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The blue book of chess

GAMES

Reading edition

ILLUSTRATIVE OF PHILIDOR'S DEFENCE.

Game I.—Mr. Morphy plays without seeing the Chess board or men, against M. Boucher, at Paris.

Go to PGN_01
Go to PGN_01

WHITE. (Mr. M.) BLACK. (M. B.)

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. takes P.

4. Q. takes P. 4. Q. Kt. to Q. B's 3d.

5. K. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. 5. Q. B. to Q's 2d.

6. B. takes Kt. 6. B. takes B.

7. B. to K. Kt's 5th. 7. P. to K. B's 3d.

8. B. to K. R's 4th. 8. Kt. to K. R's 3d.

9. Q. Kt. to Q. B's 3d. 9. K. B. to K's 2d.

10. Castles on K's side.10. Castles.

11. Q. to Q. B's 4th. (ch.)11. K. to R's sq.

12. K. Kt. to Q's 4th.12. Q. to her 2d.

13. Q. R. to Q's sq.13. K. R. to K. B's 2d.

14. P. to K. B's 4th.14. P. to Q. R's 4th.

15. P. to K. B's 5th.15. K. R. to K. B's sq.

16. K. Kt. to K's 6th.16. K. R. to K. Kt's sq.

17. P. to Q. R's 4th.17. Kt. to Kt's 5th.

18. Q. to K's 2d.18. Kt. to K's 4th.

19. B. to K. Kt's 3d.19. Q. to Q. B's sq.[A]

20. B. takes Kt.20. Q. P. takes B.

21. K. R. to K. B's 3d.[B]21. Q. B. to Q's 2d.[C]

22. K. R. to K. R's 3d.[D]22. P. to K. R's 3d.

23. Q. to Q's 2d.23. K. to R's 2d.[E]

24. Q. takes Q. B.24. B. to Q's 3d.

25. K. R. takes K. R. P. (ch.)[F]25. K. takes R.

26. R. to Q's 3d.[G]26. K. to R's 4th.

27. Q. to K. B's 7th. (ch.)

And wins; the battle having lasted about seven hours.

Game II.—Between Mr. Morphy and Mr. Harrwitz.

Go to PGN_02
Go to PGN_02

WHITE. (Mr. M.) BLACK. (Mr. H.)

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. takes P.

4. Q. takes P. 4. Q. Kt. to Q. B's 3d.

5. K. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. 5. Q. B. to Q's 2d.

6. B. takes Kt. 6. B. takes B.

7. B. to K. Kt's 5th. 7. P. to K. B's 3d.

8. B. to K. R's 4th. 8. Kt. to K. R's 3d.

9. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 9. K. B. to K's 2d.

10. Castles on K's side.10. Q. to Q's 2d.

11. Q. R. to Q's sq.11. Castles on K's side.

12. Q. to B's 4th. (ch.)12. K. R. to K. B's 2d.

13. K. Kt. to Q's 4th.13. Kt. to K. Kt's 5th.

14. P. to K. R's 3d.14. Kt. to K's 4th.

15. Q. to K's 2d.15. P. to K. Kt's 4th.[A]

16. B. to K. Kt's 3d.16. K. R. to K. Kt's 2d.

17. K. Kt. to K. B's 5th.17. K. R. to K. Kt's 3d.

18. P. to K. B's 4th.18. P. takes P.

19. K. R. takes P.19. K. to R's sq.

20. K. R. to K. R's 4th.20. K. B. to his sq.

22. Q. R. to K. B's sq.22. Q. to K's 3d.

23. Q. Kt. to Q. Kt's 5th.23. Q. to K. Kt's sq.

24. Q. R. to K. B's 2d.24. P. to Q. R's 3d.

25. Q. Kt. takes Q. B. P.[B]25. Q. R. to Q. B's sq.

26. Q. Kt. to Q's 5th.26. B. takes Kt.

27. K. P. takes B.27. Q. R. to Q. B's 2d.[C]

28. P. to Q. B's 4th.28. B. to K's 2d.

29. K. R. to K. R's 5th.29. Q. to K's sq.

30. P. to Q. B's 5th.[D]30. Q. R. takes P.

31. K. R. takes P. (ch.)31. K. takes R.

32. Q. to K. R's 5th. (ch.)32. K. to Kt. sq.

33. Kt. takes B. (ch.)33. K. to Kt's 2d.[E]

34. Kt. to K. B's 5th. (ch.)34. K. to Kt's sq.

35. Kt. takes Q. P.

And Black cannot possibly save the game.

Game III.—Between Mr. Morphy and Mr. Harrwitz.

Go to PGN_03
Go to PGN_03

WHITE. (Mr. M.) BLACK. (Mr. H.)

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. takes P.

