.Nd4!?) 11...b6; 12.Rae1! Qg4; 13.h3 Qh5; 14.Ne5! Nxe5; This is nearly forced. (14...Qxg5? 15.Rxf7 Ne7; (15...Rxf7?; 16.Bxf7+ Kh8; 17.Nxg6+! hxg6; 18.Qf8+ Kh7; 19.Qg8+ Kh6; 20.Qh8#) 16.Rxe7+ Kh8; 17.Nf7+ Kg8; 18.Nxg5+ Kh8; 19.Re8 h5; 20.Rxf8# ) 15.Rxe5 h6; {Diagram?} Black has no good move here. 16.Be7, "+/-" and White has a winning attack. ].

11.Rae1!, {Diagram} -----------> (See the diagram just below.)

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White has mobilized his entire army! (All pieces - or units from the 1st row - have been deployed ... on good posts.) He avoids moving any other piece until every unit is actively engaged!!!

***

GM Edmar Mednis writes: "Again admire Morphy's plan: It is only move 11 and ALL of his pieces have been actively and purposefully developed; moreover, his King is safely castled. On the other hand, Black is playing WITHOUT his Queenside. Under such conditions, combinations appear as if they, ... 'fell from out of the sky.' " - GM Edmar Mednis. (From the book: "Practical Opening Tips," page # 20.) [ Several Masters have recommended: 11.Nh4!?, as winning for White. ].

11...f6; {Diagram.} Black tries to drive White back. (He can do nothing right now, with White's pieces so deeply entrenched in his half of the board.) (This move {...f6} is also the first choice of many computer programs.) [ Black could also have tried: 11...b5!?; 12.Bb3, a5; 13.a4!? {Diagram?} White stops Black's pawn advance on the Queen-side. (Also possible was for White to play: 13.Nh4!? "+/") 13...bxa4; 14.Bxa4, Ba6; 15.Rf2, f6; 16.Rf2, "+/=" with the clearly better game for White. (NOTE: These lines are NOT re-playable. I added them later.) ].

12.e5!, {Diagram.} Morphy insists on opening lines!

[ White could also play: 12.Nh4!?, Or 12.Bd2!? ].

12...f5!; {Diagram?} Black wisely tries to keep lines closed.

Black MUST have been one of several things: #1.) A very strong player, capable of seeing that if he took the Bishop on g5; that White would get a winning attack; (and/or) #2.) He knew Morphy liked to open the game, and thus he simply wanted to keep the game

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closed; #3.) He had been destroyed by Morphy before, and was simply terrified of what the great genius might do, if given the chance!

It might have been this, or any number of things - or a combination of the factors listed above - that caused Morphy's opponent to play as he did.

[ A good example of what happens if Black foolishly OPENS lines is: 12...fxg5?; ('??') 13.Nxg5 Na6; 14.Rxf8+ Qxf8; 15.Re4! Nc5; 16.Qxg6! hxg6; 17.Rh4#. ].

With his next move, Morphy prepares to break the game wide open by the vigorous pawn push to e6. 13.Nd4 f4; 14.e6!, {Diagram?} Morphy single-mindedly continues to pursue open lines.

(This is one of the "Morphy Principles" in action. One of the things Morphy always did VERY SYSTEMATICALLY was to always open lines - once he had completed his development!!) [ Maroczy pointed out many years later that White could have played: 14.h4! h6; (14...f3!?); 15.h5 hxg5; 16.hxg6 g4!?; 17.Kf2!, {Diagram?} with Mate coming on the h-file. ].

14...dxe6; 15.Nxe6 Bxe6; 16.Rxe6 Qc8; {Diagram.} (This move looks forced.) It looks as if Black ALMOST has everything under control. But once again, Morphy finds a combination that brilliantly exploits Black's sadly under-developed game.

***

I also must point out that: A.) Morphy has calculated this entire combination out, even though it is nearly 10 moves long!!; & B.) Morphy may have had this whole thing planned well in advance!

***

17.Rxg6!!, (Maybe - '!!!') {Diagram?} An incredibly brilliant, very forceful, and well though-out sacrifice.

[ Other methods, such as: 17.h4!?, {"Compensation?"} are not nearly as good. ].

17...hxg6; 18.Qxg6, ('!') {Diagram?} Seemingly ... the obvious move. {But did White have a better one?} In fact this is such an obvious move ... that few people have even bothered to look for improvements at this particular point. But this move is not even in the top three picks of most strong computer {chess} programs here. Going over some old notes, I find that an improvement was suggested by (one) Rick Frye during one of my 'PCC' (Pensacola Chess Club) lectures. (Circa approximately 1977.) But I had forgotten all about this idea until Bjrnar Snoksrud e-mailed me and mentioned it again. (This note added: February 11th, 2004.) [ In all likelihood, White could improve with: >/= 18.Rf3!! Re8!; 19.Rxf4! Re1+; 20.Kf2! Re4!; 21.Rf8+! Kh7!?; 22.Bg8+!, {Diag?} Much better than simply grabbing the Queen here. ( Also sufficient was: 22.Rxc8!?, ("+/-") {Diagram?} which is probably good enough to make the average player resign. )

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22...Kh8; 23.Bf7+ Qxf8; {Diagram?} This is probably forced.

( /= 5.Ne5!?, {"comp"} "The Kieseritzsky Gambit." (See any standard reference work.) ]

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5...h6!? ; 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 ; 7.Qxg4!? , Condemned by some pundits - and also frowned upon by theory - but it looks like a perfectly reasonable move (to me) in this position. {It is also the first choice of several different computer programs.} [ Theory currently prefers: 7.d4 , as being superior to the text line. ] 7...Qf6? ; Just a bad and unnecessary play with the Queen ... so typical of the chess play of that era. [ Better is: >/= 7...Nf6 ; 8.Qxf4 Bd6; "/+" which clearly favors Black. (Several postal games clearly show that Black generally wins from this particular position.) ] 8.Bc4+ Ke7 ; 9.Nc3 c6 ; Other than Black's one Queen move, all the moves thus far have been ... more-or-less ... fairly decent and relatively reasonable. 10.e5!? , (hmmm) Rather than wait, Morphy sacrifices a Pawn here. [ Probably better was: 10.d4!? , ('!') with good play for the material. (GM Chris Ward calls this a viable, "dynamic alternative.") ]

10...Qxe5+ ; 11.Kd1 Kd8!? ; Not terrible - but this is definitely inferior to the obvious move of ...Knight-to-f6. (Which is far better than the move actually played.) Ward gives this move a whole question mark ... this definitely appears a bit extreme to me. 12.Re1 Qc5!? ; (Probably - '?') This LOOKS like a reasonable move, at least at a first, very casual glance. {But it is actually a mistake.} [ A really big improvement was: >/= 12...d6! ; 13.Qf3 Qg7! ; "/+" which obviously favors Black. (Maybe "-/+") ] 13.Bxg8 d5?! ; (Really - '?' or '??') This appears to be a VERY plausible move ... however it is refuted in an extremely spectacular fashion!!!

You might think, after at least a quick glance at this position, that Black is doing OK here. However, appearances are deceiving! [ Much better than the game would have been the continuation: >/= 13...d6! ; 14.Qg6!? , There are several playable moves in this position for White ... but not any choices that I would want to brag or write home about. (14.Be6 is {also} a plausible alternative.)

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( Much worse would be: /=) 16...Qxd5 ; is forced {for Black} in this position. (Most of my students say they would rather resign than play such a move!) ] 17.Qc7# , This is not a perfect game ... but definitely a highly entertaining one!! (Almost unbelievably ... Paul Morphy was no more than 12 years old when this miniature was played!!!) GM Chris Ward spends three whole pages annotating and analyzing this game in his excellent book: "The Genius of Paul Morphy." My notes are much inferior to his, and it is my hope that - if you really enjoyed this game - you would try to obtain a copy of this excellent book.

T. Lichtenhein (2420) - Paul Morphy (2800)

(Note: The above ratings are basically extrapolations, based on what the players would be [minimally] rated in the year 2000.)

(ECO Code =) [C55]

1st American Chess Congress New York City, NY, 1857.

One of the most brilliant games of the last century. (And probably one of my "Top Ten" favorite Morphy Games!!) It shows just how much talent Morphy really had. ALL the other Masters present during the game labeled Paul's 12th move a mistake. It is actually a very

brilliant move, and reminds me greatly of another chess genius, M. Tal. ***

This game is a brilliant example of the "Two-ROOK Sacrifice." (The Anderssen "Immortal Game" was probably the first great

example of this technique.) ***

This game has also been savaged by many writers who have greatly disparaged White's play. Yet few (if any!) players have successfully found ALL of Black's moves. And I have

showed this game dozens and dozens of times over the years. Even MASTER's have failed to correctly find all of Black's moves.

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(Click HERE to see this this game on a java-script re-play board.) ***

Note: I have annotated this game many times over the years.

1. e4 e5; Morphy's favorite response against 1. P-K4, or 1. e4. Morphy delighted in piece play, and there is more than ample opportunity for it in the Open Games.

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2.Nf3 Nc6; 3.d4, (!?) At one time thought to be inferior, but revived by Garry Kasparov in some of his World Championship encounters. (It is most likely that this move will lead to the Scotch Game, or even ... the Scotch Gambit. Click here to go to my "Traps Page.") It is certainly completely playable, and abides by all the opening principles. [ 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5, is the normal move order to arrive at the position we achieve in the game. ]. 3...exd4; 4.Bc4, (!?) Gambiting a pawn, which was common and accepted at that time. [ 4.Nxd4 is a straight Scotch Opening. ].

4...Nf6; 5.e5!?, {Diagram just below.}

(The position after 5.e5!?)

White thinks to disturb Morphy's development. [ 5.0-0!? Nxe4; transposes to The 'Max Lange Attack.' ].

Reti writes: "The most important thing in an open position is to bring ALL the pieces into play as quickly as possible. In open games, it is possible to obtain a perhaps superficial, but rapid and - for all practical purposes - an often sufficient opinion in regard to a position; simply by counting the [number of] pieces that have been developed." (R. Reti, in "Masters of the ChessBoard. " Pg. # 33.)

(In other words, if I have two pieces developed and my opponent has developed five, then my opponent may have a very large advantage. Things such as being ahead a pawn in such a situation is of a secondary, and a greatly diminished consideration.)

