The Opera Game
Paul Morphy vs Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard · Paris Opera, 1858 · 1–0
Start
Played in a private box at the Paris Opera while Morphy would rather have watched the show, this is the most famous teaching game in chess. Every move develops a piece with purpose, and the finish is a model of how a lead in development becomes a mating attack.
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Played in a private box at the Paris Opera while Morphy would rather have watched the show, this is the most famous teaching game in chess. Every move develops a piece with purpose, and the finish is a model of how a lead in development becomes a mating attack.
The takeaway
Develop every piece toward the centre, castle, and open lines against an uncastled king. A lead in development is real — spend it before your opponent catches up.
Now go make your own.
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