Löwenthal against Morphy — the first game of their 1858 London match, a drawn Philidor's Defence.
4…Nf6An instructive analysis of this opening will be found in the second volume of the “Chess Monthly,” p. 12.
11.exd5P. to K's 5th would have been bad play, as Black would then have moved the Kt. to K. R's 4th, following with P. to Q's 5th, obtaining an excellent position.
17…Nd4A very good move, which would have proved dangerous had White omitted to make the proper reply.
18.a3The only correct move. Had White played P. to K. R's 3rd, or K. R. to K's sq., Black would have gained at least a Pawn by playing Q. to Q. Kt's 5th, &c.
29.f3Had White played P. to K. R's 3rd, Black would have drawn the game by perpetual check; and if P. to K. Kt's 3rd, Black would have won easily by playing Q. to her 8th (ch.), &c.
29…Nc6Very well played, forcing the retreat of White's Queen from a square where she occupied a strong position.
30.Qe2It is obvious that had White captured the Q. Kt's P., the loss of a piece would have immediately followed.
32.Bxf5This was much better than playing the P. to Q. R's 4th, as Black would then have moved the Queen to Q. Kt's 5th, &c.
33.Qb5Kt. takes Kt's P., instead of the move in the text, would have been injudicious; Black would have replied with Q. to Q. Kt's 5th, threatening to take the Knight, and at the same time improving the position of his Queen.
33…Qc3Correctly played. Had Black preferred Kt. to Q's 5th, White might have replied with Q. takes Q. Kt's P.; Black's best move would then have been Kt. takes B., to which White could have answered with Q. to Q. B's 8th (ch.), regaining the piece with a Pawn a-head and a good position.
J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source