Now the great Morphy plays: 5...d5!; Black (Morphy) does not move or retreat a well-posted piece. Instead he vigorously counter-attacks in the center! (Hitting White's Bishop.) We now have transposed to a Scotch Opening.

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This thrust (5.e5, d5!), is common today, but was practically unheard of in Paul Morphy's time.

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"If 6. exf6, dxc4; 7.fxg7 Bxg7; and Black stands well." - Reinfeld.

6.Bb5 Ne4!; {Diagram just below.}

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(The position after 6...Ne4!) Again, no retreating!

Black's Knight occupies an advanced square in the center ... securely anchored by a pawn. This is known as an "outpost." (You should always strive to get your Knights to a square of this type. A good definition of an outpost is: "An advanced square, in or near the center, - or very near the opponent's King - where the Knight can occupy this square and is NOT easily driven off. The square should be firmly anchored (protected) by one of your own pawns. The 'driving away' process should always involve a significant weakening of your opponents' Pawn structure." - LM A.J. Goldsby I)

7.Nxd4 Bd7; 8. Nxc6?!, ('?') With this move, White will lose a tempo in the opening, which is not a good idea. (White's Bishop on b5 will be forced to retreat, or move again. Another loss of time.)

[ Better was: 8.Bxc6 bxc6; 9.0-0, ("+/=") ECO says this position is nearly equal. 9...Be7; 10.f3 Nc5; 11.Be3 Ne6; 12. Qe2 0-0; 13.c4!? Nxd4; 14.Bxd4 Be6; 15.Rd1 c5; 16.Be3 d4; 17. Bf2 Rb8; 18.b3 Qd7; 19.Nd2 Rbe8; ("=") Black may even be slightly better here. ("=/+") Variation by A.J. Goldsby I.].

8...bxc6; 9.Bd3 Bc5!; Rapid and active development! Morphy was never one to play passive moves. Notice Morphy has a threat against f2 now.

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Also please notice how Morphy has three pieces developed to his opponent's one! ***

"It is interesting that this natural move has been sort of forgotten by modern theory." - GM C. Ward

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10.Bxe4, Qh4!; (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram just below.}

This, and Black's next move, are in reality so complicated that I seriously doubt many people could have calculated this combination

to its logical conclusion. (See the analysis below!!) Perhaps Paul Morphy was guided by his superior intuition! (?)

Perhaps just sheer genius?

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(The position after 10...Qh4!)

The move, 10...Qh4 is a zwischenzug, or an in-between move. This is a nice way for Black to keep the advantage.

11.Qe2, This has the appearance of being a {half-way} decent move.

GM Edmar Mednis writes: >

[See: "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips," page # 21-23.]

[ Not 11.Bf3?? Qxf2#; or if 11.g3?? Qxe4+; 12.Qe2 Qxh1+; 13.Qf1 Qxh2; ("-/+") ].

11...dxe4; 12.Be3?, (?!) (Maybe this move is only dubious.) "Certainly now 12.0-0 would be better." - GM Chris Ward

[ 12. 0-0, (E.C.O.). 12...Rb8; ("=/+") is slightly better for Black, but VASTLY better than the game continuation. ].

Reti writes: "In open positions, especially in cases of retarded development, the safety of the King should be the first consideration. Castling was therefore imperative." (R. Reti, in "Masters of the Chess Board," pg. # 35.)

12...Bg4!!; (Maybe - '!!!') This move had to be calculated VERY precisely. In fact, in order to be 100% sure of the win, Paul Morphy would have had to calculate OVER 15 moves ahead!!! (I don't think Morphy calculated this far ahead, but probably relied on his incredible intuition, instincts, and just plain PURE GENIUS.) Edge wrote (in a similar situation) that although the winning line may have been very complex, Morphy never calculated for longer than 5-10 minutes. Sometimes Morphy would respond instantly with a tactical shot that would simply amaze his contemporaries. It is too bad that we will never be able to accurately test Morphy's powers of calculation. But I would be willing to bet, that he would have been able to hold his own with any player of any age, judging from what we do know - and what people have written about Morphy. (I remember seeing this game as a very young person. I played - sensing the possibility of Qc4 - 12...Bb6. This move would lead to a slight advantage for Black, especially if White captures on d6 and undoubles Black's pawns.) ---> GM C. Ward calls this a stroke of genius - that was carefully calculated out to the end.

13.Qc4, {Diagram just below.}

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(The position after 13. Qc4!?)

It appears that Black has outsmarted himself, for it seems that Black must lose material. But all this has been calculated out to the very end by Morphy!

GM Mednis writes: "White must counter-attack, since the safe 13. Qd2, loses routinely to 13...Rd8, with mate on d1 coming up."

[ 13.Qf1? Bxe3; 14.g3 Qg5; 15.f4, If 15. fxe3?? Qxe3+; 16.Qe2, (forced) 16...Qxe2#. 15...Qf5; ("-/+") and Black has won a piece. Or 13.Qd2? Rd8; 14.Qc3 Rd1#. ]

13...Bxe3!; Black fearlessly continues the attack.

14.g3!, [box], {Diagram?} This move is forced, and shows just what a strong player Lichtenhein was. Many Masters have played 14. Qxc6+ here. (When I showed them this position and asked them what the correct move was for White.) {Castling was an idea worth consideration here for White.}

[ Now Soltis and Reinfeld give: 14. Qxc6+, { "?!" - A.J.G. } 14...Bd7!!; The only way to make progress. Black sacrifices one rook, (offering two;), all to get to White's King. ( 14...Kf8; {'?'} 15.Qxa8+?! Ke7; 16.g3, "~" (Maybe '') Chris Ward gives the line: (

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Var. # 5.) 18. Ke2?? Qc4+; 19. Kxe3 Rxa8; ("-/+") So it appears that 18. Ke1, is clearly forced here. *************************************

(Returning to the main analysis line.) 18...Qb4+; 19. c3 Qxb2; 20. Qe4,

[ And now if: 20. Qxh8? Qf2+!; The most direct. (Also winning is: 20...Bg4!?; ("-/+") 21. Nd2 Qxd2+; 22. Kf1 Qf2#.) 21. Kd1 Ba4+; 22. Kc1 Qc2#; or 20. Qf3 Qxa1!; { Not: (a1.) 20...Qc1+?; 21.Qd1. ("=") or also bad is: (a2.) 21.Ke2?? Bb5+; 22.c4 Bxc4#. } 21.Qb7 Qxa2; 22.Rf1, Rd8; ("-/+") and now Black is winning easily. ]

20...Qc1+; 21. Ke2 Bb5+; 22. c4, Bxc4+; 23. Kf3, ( Or 23.Qxc4 Qxc4+; 24.Kxe3 Qc5+; {"-/+"} ) 23...Qxh1+; 24. Kxe3 Qe1+; 25. Kf3 Qf1+; 26. Ke3 Qe2+; 27. Kf4, (Or 27.Kd4? Rd8+;), 27...g5+!; 28. Kf5 Be6+; 29. Kxg5 Qxe4; ("-/+") Black is winning easily.] (The end of the Reinfeld / Soltis Variation.)

***

(And now we return to the analysis of the actual game.)

14...Qd8!; "Even in retreat, Morphy finds a way to attack!" (Threatening a mate on d1, should White become careless. [ 14...Qh6; 15. Qxe4 Bc1; ("-/+") ].)

15.fxe3, The alternatives here are clearly inferior. [ 15.Qxc6+? Bd7; 16.Qxe4 Bb6; and Black has won a piece. ("-/+") Or 15.Qxe4?? Qd1#. Or 15. Nc3, (To cover d1.) 15...Bb6; ("-/+") ].

15...Qd1+; 16.Kf2 Qf3+!; One New York reporter wrote (in his newspaper) That White had probably been expecting the capture of the Rook on h1 here. (Not 16...QxR/h1?!; 17. QxP/c6+, and White gets a lot of counterplay.)

17.Kg1 Bh3!!; (Black has other ways to win here, but this is clearly the best! AND the quickest!)

18.Qxc6+ Kf8!; Black offers to give away BOTH his Rooks, the first with check!! (It was not until I began analyzing this game with students again that I realized how difficult some of these moves are to find for the average player. July, 2001.)

***

18...Ke7?; gives White needless counterplay. 19.Qxc7+, and the game goes on. (This is the line that most of my students choose at this point.)

19.Qxa8+ Ke7; ('!') {Diagram just below.} (Not 19...Bd7?; Which gives White more chances.)

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(The position after 19...Ke7.)

White Resigns. 0 - 1.

(Mate is unavoidable. I.e., 20. Qxe4!?, Qf1#!) Paul Morphy (2800) - Some Amateur (2200)

[C34] Club Game (?) (Casual Game)

New Orleans, LA; 1858.

[A.J. Goldsby I]

A model Morphy game. Also a great game for teaching beginners. (I have taught this game probably several hundred times!!) You will definitely need a chess board, as there are NO diagrams here.

(Click HERE if you would like to see this game on a java-script, re-play board!!)

"Morphy's combinations usually ended in mate, or a reasonable facsimile thereof. Here he resorts to a device rarely seen in his time. He simplifies by a series of exchanges, to reach a position where the mere threat of a simple pin clinches the win." - IRVING CHERNEV.

***

1. e4 e5; 2. f4 exf4; 3. Nf3 c6!?; ('?!') Controls the center square on d5, but takes the best square away from Black's QN.

[ The best line for Black was: 3...d5!; 4.exd5 Nf6; 5.Bb5+ c6; 6.dxc6 Nxc6; 7.d4 Bd6; 8.Qe2+ Be6; 9.Ng5 0-0!; {Comp.} and Black gets a playable game. Another book line is: 3...d6; 4.d4 g5; 5.h4 g4; 6.Ng1 Bh6; 7.Nc3 c6; 8.Nge2 Qf6; 9.g3!, with complicated play for both sides. ]

4. Nc3 Bb4?!; {Diagram?} Black is in a rush to get rid of White's Knight. Yet later in the game, it is the LONG-RANGE Bishop that will be the more dangerous of the two minor pieces!!

5. Bc4 Bxc3?; {Diagram?} Continuing with the idea expressed by his last move.

[ Much better was: 5...Qe7!?; "~" ]

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6. dxc3!, {Diagram?} White captures away from the center!

