Morphy's Opera Game is lesson 1 of 10 in Brilliant sacrifices 3: king hunts, an opening course suited to players rated around 1500 (club players). Philidor Defence, C41. Morphy's famous game: sacrifice after sacrifice, and mate on d8. It has 3 interactive exercises: 3 find-the-move puzzles. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
This is the Opera Game, played by Paul Morphy at the Paris opera in 1858. Black's king is still on e8, and Black's pieces are not developed. The pawn on b5 just attacked your bishop. About 1,034 rated games on Lichess have reached this position.
Nxb5! The knight takes the pawn. If cxb5, the bishop takes back with check and pins the knight on d7.
After cxb5 and Bxb5 check, Black blocks with the knight. White castles long, gives the rook on d7, and mates with Qb8 check and Rd8. Black's pieces never got into the game.
Recap.
With the enemy king in the centre, open lines.
Nxb5, cxb5, Bxb5 check pins the knight.
Castle long and bring the rooks to the d-file.
Morphy finished with Qb8 check and Rd8 mate.
What you practise
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Philidor Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's pawn on b5 hits your bishop. Do not retreat. Give a knight to open the lines.
Black does not take the knight. Black checks from b4 to trade queens. Take the queen.
Worked examples
First play the line. You are White: play the moves of the Philidor Defence, up to the moment of the sacrifice. Good. Black answers b5. Now the position is ready for the sacrifice.
Your turn: find the sacrifice. Black's pawn on b5 hits your bishop. Do not retreat. Give a knight to open the lines. That is Morphy's sacrifice. Open lines matter more than material when the king is in the centre.
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