Chess Department
Conducted by Paul Morphy

1. e4 c5 2. f4 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. c3 d5 5. e5 f6 6. Be2 Be7 7. Na3 Qb6

In this and the subsequent games at the same opening, Labourdonnais never fails to make this very necessary move at the proper time.

8. Nc2 Nh6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bd7 11. Bd3 Nb4 12. Nxb4 Bxb4+ 13. Kf2

The interposition of the queen's bishop would have been much better.

O-O 14. Rf1

This was probably hastily played, and should have resulted in the loss of a pawn. More correct would have been 14.Kg3.

14...fxe5 15. fxe5

Some instructive variations, resulting, however, in every instance, in Black's favor, would have sprung from 15.Nxe5. Suppose 15.Nxe5 Qxd4+ 16.Kg3 (It is evident that the White king can only choose between this and the move given below) Rad8 and Black must win. For if 17.Bxh7+ Kxf7 Qxd4 Nf5+ 19.K moves Nxd4 with the advantage of a piece. Or 16.Ke2 After this move, it will at first sight appear that Black must now submit to some loss, as his queen's bishop is attacked by the adverse knight,while White also threatens to win the queen by 17.Bxh7+. It will be seen, however, that Black has one move in store which not only enables him to thwart his opponents designs, but actually increases the superiority of his game. 16...Bb5 17.Bxb5 (It is quite clear that if White does not capture the queen's bishop, Black remains with a vastly superior position) 17...Qe4+ 18.Be3 Bc5, etc. and Black must win.

15...Nf5

This, like his adversary's fourteenth move, must have been played without consideration. 15...Qxd4+ would have given him a winning advantage at once.

16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Kg1 Rc8 18. g4

This considerably weakens White's game on the king's side; to it may be ascribed the loss of the contest.

18...Rf7 19. a4 Rcf8 20. Be3 Be7 21. Qe2 Qb3 22. Bg5 Bb4

Black would have gained nothing by 22...Rxf3, as White, in that case, would have replied with 23.Bxe7.

23. Kg2

Fatal, but the first players situation, in any case, is anything but enviable.

23...Rxf3 24. Rxf3 Rxf3 25. Rc1 Rf8 26. Rc7 Bc6 27. Be3 Qc4 28. Qd1 Ba5 29. Re7 Bxa4
0-1

Black wins

pgn:

[Event "London"] [Site "London"]
[Date "1834.??.??"]
[Round "7"]
[Result "0-1"]
[White "A MacDonnell"]
[Black "La Bourdonnais, L"]

1. e4 c5 2. f4 e6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. c3 d5 5. e5 f6 6. Be2 Be7 7. Na3 Qb6 8. Nc2 Nh6 9. d4 cxd4 10. cxd4 Bd7 11. Bd3 Nb4 12. Nxb4 Bxb4+ 13. Kf2 O-O 14. Rf1 fxe5 15. fxe5 Nf5 16. Bxf5 Rxf5 17. Kg1 Rc8 18. g4 Rf7 19. a4 Rcf8 20. Be3 Be7 21. Qe2 Qb3 22. Bg5 Bb4 23. Kg2 Rxf3 24. Rxf3 Rxf3 25. Rc1 Rf8 26. Rc7 Bc6 27. Be3 Qc4 28. Qd1 Ba5 29. Re7 Bxa4

0-1