He opens up his Queen, his QB, pressures the d-file, prevents ...d5; and threatens to take the pawn on f4.

[ Normally I teach my students to capture towards the center with, 6.bxc3, but the text is much sharper and much more accurate. ]

6...Ne7; 7. Qd6!, {Diagram?} Normally you do not bring out the Queen early!

But here there are 2 good reasons for doing so: # 1.) The Queen on d6 is almost impervious to attack. # 2.) The Queen on d6 prevents Black from easily developing his entire Queen-side. (White's Queen on d6 plays the role of blockader ... something that is normally reserved for the Knights. And as long as the Queen is on d6, Black can never push his QP. And as long as the QP cannot move, Black will be unable to find a reasonable development of all of his Queen-side pieces.) Notice Black was also threatening ...d5; (A break in the center.); which White just prevented!

[ 7.0-0 d5!; etc. Black is doing pretty well here. ]

7...0-0; 8. Bxf4 Ng6; 9. Bg5 Qe8; {Diagram?} Black is trying defend.

With his next move, White offers Black a pawn. ("Take my e-Pawn, PLEASE!!") 10. 0-0!, {Diagram?} The White King is safest on the King-side. There is no reason to castle on the Q-side. Plus with a King-side deployment ... White exerts very powerful pressure down the f-file.

White is also offering a gambit. (The KP is open to possible capture.) 10...Kh8; {Diagram?} Which Black probably wisely decides not to accept.

[ If 10...Qxe4?!; 11.Bb3, (11.Nd4!?) 11...b6; 12.Rae1! Qg4; 13.h3 Qh5; 14.Ne5! Nxe5; ( 14...Qxg5?; 15.Rxf7 Ne7; (If 15...Rxf7?; 16.Bxf7+ Kh8; 17.Nxg6+! hxg6; 18.Qf8+ Kh7; 19.Qg8+ Kh6; 20.Qh8#) 16.Rxe7+ Kh8; 17.Nf7+ Kg8; 18.Nxg5+ Kh8; 19.Re8 h5; 20.Rxf8# ) 15.Rxe5 h6; Black has no good move here. 16.Be7, "+/-" and White has a winning attack. ]

11. Rae1!, {Diagram?} White has mobilized his entire army!

He avoids moving any other piece until every unit is actively engaged!!!

GM Edmar Mednis writes:

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[ White could also play: 12.Nh4!?; or 12.Bd2!? ]

12...f5!; {Diagram?} Black wisely tries to keep lines closed.

The player guiding the Black army MUST have been one of several things: #1.) A very strong player, capable of seeing that if he took the Bishop on g5, that White would get a winning attack; #2.) He knew Morphy liked to open the game, and thus he simply wanted to keep the game closed; #3.) He had been destroyed by Morphy before, and was simply terrified of what the great genius might do, if given the chance!

***

It might have been this, or any number of things - or a combination of the factors listed above - that caused Morphy's opponent to play as he did.

[ A good example of what happens if Black foolishly OPENS lines is: 12...fxg5?; ('??') 13.Nxg5 Na6; 14.Rxf8+ Qxf8; 15.Re4! Nc5; 16.Qxg6! hxg6; 17.Rh4#. ]

13. Nd4 f4; 14. e6!, (Maybe - '!!') {Diagram?} Morphy single-mindedly continues to pursue the idea of opening lines.

[ Maroczy pointed out many years later that White could have played: 14.h4! h6; (14...f3!?) 15.h5 hxg5; 16.hxg6 g4; 17.Kf2!, with Mate coming on the h-file. ]

14...dxe6; 15. Nxe6 Bxe6; 16. Rxe6 Qc8; {Diagram?} It looks as if Black ALMOST has everything under control.

But once again, Morphy finds a combination that brilliantly exploits the state Black's sadly under-developed game.

I also must point out that: A.) Morphy has calculated this entire combination out, even though it is nearly 10 moves long!!; & B.) Morphy may have had this whole thing planned well in advance! 17. Rxg6!! hxg6; 18. Qxg6, ('!') Seemingly ... the obvious move. {But did White have a better one?} In fact this is such an obvious move ... that few people have even bothered to look for improvements at this particular point. But this move is not even in the top three picks of most strong computer {chess} programs here. Going over some old notes, I find that a large improvement was {first} suggested by one Rick Frye, during one of my 'PCC' (Pensacola Chess Club) lectures. (Circa approximately 1977.) But I had forgotten all about this idea until Bjrnar Snoksrud e-mailed me and mentioned it again. (This note added: February 11th, 2004.) [ In all likelihood, White could improve with: >/= 18.Rf3!! Re8!; 19.Rxf4! Re1+; 20.Kf2! Re4!; 21.Rf8+! Kh7!?; 22.Bg8+!, {D?} Much better than simply grabbing the Queen here. ( Also sufficient was: 22.Rxc8!?, ("+/-") {Diagram?} which is probably good enough to make the average player resign. ) 22...Kh8; 23.Bf7+ Qxf8; {Diagram?} This is probably forced.

(

16

24.Qxf8+ Kh7; 25.Qg8#.

****************************************************

White could have also played: (>/=) = 18.Rxf4! Rxf4; 19.Qxf4, ("+/-") {Diagram?} and the only way Black can stop mate is to give up the Queen with ...Qg8. ]

18...Qf5; 19. Rxf4! Qxg6; 20. Rxf8+ Kh7; 21. Bg8+, (!) 21...Kh8; 22. Bf7+ Kh7; 23. Bxg6+ Kxg6; 24. Bf4, ('!') Black resigns.

1 - 0

Black is going to lose a piece due to the pin on the back rank.

One of Morphy's prettiest games, and one that has withstood the rigors of analysis for nearly 150 years. (It is also a tremendous teaching vehicle and shows clearly - the dangers of lost tempi and poor development.)

Napoleon V. Marache (2450) - Paul Charles Morphy (2800) [C52]

U.S. Championship (Chess Congress) New York, NY; 1857

[A.J. Goldsby I]

Chernev writes: "Morphy's name is synonymous with brilliancy, but never in his life did Morphy make a move more dazzling than his nineteenth (move) in this game. It makes a beautiful climax to the attack, and winds the game up in a blaze of glorious Technicolor." [ The book, {The} "1000 Best, Short Games of Chess," by Irving Chernev. Game # 616; pages # 312-313. ] I will only say that the game is beautiful beyond my ability to describe it. I can also (maybe) understand why (some) people tried to discredit Morphy and his contemporaries. After his games, no one else had anything to brag about!!!

Lawson writes: " A chess teacher searching for a classic example of a 'positional sacrifice' will find it here on Black's eleventh move. The game itself has a happy ending for everybody: Morphy wins and Marache gets "Knighted." " [ See David Lawson's book, "Paul Morphy, The Pride and Sorrow of Chess." Game # 18, pg. # 349. ]

***

1. e4 e5; 2. Nf3 Nc6; 3. Bc4 Bc5; {Diagram?} One of the oldest lines in all of chess.

White's next move initiates the, "Evans Gambit." (A variant of - and in - the Italian Game. The Italian Game is ANY line after - - - 1. e4, e5; 2, Nf3, Nc6; 3. Bc4, Bc5;) This opening (The Evan's) was once described, "As a gift from the gods to a languishing chess world." (!!!) I will also say the Evans was considered UNSOUND for virtually my entire career, until Kasparov crushed Anand with it! (Late 90's.)

4. b4!? Bxb4; {Diagram?} The gambit accepted. Black should not be afraid to take.

{ 4...Bb6!?; 5.a4 a6; 6.Nc3 Nf6; 7.Nd5 Nxd5; 8.exd5 Nd4; 9.a5 Ba7; 10.d6! cxd6; 11.0-0 0-0; 12.Nxd4 Bxd4; The end of column # 6. 13.c3 Ba7; 14.Qf3, "White has compensation for the material invested." - GM P. Leko. [ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. #6); and note # (z.).] }

5. c3 Ba5; 6.d4!, {Diagram?}

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The most energetic. (White attacks the center in a way that was not all that common in those days.) { White can also play the very logical 6.0-0!?, "White has compensation for his pawn." 6...d6!; This is the "Lasker's Defense." This line virtually killed the Evan's for many years. 7.d4 Bb6; 8.dxe5 dxe5; 9.Qb3, ('!') The best line for White. ( Less than best is: 9.Qxd8+!? Nxd8; 10.Nxe5 Be6; 11.Be2 Ne7; 12.Nc4 Ndc6; 13.Bf4, "=" Anageliev - V. Ivanov; Ashkhabad, 1995. [ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 1); and note # (c.).] ) 9...Qf6; 10.Bg5 Qg6; 11.Bd5 Nge7; 12.Bxe7 Kxe7; The end of column # 1. 13.Bxc6 Qxc6; 14.Nxe5 Qe6; 15.Nc4, Probably the best. (15.Qa3+ Qd6; "And Black is OK." - Levenfish.); 15...Rd8; 16.Qb4+ Ke8; 17.Nxb6, ("=") "The position is equal." - Y. Estrin. [See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. # 1); and note # (d.).] }

6...exd4; {Diagram?} Acceptance is virtually forced. (Black cannot retain the strong-point on e5 without making his position the worse for it.) { The computer gives: 6...d6!?; ('?!') 7.Qb3 Qd7; 8.dxe5, Is this forced? ( MCO gives the line: 8.Nbd2 Bb6; 9.a4 Nf6; 10.a5 Nxa5; 11.Rxa5 Bxa5; 12.dxe5 Ng4; "=/+" The end of column # 4. "After: 13.exd6 Bb6; 14.h3 Nxf2; 15.Rf1 0-0; 16.Ba3 cxd6; 17.Rxf2 Bxf2+; 18.Kxf2, a weird material balance arises that is slightly in White's favor." - GM Nick DeFirmian. ---> Note that the computer greatly favors Black. {"/+"} But here I prefer the GM's evaluation! {A.J.G.} [ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 4); and note # (o.).] ) 8...Bb6; 9.Nbd2 Na5; 10.Qc2 Nxc4; 11.Nxc4 Bc5; 12.exd6 cxd6; 13.Be3 Bxe3; 14.Nxe3 Ne7; 15.0-0 0-0; 16.Rad1 Qc7; 17.Rd2, ("+/=") but I think this line is terrible for Black, he is slightly inferior and has no real chances for generating meaningful counterplay.}

