The Opera Game
Paul MorphyvsDuke Karl of Brunswick and Count Isouard
Paris Opera casual game18581-0
Morphy, seated with his back to the stage while his two aristocratic hosts consulted each other over the board, produced the most famous miniature ever played. He reportedly wanted to watch the opera; the Duke and the Count wanted to watch him.
Every white piece develops with a threat, the rooks arrive on the only open file, and the final queen sacrifice into Rd8 mate is the first combination most players are ever shown.
Replay the game
Free account. Your own copy to explore.
| 1. | e4📖 | e5📖 |
| 2. | Nf3📖 | d6📖 |
| 3. | d4📖 | Bg4 |
| 4. | dxe5 | Bxf3 |
| 5. | Qxf3★ | dxe5★ |
| 6. | Bc4 | Nf6?! |
| 7. | Qb3★ | Qe7 |
| 8. | Nc3 | c6★ |
| 9. | Bg5★ | b5 |
| 10. | Nxb5! | cxb5?! |
| 11. | Bxb5+! | Nbd7★ |
| 12. | O-O-O! | Rd8★ |
| 13. | Rxd7★ | Rxd7 |
| 14. | Rd1! | Qe6 |
| 15. | Bxd7+★ | Nxd7★ |
| 16. | Qb8+!! | Nxb8★ |
| 17. | Rd8#! |
Critical moments
16. Qb8+Brilliance
White played Qb8+!! A winning sacrifice.
The moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3 Qe7 8. Nc3 c6 9. Bg5 b5 10. Nxb5 cxb5 11. Bxb5+ Nbd7 12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rxd7 Rxd7 14. Rd1 Qe6 15. Bxd7+ Nxd7 16. Qb8+ Nxb8 17. Rd8# 1-0