McDonnell vs La Bourdonnais, 1834

La Bourdonnais’s three connected passed pawns reach the second rank and outweigh McDonnell’s queen. The final position — pawns on d2, e2, and f2 — is the picture most histories print.

White: Alexander McDonnell
Black: Louis-Charles de la Bourdonnais
Event: London, match game 16
Year: 1834
Result: 0-1

Critical position

After 37. Rxd1. Black to move.

Take over as Black vs Maia

Step through

37. Rxd1

Annotated score

1. e4 (best) c5 (excellent)
2. Nf3 (best) Nc6 (best)
3. d4 (excellent) cxd4 (best)
4. Nxd4 (best) e5 (good)
5. Nxc6 (good) bxc6 (best)
6. Bc4 (best) Nf6 (best)
7. Bg5 (excellent) Be7 (excellent)
8. Qe2 (good) d5 (excellent)
9. Bxf6 (good) Bxf6 (best)
10. Bb3 (excellent) O-O (good)
11. O-O (excellent) a5 (best)
12. exd5 (best) cxd5 (best)
13. Rd1 (best) d4 (excellent)
14. c4 (mistake) Qb6 (inaccuracy)
15. Bc2 (excellent) Bb7 (good)
16. Nd2 (best) Rae8 (best)
17. Ne4 (good) Bd8 (good)
18. c5 (best) Qc6 (best)
19. f3 (best) Be7 (best)
20. Rac1 (best) f5 (inaccuracy)
21. Qc4+ (best) Kh8 (best)
22. Ba4 (good) Qh6 (inaccuracy)
23. Bxe8 (mistake) fxe4 (best)
24. c6 (best) exf3 (inaccuracy)
exf3: 24...exf3 starts the pawn roll that the game is remembered for.
25. Rc2 (inaccuracy) Qe3+ (good)
26. Kh1 (inaccuracy) Bc8 (best)
27. Bd7 (good) f2 (mistake)
28. Rf1 (mistake) d3 (good)
29. Rc3 (inaccuracy) Bxd7 (blunder)
30. cxd7 (blunder) e4 (best)
31. Qc8 (mistake) Bd8 (inaccuracy)
32. Qc4 (good) Qe1 (best)
33. Rc1 (best) d2 (best)
34. Qc5 (best) Rg8 (best)
Rg8: 34...d2 and the pawns are one file from promotion.
35. Rd1 (best) e3 (best)
36. Qc3 (best) Qxd1 (best)
37. Rxd1 (best) e2 (best)
e2: 37...e2. Three pawns on the second rank; the queen cannot stop them all.