The Australian player C. J. S. Purdy wrote in his book Guide to Good Chess, "You can play chess with the wizards of the chess world, living or dead, any time and anywhere you like, at negligible cost. The wizard's games are printed--in a simple notation--and you just play the games over, understanding little at first but gradually more and more." We're taking Purdy's advice this week with a game from one of the all-time great wizards of the game, Paul Morphy. This game was played nearly 150 years ago! Annotations provided by the Encyclopedia of Openings CD by Convekta, Ltd.

Advantage in Develpoment

The more your pieces take part in play, the more diverse attacking possibilities you have. Therefore lead in develpoment is a very significant factor that is especially important in the opening. There are three main opening principles:

1. Quick mobilization of pieces
2. Fighting for the center
3. A player who has the advantage in development should strive to open the position

The old masters were very familiar with these. For instance, Paul Morphy's games provide many excellent examples.

Schulten - Morphy
New York, 1857

1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.ed e4 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.d3 Bb4 6.Bd2 (Diagram)

6...e3!!
A beautiful pawn sacrifice. Morphy opens the e-file and obtains an advantage in development.

7.Bxe3 O-O! 8.Bd2 Bxc3 9.bc Re8+ 10.Be2 Bg4 11.c4 (Diagram)

11... c6!
Undermining the d-5 pawn, Morphy opens the d-file and magnifies his development lead.

12.dc Nxc6 13.Kf1 Rxe2! 14.Nxe2 Nd4 15.Qb1 Bxe2+ 16.Kf2 Ng4+ 17.Kg1 Nf3+! 18.gf Qd4+ 19.Kg2 Qf2+ 20.Kh3 Qxf3+ 21.Kh4 Nh6 (Diagram)

Mate cannot be avoided. 0-1