The Opera Game
by CHESS CLUB CHICAGO
On the evening of November 2, 1858, American chess prodigy Paul Morphy attended a performance of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville at the Italian Opera in Paris. In the Duke of Brunswick’s box, Morphy was prevailed upon to play a game against the Duke and Count Isouard, consulting. The Duke and Count played the Philidor Defence poorly and were swiftly punished. By move 16, with his entire army mobilised and his opponents’ pieces tangled on the back rank, Morphy delivered one of the most celebrated combinations in chess history.
White to move—mate in 2.
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16. Qb8+!! Morphy sacrifices the queen. The knight on d7 is forced to capture: 16… Nxb8. Then 17. Rd8# — the rook slides to d8 and the black king, hemmed in by its own pieces on b8 and e6, has no legal move. Checkmate.
Chess Club Chicago (est. 2022) is a social club that hosts free weekly meetups for players of all levels to connect and play. Follow them on Instagram to find their next Monday night location.