Morphy against Boden, London 1858 — a casual King's Gambit Declined. Notes by Löwenthal.
2…Bc5Authors generally concur in denoting this as the best mode of evading the attack in the King's Gambit. Jaenisch, however, does not go to the same length. In his excellent “Analyse Nouvelle” he says, “Il n'existe, dans notre opinion, aucune manière complètement satisfaisante de refuser le Gambit du Roi,” &c. Boden in his “Popular Introduction” recommends also Kt. to K. B's 3rd as a good move in declining the gambit.
5.Be2Staunton pronounces this to be the best move.
5…Nc6Deviating from the routine method of play, which is B. takes Kt., recommended by Mr. Boden himself.
12…Qxf4The Queen is so badly placed, and so exposed to attack, after the capture of this Pawn, that it is very questionable whether Black's 10th move, which ensured the gaining of the Pawn, was judiciously chosen.
14.Qd3This gains time and enables White to develope his game quickly.
20…h6Taking the Pawn with the Knight would have cost Black a piece, by White's playing Kt. to K. B's 4th.
23.e5Correctly played; after this move White's game is to be taken for choice.
24…Nc4Kt. to K's 5th would in no way have resulted more favourably.
31.e6Very well played.
J. Löwenthal, Morphy's Games of Chess (1860) · Public domain · source