7. e5!?, (Maybe - '?!/?') {Diagram?} Maybe not the best, although this was (seems to be) "accepted theory" at the time. (I have found many examples of this line that pre-date this game!) Mednis gives this move a question mark. (I think this is far too harsh.) GM Mednis then goes on to write: "White must look for rapid development as compensation for the sacrificed material. The text does not further development and meets a clear refutation. The developing move, 7. 0-0, is in order when 7...Nge7; is considered by theory to be the only correct response; eventual equality is the most likely outcome." [See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips," by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.] { Correct was: 7.0-0!, ("White has compensation for the material invested.") but this move is the result of nearly 200 years of development in opening theory!! Sometimes, it is easy - far too easy! - to forget this. 7...Nge7; The best according to theory. ( 7...dxc3?!; "The Compromised Defence." - It is considered very risky by modern-day theory. 8.Qb3 Qf6; 9.e5! Qg6; 10.Nxc3 Nge7; 11.Ba3 0-0; 12.Rad1, "With good compensation for the material AND a strong initiative." [ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. # 3.); and note # (k.).] ) 8.cxd4 d5; 9.exd5 Nxd5; 10.Ba3 Be6; 11.Bb5 f6; 12.Qa4 Bb6; The end of the column. 13.Bxc6+ bxc6; 14.Qxc6+ Kf7; ("=") (Analysis by Botterill.) "Black is slightly better." - GM Nick DeFirmian. (According to the computers, the position is nearly dead-equal. It also looks very equal to me. - LM A.J. Goldsby I.) [ See MCO-14; pages 27-28, columns 1-6, (mainly col. 2); and note # (h.).] }

7...d5!; {Diagram?} Chernev also awards this move an exclam.

Black immediately gains some space for his pieces by countering in the center. (Controlling the center is the single most important thing you do in the opening!)

8. exd6 Qxd6; 9.0-0!, {Diagram?} White correctly castles, despite many attractive alternatives.

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[ Interesting is: 9.Qb3!? "~" {Diagram?} The position is unclear, or maybe slightly better for Black. ]

9...Nge7!; {Diagram?} I believe this is the correct course for Black. (He must develop as quickly as possible. Or perish!) [ Most strong computer programs prefer: 9...dxc3!?; ("/+") giving Black (now) as much better. But White can play: 10.Qb3!, with a very strong attack. (And some good compensation for the material invested.) ]

10. Ng5!?, (Maybe -'?!/'?') {Diagram?} Sergeant gives this move a question mark, and recommends instead B-R3 followed by R-K1. [See the book," "Morphy's Games of Chess," by Phillip W. Sergeant. Game # CLXI, pg. # 223.] This may be an improvement over the actual game, but does NOT give White the better game. (Nothing gives White the better game at this point.) The move Ng5 is certainly a time waster, and the kind of move Morphy showed his brilliance against. (I must also add I have taught this game dozens and dozens and dozens of times over the years. And a lot of people will pick Ng5 as the move White ought to play here!) GM Edmar Mednis writes: (After giving 10. Ng5 a question mark.) "White is insufficiently developed to expect anything from such a Knight sally. 10. Ba3, Qf6; 11. cxd4, is logical; with some compensation for the pawn." [See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips," by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.] [ Better is 10.Ba3! Qf4; ("=/+") ]

10...0-0; 11. Bd3, (!?) {Diagram?} Maybe not the best. But it is also hard to come up with viable alternative for White.

GM Mednis's comments are very illuminating here. He writes: " Notice how White is attempting to attack by moving the same pieces repeatedly ... rather than bringing new soldiers into play. Morphy, therefore, decides that he can both complete his development and gain a safe material advantage by an exchange sacrifice. In return, he will get 2-3 pawns and a clear initiative. " [See the book, "Practical {Chess} Opening Tips," by GM Edmar Mednis. Pg.'s 22-23.] I will only add that White threatens Qh5 with a nearly winning attack. Morphy is as brilliant in defense as he is in attack. - LM A.J. Goldsby I

[ 11.cxd4 Qxd4; ("=/+") ] 11...Bf5!; {Diagram?} This move is given an exclam by no less than GM Mednis.

[ My computer likes: 11...h6!?; "(-/+") ]

12. Bxf5 Nxf5; {Diagram?} To me, Black's position is not all that impressive. (At least, not right at this moment!) With his next move, White wins the exchange.

13. Ba3, ('!?') {Diagram?} White takes the bait.

(He may as well, he will get little else from Morphy!) [ 13.cxd4? Qxd4; "/+" (Maybe - "-/+".) ]

13...Qg6; {Diagram?} The Queen gets out of the way. Chernev writes: "Black is glad to give up the exchange. For his Rook, Morphy gets a Knight ... and three tempo's! And NOBODY knew the value of

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time better than Morphy." (Emphasis mine.)

14.Bxf8 Qxg5!; {Diagram?} Perhaps a shock ... especially if you were expecting a simple recapture on f8! (This is a good example of an "In-Between move," or a "Zwischenzug.") Now White must lose yet ANOTHER tempo and retreat his Bishop.

15. Ba3, {Diagram?} White must retreat or lose another piece.

The loss of tempi here is very subtle and easy to miss. (Most of my students have failed to correctly identify where White's big tempo loss was.) This piece has already moved 3 times (!!) {Ba3, BxR/f8, then B back to a3}; and will wind up moving two more times!

[ 15.Bb4!? ]

15...dxc3; {Diagram?} Amazingly, Black has THREE Pawns for the lost exchange. The pawn on c3 prevents White from moving anything on the Queenside. And he is about to get his Rook on d8 into the game with YET ANOTHER gain of time. (The computers already give the assessment of "-/+" or "Black is winning.") GM Mednis writes: "White has no chance of coping with Black's initiative." (To say the least!)

16. Bc1, {Diagram?} A natural looking move.

White wants the Black Queen to move from its very imposing square. GM Mednis writes: "The attempt to bring over the Bishop to help out on the Kingside will be insufficient, but there is nothing satisfactory."

Note White has already moved this Bishop four (4!) times, (B-R3, BxR/f8, Bishop back to R3, then B-B1); and will move it once more. (It maybe the losses of time with this one piece that could be the decisive factor of this game.) [ White could have also played: 16.Qd3!? Ne5!; ("/+") Or maybe ("-/+"). ]

16...Qg6; {Diagram?} The Queen 'ducks'. Very subtle. White probably thinks he is gaining time by attacking the Black Queen. But since the Queen only loses one tempo, (And gets to a much better square where she is well protected!); and the Bishop moves for the FOURTH (4th) time, Black actually GAINS THREE TEMPI!! (With this one move!)

17. Bf4!?, {Diagram?} Making a brave attempt.

White is trying hard; given enough time (!) he may eventually unravel all his pieces. (Now the plan is probably Na3-c2, followed by the mobilization of all his other pieces.) This is also WHITE's FIFTH (5th) MOVE WITH THIS BISHOP!!!!! [ Maybe White should try: 17.h3!? ]

17...Rd8; {Diagram?} Another gain of time. And the White Queen now has few ... ... if any!!! ... viable squares. (For his lady.)

18. Qc2, {Diagram?} Its easy to label this a mistake.

It is hard (impossible!) to come up with a move or a plan to extricate White.

20

[ 18.Qc1!? ]

18...Ncd4; {Diagram?} And yet another gain of time. One begins to wonder if Chernev could count!! (This is like the 5th one. I thought he said Black only won three tempo!) GM Mednis writes: "Black just walks in on the fifth-rank central squares, which have been left unattended because of (the) lack of development on White's part."

19. Qe4, {Diagram?} Losing. But so did everything else.

"White's game is lost anyhow." - Sergeant.

[ Sergeant provides the following variations: 19.Qd3 Ng3; ("-/+") Or 19.Rd1 Ng3!; 20.Qxg6 Nde2#; Or 19.Qa4 b5!; 20.Qxa5 Ne2+; 21.Kh1 Nxf4; 22.Rg1, (Or 22.g3 Qc6+; 23.f3 Qxf3+; 24.Rxf3 Rd1+; 25.Rf1 Rxf1#) 22...Rd1!!; 23.g3 Qc6+!, etc. ("-/+" ... & mate shortly!) ] 19...Ng3!!; {Diagram?} White Resigns. 0 - 1.

Chernev writes: "If 20. QxQ/g6, then N/d4-e7 is mate! White's Queen is attacked, and if he tries 20. Qe1, then 20...N/d4-e2+; wins the Queen and Bishop for the two Knights. White - of course! - RESIGNED. Everybody was crying!"

I can only say if someone else had written this, it would not be believable. But Chernev's credentials are impeccable and unimpeachable. I must also note that Chernev gave out VERY FEW double-exclamation points to moves, but Black's 19th move is one of the few to be showered with praise and receive the "!!"

This game is one of ultra-brilliance and of the very first magnitude. Easily one of the prettiest games ever played in a U.S. Championship. (Several have called this an "off-hand game," but this conflicts with both what was written about his game in the newspapers, and the game score given by several sources, including the CB database.) One should also remember that many events were "impromptu," and chess organization hardly existed in any form in those days. (Many players felt they had been unfairly excluded from the Congress. They wanted a chance to play the new champ. Morphy, on the other hand, seemed eager to prove himself against all comers!) One writer, in a N.Y. newspaper, wrote: "This is one of the finest game specimens recorded ever played on American Soil." ] Sergeant compares this ending to the game, Levitsky- Marshall; Breslau, 1912.

Macon Shibut mentions this as one of the best combinations that Morphy ever played. [See the book, "Paul Morphy," And The Evolution of Chess Theory." By Macon Shibut. Game # 108, pg. # 214.] I have seen this game in literally DOZENS of books over the years. (I have quoted several here in the analysis of this game.) I have also seen this game in many magazines over the last 25 years, and I cannot possibly remember all the times I have seen this game mentioned. I also wanted to thank two friends, who asked not to be named. These selfless individuals, (one from New York, one from Cleveland); poured over old newspaper accounts (Micro-film) and copied them and sent them to me. "The White Collection," in Cleveland is a treasure-house of such information. (I have been there a few times, and hope to return again someday.) (I have also taught this game literally hundreds of times over the last 25 years!) [ Still need to see more proof that White is lost? Then 19...Ng3!!;

{See the diagram just below for this picturesque final position.}

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The final position of the game.