4. Q. takes P. 4. Q. Kt. to Q. B's 3d.

5. K. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. 5. Q. B. to Q's 2d.

6. B. takes Kt. 6. B. takes B.

7. B. to K. Kt's 5th. 7. Kt. to K. B's 3d.

8. Q. Kt. to Q. B's 3d. 8. K. B. to K's 2d.

9. Castles on Q's side. 9. Castles.

10. K. R. to K's sq.10. P. to K. R's 3d.

11. B. to K. R's 4th.11. Kt. to K's sq.

12. B. takes B.12. Q. takes B.

13. P. to K's 5th.13. B. takes Kt.

14. P. takes B.14. Q. to K. Kt's 4th. (ch.)

15. K. to Q. Kt's sq.15. P. takes P.

16. K. R. takes P.16. Q. to K. Kt's 7th.

17. Kt. to Q's 5th.17. Q. takes K. R. P.

18. K. R. to K's sq.18. Q. to Q's 3d.

19. K. R. to K. Kt's sq.19. K. to K. R's 2d.

20. Q. to K's 3d.20. P. to K. B's 4th.

21. Kt. to K. B's 4th.21. Q. to Q. Kt's 3d.

22. Q. to K's 2d.22. K. R. to K. B's 2d.

23. Q. to Q. B's 4th.23. Q. to K. B's 3d.

24. Kt. to K. R's 5th.[A]24. Q. to K's 2d.

25. Q. R. to K's sq.25. Q. to Q's 2d.

26. P. to Q. R's 3d.26. Kt. to Q's 3d.

27. Q. to Q's 4th.27. Q. R. to K. Kt's sq.

28. K. R. to K. Kt's 2d.28. P. to Q. Kt's 3d.

29. Q. R. to K. Kt's sq.29. Kt. to K's sq.

30. Q. to Q. B's 3d.30. P. to K. B's 5th.[B]

31. Q. R. to K. R's sq.[C]31. P. to K. Kt's 3d.

32. Q. R. to K. Kt's sq.32. Q. to Q's 4th.

33. Q. to K's sq.33. P. takes Kt.

34. K. R. to Kt's 5th.[D]34. Q. takes P.

35. Q. to K's 5th.35. K. R. to K. B's 3d.

36. Q. to K's 7th. (ch.)36. Q. R. to K. Kt's 2d.

37. Q. takes Kt.37. P. takes R.

38. Q. to K's sq.38. Q. to Q. B's 3d.

39. P. to K. B's 3d.39. K. R. to K's 3d.

40. Q. to K. B's 2d.40. Q. R. to K's 2d.

And White abandoned the game.

Game IV.—Between Mr. Morphy and Mr. Bird of London.

Go to PGN_04
Go to PGN_04

WHITE. (Mr. B.) BLACK. (Mr. M.)

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. to K. B's 4th.

4. Kt. to Q. B's 3d. 4. K. B. P. takes P.

5. Q. Kt. takes P. 5. P. to Q's 4th.

6. Kt. to K. Kt's 3d. 6. P. to K's 5th.

7. Kt. to K's 5th. 7. Kt. to K. B's 3d.

8. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th. 8. B. to Q's 3d.

9. Kt. to K. R's 5th. 9. Castles.

10. Q. to Q's 2d.10. Q. to K's sq.

11. P. to K. Kt's 4th.11. Kt. takes K. Kt. P.

12. Kt. takes Kt.12. Q. takes Kt.

13. Kt. to K's 5th.13. Kt. to Q. B's 3d.

14. B. to K's 2d.14. Q. to K. R's 6th.

15. Kt. takes Kt.15. P. takes Kt.

16. B. to K's 3d.16. R. to Q. Kt's sq.

17. Castles (Q. R.)17. R. takes K. B. P.

18. B. takes R.18. Q. to Q. R's 6th.

19. P. to Q. B's 3d.19. Q. takes Q. R. P.

20. P. to Q. Kt's 4th.20. Q. to Q. R's 8th. (ch.)

21. K. to B's 2d.21. Q. to R's 5th. (ch.)

22. K. to Kt's 2d.22. B. takes Q. Kt. P.

23. P. takes B.23. R. takes P. (ch.)

24. Q. takes R.24. Q. takes Q. (ch.)

25. K. to B's 2d.25. P. to K's 6th.

26. B. takes P.26. B. to K. B's 4th. (ch.)

27. R. to Q's 3d.27. Q. to Q. B's 5th. (ch.)

28. K. to Q's 2d.28. Q. to Q. R's 7th. (ch.)

29. K. to Q's square.29. Q. to Kt's 8th. (ch.)

And White resigns.

Game V.—(By Philidor.)

Go to PGN_05
Go to PGN_05

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to K. B's 3d. 2. P. to Q's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. to K. B's 4th.

