Morphy vs Anderssen, 1858

Game 9 of the 1858 Paris match. Morphy answers Anderssen’s Sicilian with a piece sacrifice on c7 and mates in the center. Anderssen was the strongest player Morphy met in Europe.

White
Paul Morphy
Black
Adolf Anderssen
Event
Paris match, game 9
Year
1858
Result
1-0

Critical position

Morphy vs Anderssen, 1858, after ply 20abcdefgh12345678

After 10... Kf7. White to move.

Take over as White vs Maia

Step through

Position after 10... Kf7abcdefgh12345678

10... Kf7

Annotated score

  1. 1. e4 (best) c5 (excellent)

  2. 2. d4 (excellent) cxd4 (best)

  3. 3. Nf3 (best) Nc6 (best)

  4. 4. Nxd4 (best) e6 (good)

  5. 5. Nb5 (best) d6 (best)

  6. 6. Bf4 (best) e5 (best)

  7. 7. Be3 (best) f5 (inaccuracy)

    Be3: 7.Be3 and 8.N1c3 dare Black to push ...f4.

  8. 8. N1c3 (best) f4 (best)

  9. 9. Nd5 (best) fxe3 (best)

  10. 10. Nbc7+ (best) Kf7 (best)

    Nbc7+: 10.Nbc7+ is the fork that decides the opening.

  11. 11. Qf3+ (inaccuracy) Nf6 (inaccuracy)

  12. 12. Bc4 (mistake) Nd4 (best)

  13. 13. Nxf6+ (best) d5 (best)

  14. 14. Bxd5+ (best) Kg6 (blunder)

  15. 15. Qh5+ (best) Kxf6 (best)

    Kxf6: The king is on f6 and every white piece still has a check.

  16. 16. fxe3 (best) Nxc2+ (best)

  17. 17. Ke2 (best)