20.Qxd4 , The computer says this move is forced. (Or 20.Qxg6?? Nde2#; Or 20.Qe1? Nde2+; 21.Qxe2[] Nxe2+; 22.Kh1 Nxf4; ("-/+"); Or 20.hxg3?, White loses his Queen this way on any recapture of the Black Knight on g3! and now Black plays - 20...Qxe4; ("-/+"), with an easy win.) 20...Ne2+; 21.Kh1 Rxd4; ("-/+") Black has an easy win on material. ]

Stepan M. Levitsky (2498) - Frank J. Marshall (2675) [C10]

DSB-18.Kongress, (German Open Championships) (Round # 6), Breslau, GER 1912

***

This game contains one of the single most amazing moves ever played on a chessboard!!

It is also the legendary ... "SHOWER OF GOLD PIECES" game!! (After the game, the board was reputedly covered with gold marks, gold crowns, and gold sovereigns. Many newspaper columns said the spectators became so excited they threw coins, as if to reward Marshall for his brilliance.). Prior to annotating this game, (or at least attempting to!); I did a lot of research. I checked dozens of older books and old magazines, and I also spent a great deal of time in my database, and also on-line. (Internet.). Unfortunately - over a dozen 'chess reference' books gave NO mention of the player who championed the White pieces in this game. (Levitsky/Lewitsky.).

Stepan (Stephen) Mikhailovich (Michael) Levitsky - Levitsky (some db's give Lewitsky) was born in 1876 and died in 1924, when he was just 47. (Cause of death?). He was a Russian/Soviet player, who may [also] have been of Polish descent, and he was almost definitely Jewish. (As many good chess players seem to be also of Semitic origin.). He was an inveterate KP-player, who was addicted to the Giuoco Piano. He scored moderately well with the White pieces, but poorly with the Black pieces.

{ The common misconception seems to be ... } Many players have thought he was a "real fish," and ... "not really of true Master strength." Quite the opposite seems to be true, he was definitely a real Master-level player. (When he was nearly 20, Tchigorin himself labeled this player, "Russia's New Chess Hope." !!). (ChessBase gives him a near 2500 ELO-rating.).

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While he never won a MAJOR international tourney, he did win at least one minor event. My database indicates he played in several German (Open) Championships, probably by invitation. He scored third in Vilna, 1912; (according to an Oxford Encyclopedia cross-table); behind Rubinstein and Bernstein, but AHEAD of many stars such as Nimzovich, Alekhine, and Levenvish!!! He also came in like 6th, (in a field of over 20 players); in the 1903 Russian Champ; (Kiev) ... (Won by the legendary Tchigorin!!) ... scoring a very respectable 10.5 out of a possible 18 points.

In ChessBase's "Career Highlight's," they have Levitsky playing a 10-game match, (St. Petersburg, 1913.); against Alekhine. Although he lost by the somewhat lop-sided margin of 7-3; CB gives Alekhine's rating as "2774" and Levitsky's as "2596." (This was/is considered a pretty respectable result, especially considering who his opponent was!!! and ..... Adjusting for rating inflation, this means Levitsky would definitely be a GM today, especially by the watered-down standards of modern-day!!). He was most active in the period, 1910 - 1914; probably his chess activities, (like SO many others!!) were interrupted by WWI. (He played over 80 games during this period.). He was something of an innovator. Several modern ideas in the opening can be traced to him.

Unfortunately, very little else is known about this player.

***

Frank James Marshall - Marshall's story is very well known. He was one of ... - THE FIVE ORIGINAL (!) GRAND-MASTERS of Chess!!!!! - (From St. Petersburg, 1914. Click here for more info on this event.) - and U.S. Champion from 1906 to 1936. (He was also probably in the World's "Top Ten" players ... for nearly 40 years!!) He was known to be VERY passionate about chess, often taking a small chess-board with him when he retired to bed. Marshall won dozens of events and matches in the U.S. - he also won 4 or 5 major international tournaments. And he placed highly in dozens of other competitions. ( His greatest success being Cambridge Springs, 1904. ) Marshall was a feared competitor, largely responsible for helping the U.S.A. to be THE chess world power during the 1930's ..... He played First Board in like 4 straight Chess Olympiads!

Unfortunately, Marshall never had much luck with Emmanuel Lasker. [The World Champion.] (He had a very poor score against him, and his 1907 match against him was almost a complete rout.). Marshall also did badly in his match against Capablanca.

[Poor Marshall. He probably expected to be one of the best players in the western hemisphere - after Pillsbury's death. But he wasn't even the best player in New York after Capablanca started attending Columbia University!] Marshall was a renowned (and feared!) tactician, famous for his brilliant combinations ... AND his swindles!!!

Marshall was also an innovator - he created the Marshall Attack, several lines in the Slav ... including, "The Marshall Gambit." In addition to this, Marshall first worked out many of the lines in the Petroff Defense. (And he worked on many other openings, helping players work out new lines. The common wisdom at that time was to show Marshall a line ... unless it was a secret - OR you planned on playing it against Marshall!! ... and let him spot any tactical flaws - - - BEFORE you used it in tournament play! - Napier.)

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[The ChessBase software was very helpful in discovering information on Levitsky. By bringing up the CB software and inserting the CD-ROM disk containing the "playerbase" info, I was able to get quite a lot of information on this player. Additionally when I clicked on the "dossier" button, some really fantastic things began to happen. The machine automatically pulled up all the games of this player (130+); his career highlights, provided a repertoire of the openings this player gave, showed some of his better combinations, etc!!!

I do not impress easily, but I must say I was VERY impressed!]. (The rating given of Levitsky was the one generated by ChessBase, when it showed a crossable of this event, and games of this player. Marshall's rating was given as over 2600, I have adjusted his rating slightly for inflation.)

Many Masters have praised this game, others have greatly criticized it!!! ***

( One Master in Europe called it "The Grandest Game of Chess Ever Played, ending with the single best move ever played." (!!) GM A. Soltis wrote: "Marshall's startling Queen offer occurred at the end of what looked like a Master-versus-'C' player game." {"The 100 Best," page # 3, paragraph 3.} ) [ I think Soltis is overly harsh in his criticisms of this game. ] Such a HUGE difference of opinion! Why? (Another European GM called this game, "Coffee-house rubbish."). !!!

***

> ( MY comments. {A.J.G.} ) .

***

It does contain one of the most amazing and wonderful chess moves ever played, however. (See my web page devoted to this subject.) { "The Best Moves" (http://www.geocities.com /lifemasteraj/best_moves.html) }.

***

This is what the great, (late) Irving Chernev wrote of this game: > - Irving Chernev, in his book; "The 1000 Best Short Games Of Chess." (Game # 918, Page # 499.) .

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1. e4, Of course there is nothing wrong with this, it grabs the center.

Fischer once said that 1. P-K4, was, "Best by test."

***

[ Chernev (AND GM A. Soltis!!) gives this game as starting with: 1.d4 e6; Marshall often played this move, because he was VERY fond of the Dutch, especially against lower-rated players!!

[ Many Dutch fans do NOT immediately play 1...f5; as they may fear an immediate 2. e4!? (The Staunton Gambit.) ]. 2.e4 d5; transposing back to the game.

This may have explained why, Marshall used the French. It was primarily the result of a transposition.

Or did Marshall have another reason?

(In some books, this little transpositional trick is known as, "The Levitsky Attack."). I pulled this game out of my database and I offer it as yet another example of an incorrect move order!! (I have found dozens - if not hundreds - of examples!!) ].

1...e6; A French Defense.

This opening is something of an oddity for Marshall.

But I am sure Marshall ... - who had an excellent memory, and also prepared for many an opponent - had a valid reason for playing this particular defense against this particular opponent. (Originally in his career, Marshall played the Black side of the Ruy Lopez. But after some disastrous results against the immortal Capablanca, Marshall practically gave up on the Black side of the Spanish Game; and instead began to specialize in: 1. e4, e5; 2. Nf3, Nf6!?) [ More normal for Marshall, during this period - was to play: 1...e5; 2.Nf3 Nf6; which is the, "Petroff's Defense." ].

2. d4 d5; 3. Nc3 c5!?; (A little unusual.) This sudden attack on the center, is known in some books as ... "The Franco-Sicilian." (Although many times the normal move order is 2...c5; and then 3...d5.). White can give Black an isolated center-Pawn, but Black then gets a lot of play.

4. Nf3 Nc6!?; This development cannot be bad.

I think the main idea is if White were to play 5. d4xc5!?, Black could disrupt White's normal flow (of development) in the opening with 5...d5-d4. [ The 'Book' line here is: 4...Nf6; 5.Bg5 dxe4; 6.Nxe4 cxd4; 7.Bxf6 gxf6; 8.Bb5+! Bd7; 9.Bxd7+ Nxd7; 10.Qxd4 Qa5+; 11.c3 Be7; 12.Qc4!? 0-0; 13.0-0 Rac8; "=" ].

5. exd5!?, White immediately gives Black an isolated Pawn, but it is not clear if this procedure is best.

[ 5.dxc5!? d4!; 6.Nb5 e5; "~" The computer likes: 5.Bb5, "+/=" (Maybe closer to equal?) Also interesting is: 5.Be3!?, "=" ].

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For the next 5 or so moves, both sides develop pretty normally. 5...exd5; 6. Be2, This is fine, but could have White found an improvement?

[ 6.g3!?, Rubinstein figured out long ago that - in isolated QP positions - that a fianchettoed KB may be the best way to go. ].

6...Nf6; 7. 0-0 Be7; 8. Bg5!?, This is OK, but does not seem congruent with Nimzovich's formula for handling the isolated QP positions. [ Maybe better was: 8.h3!?, "=" with the idea of Be3 to follow. ].

8...0-0; 9. dxc5!?, This gives Black an isolated-QP, but also activates Black's dark - squared Bishop.

[ 9.Re1!?, "+/=" ].

9...Be6!; Black guards his QP. (Black gets in trouble if he immediately captures the QBP.) [ Black avoids: 9...Bxc5?; ('??') 10.Bxf6 Qxf6; 11.Nxd5, "+/" ].

