These two players were really more than just two of the better practitioners of the art of attacking chess. Anderssen was probably the preeminent representative of the purely romantic school of chess, and Morphy holds a unique role as the key transitional figure between the romantic and modern schools of chess.

In addition, in the introductory section to his book “World Chess Championship: Kramnik vs. Lékó” (Hardinge Simpole Publishing 2004), Ray Keene argues that both of these players should be included in a line of world champions that he would start with Labourdonnais (1834-1840). Keene would recognize Anderssen as World Chess Champion from 1851-1858, and Morphy as champion from 1858-1860. The period from 1860-1866 (when Morphy was inactive but still generally regarded as the world’s strongest player) Keene classifies as an interregnum, but he considers Steinitz’s tenure as world champion to have commenced in 1866 (rather than 1886) based upon his victory over Anderssen in a match held in London in that year. Keene’s well-argued thesis makes for very interesting reading, and, regardless of whether one ultimately accepts his conclusions, the historical summary he presents leaves no doubt about the hugely significant positions held by Anderssen and Morphy in the history of chess.

Morphy no mistakes!