De Rivière against Morphy, Paris 1858 — the first of the casual Evans's Gambits between the two friends. Black breaks up White's centre and pursues a fine endgame attack to victory. Notes by Löwenthal.
6.O-OIn this opening, not a moment should be lost in prosecuting the attack. This move is open to the objection of so doing; and thus, though it is recommended by some authors, we think P. to Q's 4th a decidedly better move.
11…d5This move has the effect of breaking up White's centre Pawns, besides enabling Black to develope his game, and is the natural result of White's last move, which should have been P. to Q's 5th.
17…Re8Black might have taken the Q's P. with B., but preferred, it would seem, to bring his K's R. into play.
26…Bc7The Bishop now occupies a much more commanding position.
30.Qxc4If 30. P. to Kt's 3rd, Black would have gained a winning position by R. takes Kt., &c.
31…Ne4The following interesting variation would probably have arisen here if Black had chosen to sacrifice the exchange.
40…Nxf2+Black pursues his advantage admirably.
41.Bxf2If White had not taken the Knight, but played his K. to B's 3rd, Black would have won as follows— 41. K. to B's 3rd, R. takes B. (ch.); 42. R. takes R., Kt. to Q's 8th (ch.); 43. K. to Q's 3rd, Kt. to Kt's 7th (ch.), winning the Queen.
J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source