10. Nd4 Bxc5; 11. Nxe6!?, Hmmm. This does not look right.

(White gives up a great blockading Knight for a do-nothing Bishop. In addition, Black will no longer have an isolated center Pawn ... as White has repaired his structure.). GM A Soltis awards this move the dubious appellation, and then goes on to write: "A common amateur error. The e6 pawn only appears to be weak, while the exchange of minor pieces leaves Black (well) in control of the center." - GM A. Soltis.

'?!' - GM A. Soltis.

[ 11.Be3!, "=" White may have the better long-term chances because of Black's isolated QP. ].

11...fxe6; 12. Bg4!?, Not impressive.

Maybe White should have looked for something more vigorous.

[ Maybe 12.Na4!? ].

12...Qd6; A centralized Queen ... usually not a bad thing to do. [ 12...Qe7; ].

13. Bh3!?, This is nothing to scream about, but may now be positionally forced. [ 13.Nb5!? ].

13...Rae8; "=/+" Black has completed his development, and already has a small, but tangible and secure, advantage. [ 13...h6!? ].

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14. Qd2?!, (Maybe - '?') It does not look good to walk into a pin ... but ... White had few good moves here-abouts! '?' - GM A. Soltis.

[ 14.Qd3!? ].

14...Bb4!; GM Soltis awards this rather obvious pinning move an exclam, so I follow suit.

"Pin and win," said Fred Reinfeld ... on more than one occasion.

15. Bxf6!?, (Maybe - '?!') This does not make sense either, White will miss the protector of his dark-squares.

[ Maybe better was: 15.Rae1 Bxc3; "=/+" ].

15...Rxf6; Black's advantage increases just a little bit here. 16. Rad1!?, (Maybe - '?!/?') This is definitely not the best here.

[ Maybe better was 16.a3, (Box?) This looked like it was, well ... positionally forced. ].

16...Qc5!?; (Maybe - '!') This seems like the most logical. Black piles up on the pinned piece. [ 16...Qb8!? ].

17. Qe2!?, (Maybe - '?!') White targets Black's backward KP ... and also prepares to exploit a pin on the e-file.

GM A. Soltis awards this move a full question mark - but offers NO good alternatives.

'?' - GM A. Soltis.

Since Black has a clear advantage no matter what White plays here ... - the computer confirms this - and since no VASTLY better move for White can be demonstrated, I think Soltis is mistaken. It is (was) White's series of inaccurate moves earlier which caused the problems that now exist in his game.

After hours of reflection on this position, I think one could even award an exclam to 17.Qe2, as it is perhaps the best practical try here! [ Maybe only slightly better was: 17.a3!? Bxc3; 18.Qxc3 Qxc3; 19.bxc3 g5!; "=/+" Maybe White could also try: 17.Qd3!? Bxc3=/+ ; but Black is better in both cases. ].

17...Bxc3; 18.bxc3 Qxc3!?; Black grabs a pawn, and goes for the extreme piece activity. (Black keeps a very small edge after this move, yet it may not be the very best choice for Black.) It may have been better for Black to keep his KP on the board.

[ Probably better was: 18...e5!; "=/+" (Maybe - "/+") Black is clearly better here. ].

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19. Rxd5, Hmmm. Forced - to regain his pawn. (Several annotators have criticized this move as bad, but if White does not regain his Pawn, he will be as good as lost.) One can now see why White played this line. (Positionally, White has the better game. The better minor piece and a slightly superior Pawn structure. Black also has a big target at e6!) But ... Black now has all the play! (Especially down the half-open f-file!) [ Not 19.Rd3? Qc5; "/+" Or 19.f4?! Qc5+; 20.Kh1 Nb4; "/+" ].

19...Nd4!; Nice. (Energetic play.) Probably disrupting White's well-laid plans. "White is hanging by a thread." - GM A. Soltis.

[ Not 19...exd5??; 20.Qxe8+ Rf8; 21.Be6+ Kh8; 22.Qxf8#. Or 19...e5!? ; ('?') 20.Bd7, "=" ].

***

FM Graham Burgess, in his book; "Chess Highlights Of The 20th Century," picks up this fabulous game at this point. 20. Qh5?!, (Maybe - '?') FM Graham Burgess awards this move a whole question mark - but fails to suggest a worthy alternative! (Maybe 20. Qe4!?). It actually may not matter either, White may already be worse off ... in this position!

'?' - FM Graham Burgess.

(GM Soltis gives NO mark ... or appellation to this move at all!) I think probably Burgess is closer to being right than Soltis. 20. Qh5, is probably a mistake ... BUT ... Black is still better in any case!

[ Probably forced was: 20.Qe4[], (Maybe "=") 20...Rf4!; "" (Maybe - "=/+") Black is already just a tiny bit better here. Not 20.Qe5?! Nf3+!; 21.gxf3 Qxf3; "-/+" (Maybe "-/+") (GM Soltis gives instead: 21...Rg6+; which also wins for Black.) ].

20...Ref8; (Almost - '!') Not quite an exclam, but this is clearly superior to 20...g6!?

(The computer shows that Black's advantage is now overwhelming.) [ 20...g6?!; (Maybe - '?/??') The natural reaction ... and dead wrong! 21.Qe5, "=" ("+/=" ?) Maybe slightly better for White! ].

21. Re5 Rh6; 22. Qg5, Hmmm. This looks ugly, but it may be forced.

FM G. Burgess writes: "Otherwise 22...Rxh3; simply wins material for Black."

[ If 22.Qd1? Rxh3; 23.gxh3 Nf3+; 24.Kg2 Nxe5; "-/+" Or 22.Qg4? Rxh3; 23.Qxh3 Qxh3; 24.gxh3 Nf3+; 25.Kg2 Nxe5; "-/+" ].

Black's next move is a cute little sack. 22...Rxh3!; 23. Rc5,

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Attempting to "bump" the Black Queen. (The routine 23.gxh3?? loses to 23...Nf3+; winning White's Queen.) Chernev writes: "Expecting to drive the (Black) Queen away, but ... never to such a fantastic spot!"

GM Soltis calls this move, "A last gasp."

[ 23.gxh3?? Nf3+; ("-/+") Black wins White's Queen. ].

23...Qg3!!; (Maybe - '!!!/!!!!') Wow! Easily one of the most amazing and incredible moves ever actually played on a chess board.

There is no defense, so ... WHITE RESIGNS! 0 - 1 (There is no reply to a real thunderbolt!! Or a real ... "sock-dolager" as Horowitz used to say.). [ For those who need proof that Black is really lost: 23...Qg3!!; 24.Qxg3[], This looks forced. Or 24.fxg3? Ne2+; 25.Kh1 Rxf1#; Or 24.hxg3? Ne2#. 24...Ne2+; 25.Kh1 Nxg3+; 26.Kg1, (26.fxg3?? Rxf1# ). 26...Nxf1; "-/+" Black will emerge a piece up, with an easy win.

***

Or Black could have played 23...Qb2!; "-/+" Black wins. - GM A. Soltis. Black could have also played: 23...Ne2+!?; 24.Kh1 Ng3+; 25.Kg1!, (25.fxg3?? Rxf1#.) 25...Nxf1!, (25...Ne2+?!; 26.Kh1 Ng3+; 27.Kg1 Ne2+; "=" - GM A. Soltis.) 26.Rxc3 Rxc3; 27.Kxf1 Rxc2; "=/+" (Maybe - "-/+") and Black is clearly better. (But this is GROSSLY inferior to what Marshall actually played!) ]

0 - 1

***

Chernev writes, (after 23...Q-KKt6!!): "Such a move deserves two exclamation points! Apparently the Queen has committed suicide, but strangely enough it is White who is helpless." (Chernev goes on to analyze the position and prove that White is completely lost.) Chernev goes on to comment: (after 23...Qg3!!) "Levitszky did not mar the glory of the moment by playing on, chivalrously ... he resigned." FM G. Burgess writes of the move, 23...Qg3!!: "A very pretty move to finish." (The understatement of the year!). "The most elegant move ... I have ever played." - GM F. Marshall.

***

Soltis awards this move (23...Qg3) THREE (3) exclamation points! For many years ... the story on this game was that the spectators became so excited that they ... " ... showered the board with gold pieces." (Even several newspapers carried this version of the story.) > - GM Ruben Fine.

Years later, it was revealed that gold pieces may have been paid ... ... (at least in part) ... by disgruntled bettors - - - paying off their debts!! (But it does not lessen the tremendous impact or the electricity of Marshall's extremely rare move!!). On 23...Qg3: '!!' - Irving Chernev.

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'!!' - FM G. Burgess. '!!!' - GM A. Soltis. '!!!' - GM Ruben Fine.

"Many respected critics consider this stroke to be the single most amazing move of chess ever actually executed on a chess-board." - Anne Sunnucks.

"THE ... Marshall Immortal?"

During the period from 1904 to 1909, Marshall won like four or five International Chess Tournaments. He was obviously one of the best players in the world, and also one of the most brilliant. The game that follows could very well be the finest game that Marshall ever created during his long and storied career. This tournament was one of the very strongest of that period. With the exception of Pillsbury, who was already ill, and World Champion Emanuel Lasker ... all the world's leading masters showed up for this exciting tournament. Geza Maroczy won ... a full point-and-a-half ahead of David Janowski and Siegbert Tarrasch, who were tied for second. (Schlechter, Marco, Teichmann, and Burn all finished ahead of Marshall. Click here to see a cross-table of this extremely important and historic event - you may have to scroll down a bit.) I also have studied many of the games of this tournament, some really great chess was played here. (You can get a lot of these games in just about any chess database.) While Marshall did not do too well, he played some great chess. (One of his games against Burn won the second brilliancy prize.) But this game was probably his best effort. (I think so!)

Was there something in the water? Friday; April 30th, 2004: Just an aside - I received an e-mail from a good friend ... who asked that I not use his name. (Wassup with this?) But he is a fairly well-regarded chess historian, and while not a really strong player, knows a great deal about the lore and history of our royal game. (His library is much bigger than mine!) He told me that Ostende, 1905; (and 1907 - for that matter); was a VERY rare tournament in terms of the high-quality games that were played. When I started to dispute this, he simply pointed to a few books that he knew I had (and respected) in my library, like Soltis's book, "The 100 Best." (He has an ORIGINAL copy {or copies} of the tournament books for Ostende.) These games are truly magnificent. When just one game from a tournament makes into several anthologies as a really great game ... well this is good, but nothing to cheer about. But when 10-15 games are recognized as being really outstanding games ... and have made their way into several books ... you begin to wonder. (Was there a special prize for best play?)