4. P. takes K. P. 4. K. B. P. takes K. P.

5. Kt. to Kt's 5th. 5. P. to Q's 4th.

6. P. to K. B's 4th.[A] 6. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.

7. P. to Q. B's 4th. 7. P. to Q. B's 3d.

8. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 8. K. Kt. to K's 2d.

9. P. to K. R's 4th. 9. P. to K. R's 3d.

10. K. Kt. to R's 3d.10. Castles.

11. Q. Kt. to Q. R's 4th.11. B. to Q. Kt's 5th. (ch.)

12. B. to Q's 2d.12. B. takes B. (ch.)

13. Q. takes B.13. P. to Q's 5th.

14. P. to Q. B's 5th.14. P. to Q. Kt's 4th.

15. P. takes P. (in passing).15. Q. R. P. takes P.

16. P. to Q. Kt's 3d.16. Q. B. to K's 3d.

17. B. to K's 2d.17. Kt. to K. B's 4th.

18. K. Kt. to his sq.18. K. Kt. to Kt's 6th.

19. K. R. to his 2d.19. P. to K's 6th.

20. Q. to her Kt's 2d.20. P. to Q's 6th.

21. B. to K. B's 3d.21. K. R. takes P.

22. Castles on Q's side.22. K. R. takes Kt.

23. P. takes K. R.23. Q. R. takes P.

24. P. to Q. R's 3d.24. R. to Q. B's 5th. (ch.)

25. K. to Q. Kt's sq.25. R. to Q. B's 7th.

26. Q. to Kt's 4th.26. Q. Kt. to R's 3d.

27. Q. to K. B's 4th.27. Q. Kt. to B's 4th.

28. Q. takes K. Kt.

And Black mates in two moves.

GAME THE FIFTH. Petroff's Defence.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th. 3. P. takes P.

4. P. to K's 5th. 4. Kt. to K's 5th. (best)

5. Kt. takes P. 5. P. to Q's 3d. (best).

6. P. takes P. 6. K. B. takes P.

7. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 7. K. B. to Q. B's 4th.

8. Q. B. to K's 3d. 8. Castles.

9. Castles. 9. Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.

The game is equal.

Variation I. Commencing at Black's 3d move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th.3. Kt. takes P.

4. K. B. to Q's 3d.4. P. to Q's 4th.

5. Kt. takes K's P.5. Kt. to Q's 3d.

6. P. to Q. B's 4th.6. P. takes P.

7. K. Kt. takes P.7. Q. B. to K's 3d.

8. Kt. to K's 3d.8. B. to K's 2d.

9. Castles.9. Castles.

You have the move, and somewhat the advantage of position.

Variation II. Beginning at White's 5th move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. P. to Q's 4th.3. P. takes P.

4. P. to K's 5th.4. Kt. to K's 5th.

5. K. B. to Q's 3d.5. K. Kt. to Q. B's 4th

6. Kt. takes P.6. P. to Q's 3d.

7. P. takes P.7. K. B. takes P.

8. Castles.8. Castles.

It would not be a good move for Black, instead of castling, to take your K. R. P. (ch.) and then to take the Kt., on account of your check with the B., which would leave his Q. exposed to capture.

Variation III. Beginning at White's 3d move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. Kt. takes K's P. 3. Kt. takes P.

4. Q. to K's 2d. 4. Q. to K's 2d.

5. Q. takes Kt. 5. P. to Q's 3d.

6. P. to Q's 4th. 6. P. to K. B's 3d.

7. P. to K. B's 4th. 7. Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.

8. Q. Kt. to B's 3d. 8. Q. P. takes Kt.

9. Q. Kt. to Q's 5th. 9. Q. to her 3d.

10. Q. P. takes P.10. P. takes P.

11. P. takes P.11. Q. to her B's 3d.

12. K. B. to Q. Kt's 5th.12. Q. to her B's 4th.

13. P. to Q. Kt's 4th.

Winning the Q. At his 12th move, Black might prolong the game by playing 12. Q. to K. Kt's 3d, but in that case you would take 13. Q. B. P. with the Kt. (ch.), then take Q. with Q., and afterwards Q. R. with Kt.

Variation IV. Beginning at Black's 3d move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th.1. P. to K's 4th

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. Kt. takes K. P.3. P. to Q's 3d.

4. Kt. to K. B's 3d.4. Kt. takes K's P.

5. P. to Q's 4th.5. P. to Q's 4th.

6. K. B. to Q's 3d.6. K. B. to K's 2d.

7. Castles.7. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.

8. P. to Q. B's 4th.8. Q. B. to K's 3d.

9. P. to Q. R's 3d.9. Castles.

You are now enabled to play Q. to her B's 2d, and obtain a good attacking situation.

ANOTHER VARIATION, Beginning at the 3d move of White.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. Kt. takes P.

