Harrwitz, Daniel VS Morphy, Paul 1858.09.29

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Morphy against Harrwitz — the seventh game of their 1858 Paris match (a Dutch Defence), drawn by perpetual check after Morphy let slip a won game.

1. 8.Bxf6 At this point in the 5th game of the match Mr. Harrwitz castled.
2. 11.f4 Mr. Harrwitz made a move similar to this in the game just mentioned, which we condemned, as we do this also; on principle it is weak play, as it leaves a Pawn behind unsupported, and in the particular instance before us causes the position very quickly to turn in favour of the second player.
3. 14.Rae1 This also is a weak move.
4. 14…Bh4 As usual, taking immediate advantage of his opponent's slight error; whether White in reply play Kt. to his 3rd, or P. to K. Kt's 3rd, he gets a bad game.
5. 21…Qf7 Anticipating the advance of the K. Kt's P.
6. 22.Be2 Mr. Harrwitz might have thrown forward the K. Kt's P., and had he done so, a very interesting variation would have arisen. Black could not have taken it on account of B. takes P. (ch.), &c., nor could he have taken Q's P. with the Kt., as B. to Q. B's 4th would have won a piece.
7. 23…Nf6 The correct move, for of course White dare not take the Pawn.
8. 30.Bh5 An excellent move.
9. 31.Re1 Had White taken the Rook, he would have been mated in a few moves by Q. to R's 8th (ch.), &c.
10. 32.Bf3 Mr. Harrwitz evinced judgment in sacrificing the Pawn, for any attempt to save it would have involved him in difficulty.
11. 33…Qe5 Black has now a Pawn a-head, and a position so superior as to render victory almost a certainty.
12. 38…Rh7 Mr. Morphy plays all this with his customary precision.
13. 39…Qb2 Threatening to win the Queen.
14. 41…Rf1+ The main feature of Mr. Morphy's play is that it is so free from mistakes. This, however, was evidently an oversight, and throws away a victory which would have been won with ease had he taken Rook with Rook.
15. 44…Qe5+ And perpetual check existing, the game was declared drawn.

J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source