White's play here is brilliant. Many historians consider this one of Marshall's best games. And I recently (March, 2004) got some new information about this game ... and I wanted to share it with Marshall fan's everywhere. So I finally forced myself to annotate this game. This is mostly a text-based game ... with one or two diagrams. You will definitely want a chess board. Click HERE to see an explanation of some of the symbols that I use when annotating a chess game. Click HERE to see this game in java-script replay format. (Not one of my pages!)

Frank J. Marshall (2675) - Mikhail Tchigorin (2650) [A80]

ICT / Masters / Ostende Invitational Ostende Resort, Belgium, NED; (Rd. # 7), 1905

[A.J. Goldsby I]

This game is in most databases ... but usually just the game score ... and not much else. (No indication of what kind of game this really is!)

***

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The son of an Eastern European Master recently (March, 2004); told me a story. (And it was one that I had never heard before.) And it was truly a most fascinating one. It seems that many years ago that the one and only Vassily Smyslov came to town to play in a chess tournament. Smyslov had already lost his title back to Botvinnik, but his stature in this town was not diminished a bit. Smyslov was invited to give a lecture at the local TV station, which would be taped and re-transmitted later. The lecture was attended by many of the town's best players. The talk was on chess tactics, and this game was one of those that was covered in the lecture. {This game can be found in many chess books and game collections as well.}

The game starts off as: "A Dutch Defense." 1.d4 f5; 2.e4!?, {Diagram?} The Staunton Gambit ... ... ... one of the sharpest lines that a player of the White pieces could possibly meet the Dutch with. (Marshall said he loved to play this line ... and used it whenever possible.) [ The main line of the Dutch usually goes something like: 2.Nf3 Nf6; 3.g3! e6!?; {Diagram?} The "Classical Dutch." (Also heavily played today is: 3...g6!?; {Diagram?} which is known as: "The Leningrad Dutch Defense." ) 4.Bg2 d5; {Diagram?} These are the more popular lines of this opening, which today is called: "The Dutch Stonewall." ( Also played is: 4...Be7!? ) 5.c4 c6; 6.0-0 Bd6; 7.b3 Qe7; 8.Bb2 0-0; 9.Ne5 Nbd7; 10.Nd2, "+/=" {Diagram?} White has a slight advantage in this position - currently on the board. (White won a nice game in only 41 moves.) A. Kalinin - A. Kripiavin; City Championship Tournament Moscow, Russia, 2001. (White won a nice game.) ]

2...fxe4; 3.Nc3 Nf6; 4.Bg5 c6!?; {Diagram?} Black intends to play ...d5. (...Nc6; is the most reliable move here, according to opening theory.)

[ Black should NOT play: /= 4...Nc6!?; 5.d5 Ne5; 6.Qd4 Nf7; 7.Bxf6 exf6; 8.Nxe4 Be7; {Diagram?} The end of the column here. 9.0-0-0 0-0; 10.Ng3!? d6; 11.f4 c5; "~" ("=") {Diagram?} ... "with at least even chances for Black in a very sharp game." - GM Nick de Firmian S. Kravtsov - A. Vyzhmanavin; ICT / Masters / RUS. Cup # 9 Novgorod, Russia; 1997. [ See MCO-14, page # 489; column # 20, and also note # (f.). ] ]

5.Bxf6!?, {Diagram?} White gets rid of the Knight so as to be able to recapture the e-pawn. But modern opening theory suggests a much better and sharper way for White to proceed (from) here. [ Much better is the ultra-sharp move of f3! here. For example: >/= 5.f3! exf3; 6.Nxf3 e6; 7.Bd3 Be7; 8.Ne5, "~" ('+/=') {D?} with great play for White.

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Emanuel Lasker - H.N. Pillsbury; ICT / Super-Master Invitational DRR / Paris, France; 1900. (1-0, 85m.) ]

5...exf6; 6.Nxe4 Qb6!?; 7.Rb1 d5; 8.Ng3 Be6!?; {Diagram?} Both sides have developed the best they could given the current Pawn structure ... although the Queen move to b6 by Black struck me as a tad too speculative.

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This is a rather bizarre position that we currently have on the chess board. [ 8...Qa5+!?; 9.c3 Qxa2; 10.Bd3, "~" ]

9.Bd3 Nd7!?; {Diagram?} "Black tries to do without ...g6; or castling." - GM Andy Soltis. [ Possible was: 9...Bd6!?; "~" ] Both sides continue to mobilize for the middlegame. 10.Qe2 Kf7; 11.Nf3 Re8; 12.0-0 Bd6; 13.c3!, 13...Nf8!?; 14.Nh4!, (hmmm) {See the diagram ... just below.} It is not even clear why White made his last move ... or just what the point of this Knight sally was.

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I went over this game - briefly - one night on ICC, a popular chess server. One strong player commented that: "White seems to be walking into an upper-cut in this position!" [ One program likes: 14.Rbe1!?, "~" ]

14...Bf5!?; (Tempting fate?) {See the diagram, just below.} This seems like an obvious and a fairly playable move, Tchigorin expects something like: 15.Qc2, Bxd3; 16.Qxd3, Ng6; when Black has an excellent position. (Note that White's Queen - now - is in a discovered attack.)

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But the great Tchigorin is in for a very big (and rude) surprise! (Probably the best move in this position - for Black - was ...a6; or ...g6.)

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[ The move of: >/= 14...g6!?; "~" {Diagram?} seems to blunt White's attack. (A little, anyway.) *******************************************************

GM A Soltis recommends that Black play ...Bxg3; in this position, but that is clearly bogus:

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17...Qc7; 18.Bxe2! Kf7; ('!') {Diagram?} Black avoids the obvious stuff. [ After the moves:

35

and White's Knights look very alone and stranded in this position. [ Worse is:

36

(Tchigorin does not care about the loss of the Pawn, this capture of the Black infantry (on g7) by White's Rook would put his King in a terrible bind.)

*******

[ White could have also played: (>/=) 24.Rxg7!?, ('!!') 24...Nxd3?; 25.Nf5!, {Diagram?} with an inescapable mating web. ]

24...g6[]; {Diagram?} According to several books, this move is completely forced here. [ Better is: 24...Rxc8; (Fritz) {Diagram?} {White is still winning easily.} ]

25.g3!, (challenge) {Diagram?} Putting the question to Black's Knight on f4 which lacks a bevy of good squares to retreat to. [ Interesting was: 25.Rxb7!?, "+/-" {Diagram?} and just grab ALL of Black's Pawns on the 7th rank here. ]

25...Nh3+; 26.Kg2 Ng5; 27.Bd3!!, {See the diagram just below.} An almost magical re-activation of this piece, White now threatens 28.h4!, (and if) 28...Ne4; then 29.Nf7, and 20.Be2#.

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'!' - GM Andrew Soltis. [ Also good was: 27.f3!?, "+/-" ]

Now Black is in really dire straights ... and feels compelled to start returning a little of his booty ... in a vain effort to save the leader of the dark armies. 27...Rxc8; 28.Nxc8 Qd8; 29.h4! Qxc8; {Diagram?} Not pleasant ... but few of the variations here are. [ Or 29...Nf7!?; 30.Rxf7 Qxc8?; {Diagram?} Grabbing material, but ... ( >/= Or 30...Kh6; 31.Nxa7, "+/-" ) 31.Rxh7+ Kg4; 32.f3#. ]

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30.hxg5, ("+/-") {Diagram?} (Black Resigned here.) White has an overwhelming material advantage here ... ... ... and it is a mate in five or six more moves from this position anyway. [Apparently this game was submitted for the top brilliancy prize(s).] "This is a real Fourth of July fireworks show from beginning to end." - GM Frank J. Marshall, in his book: "My Fifty Years of Chess." GM Andrew Soltis picked this game as one of the very best ('Top 100') of the whole of the 20th Century. GM Vassily Smyslov called this ... "simply the finest combination that Marshall ever conceived!" GM Mikhail Botvinnik and GM Salo Flohr wrote a series of articles on great chess games. These articles were published in Soviet chess magazines from the late 1930's ... all the way through the 1950's. (Most westerners have never heard of or even seen these articles.) But this very distinguished pair called this combination: "The finest of its kind and one of the best of that whole period of chess." Emanuel Lasker - in his [then] new chess magazine - praised this contest as, "a spirited and inspired attacking game, one of the best of its type." Is this Frank J. Marshall's greatest and best chessic achievement? It is entirely possible that this is so! (04/14/2004)

Frank J. ("James") Marshall (2650) - Amos Burn (2575) [A46]

Ostende Resort, (GER) 1907. [A.J. Goldsby I]

Chernev writes: > [ See the book, {The} "1000 Best Short Games Of Chess," by (the late, great) Irving Chernev. Game # 683, pg. # 351. ]

***

For my part, I will simply say the game is incredibly brilliant. This is also the famous, "Un-lit pipe game." (Burn was an inveterate smoker, usually smoking his pipe non-stop during the entire game. Some opponents claimed it was distracting and they could not see the board for the haze of smoke!) Here, Marshall kills his opponent before he could even get his pipe properly lit! (I do not know if this game won a prize, months of research has yielded little information about this tournament. {Ostende, 1907.} This game is NOT annotated by GM Andy Soltis in his excellent hard-back book, "Frank Marshall, U.S. Chess Champion." (A biography with 220 annotated games.) But I do remember reading that this game was at least a strong contender for the brilliancy prize.).

1. d4 Nf6; 2. Nf3 d6; 3. Bf4 Nbd7; 4. e3 g6!?; {Diagram?} Perhaps slightly risky, (Maybe according to GM A. Soltis.) (See the book, "The Best Chess Games of Boris Spassky," Game # 16, pg.'s # 61 - 65.) (In a similar position.) The move 4...g6!? does slightly weaken the squares around Black's King and on the whole of the King-side. Perhaps this move, in concert with ...Nbd7; makes the move, ...g6; a little risky. (Maybe 4...c6!?)

