James Thompson vs Paul Morphy (1857)

James Thompson vs Paul Morphy
1st American Chess Congress (1857) · Italian Game: Classical Variation. Giuoco Pianissimo (C53) · 0-1

To move:

Last move:

explore this opening	find similar games	22 more J Thompson/Morphy games
	PGN: download \| view	Help: general \| java-troubleshooting

TIP: The tournament is found above the game. For the newest chess events, this information may be a link which takes you to the tournament page which includes other games, a crosstable, discussion, etc.

For help with this chess viewer, please see the Pgn4web Quickstart Guide.

Jul-11-05		InspiredByMorphy: By move 7 black has a controlled center, and superior development. I remember watching this game in my first year of playing and being surprised by 22. ...Bxf2+ . Morphy had one thing on Thompson right off the bat. Morphy's play was offensive while in this game Thompson played defensively.

Sep-03-05		OJC: Nice zugzwang finish.

Sep-03-05		aw1988: <OJC> You're right! Zugzwang by Morphy.

Apr-26-08		heuristic: 22.Qc1 Qxc1 23.Rxc1 Re2 seems okay. The purpose of 22.Ed3 is unclear; it weakens the back rank and Morphy punishes WHT with 22...Bxf2+! 28...Bxd4 29.Nd6 Bxb2 30.Nxb7 Ba3 seems stronger. But 29...Re1 does adher to the principle, "when ahead in material, exchange pieces." 35.b3 f5 36.g4 Kd5 37.Nd8 f4 38.Kg2 Ke4 39.Nf7 keeps WHT in the game. as i understand it, the final position is not zugswang. WHT has already lost; any move loses, but not making a move also loses.

100% Cotton Chess Puzzle Shirt

NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, totally anonymous, and 100% free--plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community!

If you already have an account, you should login now.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
No spamming, advertising, or duplicating posts.
No personal attacks against other users.
Nothing in violation of United States law.

See something which violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform an administrator.

NOTE: Keep all discussion on the topic of this page. This forum is for this specific game and nothing else. If you want to discuss chess in general, or this site, you might try the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.

Spot an error? Please submit a correction slip and help us eliminate database mistakes!
This game is type: CLASSICAL (Disagree? Please submit a correction slip.)

Featured in the Following Game Collections [what is this?]

Black - Giuco Piano: Morphy
by gaborn

Zugzwang by Morphy
from AbhinavAsthana's favorite games by AbhinavAsthana

Morphy: A Modern Perspective
by monkeysbum

46...Ka3, and zugzwang.
from zugzwang mania! by grook

1-ig-eco53
by classicalwin2

Game 80
from If chess was a religion, Morphy would be God. by Chopin

62; Bishops are better than knights except around blocked pawns
from A First Book of Morphy by melodie

run away pawn.
from Danger of the passed pawn! by grook

Paul Morphy: A Modern Perspective
by Avalon Landing

B's are better than N's in all but blocked pawn positions
from A First Book of Morphy by Frisco Del Rosario by adrien79

Paul Morphy -The Great Chess Genius
by Timothy Glenn Forney

Pure Morphy
by saveyougod

Round One, First Match, Game #3
from New York 1857 by suenteus po 147

Match Morphy!
by amadeus