4. Q. to K's 2d. 4. P. to Q's 4th.

5. Kt. takes K. P. 5. K. B. to Q. B. 4 (best)

6. P. to Q's 3d. 6. B. takes K. B. P. (ch.)

7. K. to Q's sq. (best) 7. B. to Q. Kt's 3d.

8. Kt. takes K. B. P. 8. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th.

9. Kt. takes Q. 9. B. takes Q. (ch.)

10. K. takes B.10. Kt. to K. B's 7th.

11. R. to K. B's sq.11. P. takes B.

12. Kt. to K's 6th.12. P. takes P. (ch.)

13. P. takes P.13. K. to his 2d.

14. Kt. takes K. Kt. P.14. R. to K. Kt's sq.

15. Kt. to K. B's 5th. (ch.)15. K. to his 3d.

16. Q. B. to K's 3d.16. B. takes B.

17. Kt. takes B.17. Kt. to K. Kt's 5th.

The positions are equal, but you have a pawn more.

Variation (A.) Beginning at Black's 6th move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. Kt. takes P.

4. Q. to K's 2d. 4. P. to Q's 4th.

5. Kt. takes K. P. 5. K. B. to Q. B's 4 (best)

6. P. to Q's 3d. 6. Q. P. takes B.

7. Q. takes Kt. 7. Castles.

8. Q. takes doubled P. 8. Q. to K's 2d.

9. P. to K. B's 4th. 9. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.

10. Q. to K's 4th.10. K. R. to K's sq.

11. K. to Q's sq.11. Q. to K. R's 5th.

12. P. to K. Kt's 3d.12. Q. to K. R's 4th. (ch.)

13. K. to Q's 2d.13. Kt. takes Kt.

14. P. takes Kt.14. R. takes P.

Winning easily.

Instead, however, of playing 12. P. to K. Kt's 3d, you might at that moment move Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.

12. Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.12. Q. to K. R's 4th. (ch.)

13. Q. Kt. to K. B's 3d. (best)13. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th.

and now, play as you can, Black must gain a decided advantage by taking the K. Kt. with Kt., &c.

VARIATION, Beginning at White's 11th move.

WHITE. BLACK.

1. P. to K's 4th. 1. P. to K's 4th.

2. K. Kt. to B's 3d. 2. K. Kt. to B's 3d.

3. K. B. to Q. B's 4th. 3. Kt. takes P.

4. Q. to K's 2d. 4. P. to Q's 4th.

5. Kt. takes K. P. 5. K. B. to Q. B. 4th. (best)

6. P. to Q's 3d. 6. Q. P. takes B.

7. Q. takes Kt. 7. Castles.

8. Q. takes doubled P. 8. Q. to K's 2d.

9. P. to K. B's 4th. 9. Q. Kt. to B's 3d.

10. Q. to K's 4th.10. K. R. to K's sq.

11. Q. Kt. to Q's 2d.11. Q. to K. R's 5th. (ch.)

12. P. to K. Kt's 3d.12. Q. to K. R's 4th.

13. Q. Kt. to K. B's 3d.13. Q. B. to K. B's 4th.

14. Q. to K's 2d. (best)14. Q. B. to K. Kt's 5th.

15. K. R. to B's sq.15. Q. Kt. to Q's 5th.

And Black must win.

Notes in this chapter

Note 1 · To enable him to capture the Bishop, which is about to take the Kt., with the Q's Pawn.Note 2 · The attack looks already irresistible, but the actual finish is charmingly accomplished.Note 3 · By this move Black may be said to lose a Piece. His best course—but that a bad one—was possibly to retreat his Bishop to K's square.Note 4 · Threatening mate in two moves.Note 5 · To avert the promised mate, by R. takes Pawn, &c.Note 6 · The termination is very pretty—quite an elegant little problem.Note 7 · And Black has no possible means of escape; for, if he play Q. to K's sq., White simply captures the Queen for nothing; if B. to Q. B's 4th (Note 8 · Very imprudent in such a position and against such an opponent. It must be admitted, however, that Black has no good move at this crisis.Note 9 · Perfectly sound, as the sequel shows.Note 10 · Taking the Pawn would have been injudicious; for example, 27. Q. takes Pawn. 28. K. R. takes K. R. P. (ch.)28. K. takes R. (best). 29. Q. toNote 11 · The first step in a combination of admirable daring and ingenuity.Note 12 · Had he taken the Knight it would have cost him his Queen.Note 13 · This looks promising, but does not turn out well. He had better, perhaps, have played K. R. to K. Kt's 6th.Note 14 · Well played. White must now beware, for his Kt. is in sore peril.Note 15 · This will not save the Kt. The best move was K. R. to Kt's 4th.Note 16 · Merely desperate.Note 17 · This is not the proper move; he should play 6. P. to K's 6th.
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