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5. Bd3 Bg7; 6. Nbd2 0-0; 7. h4!? (Maybe - '!!!') {Diag?} Marshall does not mess around, but starts an immediate attack on his opponent's King. [ White could have played the very sedate: 7.0-0; or the calm - 7.c3, "=" ]. 7...Re8; 8. h5! Nxh5; 9. Rxh5!! gxh5; {Diagram?} Marshall must have gotten up in the wrong side of the bed this morning. He rains sacrifices down on his unsuspecting opponents. 10. Bxh7+! Kxh7!?; (Maybe - '?!/?') Is this capture wise? Black captures the Bishop. At one time it was considered unchivalrous not to capture a proffered piece. Burn may have been still suffering the after-effects of one of their earlier encounters. (Marshall sacked a piece unsoundly and Burn should have taken, but he did not.) Maybe Black should not have taken this piece!!! [Although Chernev does not say it, the best move may be: 10...Kf8!?;

(See the diagram directly below.)

(Maybe - '!') Its not clear how White will continue his attack. ( 11.Ng5 Nf6; 12.Nde4,"~" {Unclear.} ). ]. 11. Ng5+ Kg6; {Diagram?} Unfortunately for Black, this is probably forced. [Chernev offers the variation: "No better is 11...Kg8; ('?!') 12.Qxh5 Nf6; 13.Qxf7+ Kh8; 14.0-0-0, ("+/-")

(See the diagram directly below.)

and the Rook check will end it." - Chernev. ].

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12. Ndf3 e5; {Diagram?} Black is lost, the computer shows this position as a complete win for White. - So it matters little what defense Black adopts now. [ I would have been tempted to try something like: 12...Nf8!? ].

13. Nh4+ Kf6; 14. Nh7+ Ke7; 15. Nf5+ Ke6; 16. Nxg7+!? Ke7; {Diagram?} Watch them little horsies dance!

17. Nf5+ Ke6; 18. d5+! Kxf5; 19. Qxh5+ Ke4; 20. 0-0-0, Black Resigns. 1-0 [The final moves could have been: 20.0-0-0 Nf6 ; (20...exf4; 21.Rd4# ) 21.f3# ]

***

Chernev writes: "The threat is 21. P-B3 mate (f3#), and if 20...PxB/f4; then 21. R-Q4 (Rd4) is mate." Chernev continues: "Marshall's skillful manipulation of his Knights is reminiscent of Capablanca's Knight maneuvers in his game against Yates at New York, 1924" A game of exceeding brilliance and beauty. A 'one-in-a-1000' chess game. Marshall sacrifices almost all of his pieces, yet Chernev gives him not a single exclamation point. One has to wonder at this. (Had Capa played this game, would Chernev given all of these moves exclams?) (This game got strong consideration for the "Top Ten" list, but in the end, Burn's defense - or the lack of it - basically removed this game from real consideration for the final candidate list of games. - A.J. Goldsby I.)

1 - 0 (There is a very long story behind this game. I was sent {loaned} a book {on Marshall} by a

friend who lived in Texas many years ago. {In the 1970's.} He was a big Marshall fan. I was to annotate ten of Marshall's best chess games and they were to be published in the Texas State Chess Magazine. {Over a period of several issues.} After working more than a year on this

project, I copied everything and sent it to my friend. Then the magazine changed hands several times, and I don't know what happened to the material. The games were never printed. *sob*

Aaron Nimzowitsch (2718) - Frank J. Marshall (2647) [A50]

Master's Invitational Tournament Bad Kissingen, (GER); (7) 1928

[A.J. Goldsby I] **************************************************************

One of Marshall's best games, this near miniature also won the FIRST Brilliancy Prize at the Bad Kissingen Tournament in 1928. The ratings are the ones that were assigned to this game when it was in the database. According to Sonas, Nimzovich was Number Five (# 5) in the World, (behind Lasker, Capa, Alekhine and Vidmar); with a rating of 2697. Marshall is designated as the Number Ten (# 10) player in the World with a rating of 2622. (Rating list: Dec. 31st, 1927.)

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1.d4 Nf6; 2.c4 b6!?; (Maybe - '!') {Diagram?} There are many myths about Marshall. The most popular ones are: A.) Marshall only played swindles; and B.) He could not play a wide variety of openings. The simple truth is that Marshall was a tremendous player. While perhaps best known for a few famous swindles, he could beat you in ANY phase of the game!! (Opening, middle-game or even in an ending.)

40

The other myth about Marshall is he played only certain lines ... and played them poorly. (Fine {in the U.S. chess magazine} once wrote: "He had a narrow repertoire, and was addicted to a few inferior lines.") Nothing could be further from the truth. This was a man who often took a small chess-board and a writing pad to bed with him at night, in case he came up with a new idea. Here he plays Nimzo's own invention, and soundly thrashes him with it!! [ Also popular is the move: 2...e6!?; {Diagram?} which could transpose to several different openings, but usually signifies the Nimzo-Indian. Or Black could try: 2...g6!?; {Diagram?} leading to the Benoni, the Gruenfeld, or the King's Indian Defense. (But masters did not begin playing these lines until the 1930's or even the 1940's.) ]

3.Nc3 Bb7!?; {Diagram?} Probably not the most accurate move order - by the standards of modern theory, anyway. (But I don't think its that big of a deal.) [ Normal is: 3...e6 ]

4.Bg5!?, {Diagram?} This move, while very popular in the early days of this line, is not considered dangerous by theory today. (The pin is not considered all that effective, but many players - like GM J. Timman - regularly use Bg5 against the {regular} Nimzo-Indian Defense.) [ In modern times, one could expect the following moves: 4.Nf3 e6; 5.a3!?, "+/=" {Diagram?} transposing to the main lines. ( See MCO-14, beginning on page number # 555. And see columns one through eighteen. {1-18} );

*******

Soltis says the best line for White is to play Queen-to-c2 on his fourth move, with the idea of a very quick pawn advance, e2-e4: >/= 4.Qc2! c5!?; {Diagram?} Theory says this is best - but I am not convinced. ( 4...e6; 5.e4 d5!?; {Diagram?} This allows White to fix the pawn structure, maybe ...d6 was better. 6.cxd5 exd5; 7.e5 Ne4!?; {Diagram?} Hmmm, maybe ...Nfd7 instead? 8.Bb5+ c6; 9.Bd3, {Diagram?} ... "with an excellent game." - GM Andrew Soltis. GM S. Tartakower - GM F. Marshall; Bad Kissingen, (GER); 1928. (Later in this same tournament!);

***

The other way for Black to play this position is the following: 4...d5; ('!?/?!') {Diagram?} This could be a very risky (dubious) concept, at least according to GM Andrew Soltis. 5.cxd5 Nxd5; 6.e4 Nxc3; 7.bxc3 e6; 8.Nf3 c5!?; {Diagram?} Black might do better with ...Be7; followed by ...0-0; first. 9.Ne5! a6; 10.Rb1 Be7; "~" {Diagram?} and now White played Qa4+!, which according to Soltis gives White a very clear advantage. (11.Qa4+!, Kf8!?; 12.Bd3, etc.) GM F.J. Marshall - S.B. Gothilf; Moscow, (USSR); 1925. )

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(Returning to the main line of analysis of this opening.) 5.d5 e5!?; 6.e4 d6; 7.g3, "+/=" {Diagram?} White has a solid edge, and went on to win a very nice game. (But Black's handling of the opening was less than ideal, IMOHO.) GM V. Smyslov - GM A. Matanovic; (FIDE) Interzonal Tournament Biel, Switzerland; 1976. ]

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4...e6; 5.Qc2 h6!; {Diagram?} Black 'asks the question' of the Bishop without any delay. '!' - GM Andrew Soltis. '!' - GM F.J. Marshall

6.Bh4 Be7!?; (Maybe - '!') {Diagram?} Black immediately breaks the pin. While not necessarily smiled upon by modern opening theory, I like this move. It certainly makes sense ... Black develops a piece, gets ready to castle and breaks the pin without any further delay. [ The more modern move today is ...Bb4; viz: 6...Bb4; 7.e3 0-0; 8.Nf3 d6; 9.Bd3 Nbd7; 10.0-0-0, "+/=" {Diagram?} (when) White is thought to have a small but steady advantage. IM B. Finegold - GM V. Tukmakov; CAN - (open) Tournament, Winnipeg, Canada; 1994. (Black won in under 30 moves.) See also: GM G. Serper - A. Bagheri; FIDE WCS Tournament (knock-out) New Delhi, India; 2000. (White won in 26 moves.) ]

7.e4!?, {Diagram?} White immediately grabs the center, in a purely classical vein. [ Or 7.Nf3!? 0-0; {Diagram?} when Black's chances are certainly no worse than White's. ]

7...0-0; ('!') 8.e5!?, (Probably - '?!') {Diagram?} This is a natural reaction in this kind of position, the Knight on f6 is the natural defender of Black's entire King-side. (If it leaves, the second player's defenses have been weakened - or so the theory goes.) Modern opening theory, however, warns against prematurely crossing the ... 'line of demarcation,' ... or advancing beyond the first four rows of the chessboard. '?' - GM Andrew Soltis. (This looks a little harsh to me, but ...) '?' - Fred Reinfeld. '?' - Frank J. Marshall. Nimzovich also wanted to weaken Black's key dark squares, but here the idea simply costs too much time. [ After the ambitious: 8.f3!? d6; 9.Bd3!? c5!; 10.Nge2!? Nc6; "=/+" {Diag?} Black is already (a little) better.

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White's best bet is probably: >/= 8.Nf3 d6; 9.Bd3 Nc6; 10.a3!, "~" {Diagram?} with close to an equal position ... but Black certainly has little to fear here. (...e5! Or even ...a5.) ]

8...Nd5!; {Diagram?} An excellent move by Marshall ... which Nimzovich {later} admitted he had simply missed. (or under-estimated) '!' - GM Frank J. Marshall. [ Nimzovich had expected a line like:

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[ Or >/= 9.Bxe7 Nxe7; {Diagram?} but Black is fine. (This is probably better than the game, White avoids any disadvantage.) ]

9...Nb4; ('!') {Diagram?} Many times better than other moves like ...Nxc3. 10.Qb3, {Diagram?} T