Lessons from Paul Morphy's Immortal Games

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

 

A Legacy of Inspiration: How Morphy Can Improve Your Game Today

In the mid-19th century, a young American named Paul Morphy emerged, dominating chess with his inspiring style.

This comprehensive resource delves into Morphy's legendary games, offering you the chance to:

• Uncover the secrets behind his mind-blowing tactical sacrifices and positional understanding.
• Learn from the master himself by analyzing his most iconic victories.
• Sharpen your own chess skills by incorporating the principles Morphy embodied.

Ready to elevate your chess game? Studying Morphy's legendary tactics, positional mastery, and attacking spirit will equip you for victory.

Paul Morphy Wikipedia Page Extensive History

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Books (Free Morphy Classics)

Delve into the mind of a chess legend! Download FREE classic texts featuring Morphy's games with detailed annotations and historical accounts of his remarkable career. Paul Morphy, the chess champion, by an Englishman F. M. Edge. - by Fredrick Milnes Edge - 209 Page PDF (Book from 1859 , History) - Witness Morphy's meteoric rise through Europe in this captivating historical account featuring his most famous games.  Morphy's games of chess, and Frere's problem tournament - by Thomas Frere -144 Page Pdf (Book of Games) - A collection of the brilliant games played by Paul Morphy, with analysis of his strategies and tactics, along with compositions from Frere's chess problem tournament. Morphy's Games Of Chess Philip Sergeant - 376 Page PDF - One of the earliest compilations of games by Paul Morphy, the great 19th century American chess prodigy, withAnnotated games and analysis by Sergeant. Morphy's games: a selection of the best games played by the distinguished champion in Europe and America - by Paul Morphy 1860 - 501 Page PDF - A comprehensive anthology of Morphy's most brilliant and important chess games played during his tours of Europe and America, annotated and analyzed. Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess - by David Lawson 1976 (Updated 2010) 456 Page PDF - The definitive biography of Paul Morphy, covering his life, games, tragic mental illness later in life, and his profound impact on modern chess.

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Morphy Articles (Uncover Morphy's Legacy)

Dive into the captivating life and career of Paul Morphy through insightful articles by chess historians and enthusiasts.

Paul Morphy - Edward Winter (Crazy Extensive History Here w/ Links to the 7 other Articles by Winter w/ no overlap) 10 Best Chess Games by Paul Morphy - Chessworld - (All Annotated) Top 10 Things to Learn from Paul Morphy - Chessworld - (3 annotated games) Paul Morphy: the First Modern Player - GM Jullio Becarra (Chess.com Article w/ Games) The Rook Lift: Paul Morphy's Last Gift To Chess - (Chess.com Article w/ Lots of games)

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Morphy LiChess Studies (Interactive Training)

Test your skills and dissect Morphy's masterpieces through interactive studies on Lichess, a popular chess platform.

Paul Morphy's best games (annotated) - 7 Chapter Study - Seven of his most famous games fully annotated. Paul Morphy -The Great Chess Genius - 64 Chapter Study - 64 Games w/no annotations

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Games Databases (Explore Morphy's Entire Repertoire)

Unearth a vast collection of Morphy's games, allowing you to filter by opening, opponent, or result and witness his brilliance firsthand.

Chess Tempo

Paul Morphy - 197 Games

Chessgames.com

Paul Morphy - 457 Games (Detailed Morphy Page Broken into these Category's) Most Played Openings Notable Games Notable Tournaments Game Collections Games Annotated by Morphy - 31 Games

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Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Paul Morphy and Johann Löwenthal 

Paul Morphy Video Lessons (Learn from Chess Masters)

Gain visual insights from renowned chess instructors who break down Morphy's most remarkable games and explain his thought process.

Morphy Saga - 97 Video Playlist - agadmators Chess Channel Paul Morphy - 58 Video Playlist - kingscrusher Paul Morphy - 34 Video Playlist - Chess School Paul Morphy: Part 1, Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 42 Min Paul Morphy: Part 2, Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 42 Min Paul Morphy: Part 3, Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 46 Min Paul Morphy: Part 4, Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 41 Min More Games of Paul Morphy, with GM Ben Finegold - 48 Min Ben Finegold analyzes Paul Morphy attacking games! - 1.5 hr Outrageous Chess Sacrifices and Tactics: Paul Morphy's Top Eight Chess Sacrifices of all time! - 25 Min - kingscrusher The Real Chess GOAT Gives a Masterclass on the King's Gambit - 17 Min - GM Igor Smirnov Paul Morphy Plays the Evans Gambit | Tactics Time! - 38 Min - St.Louis CC 3 Times Paul Morphy Won with the Evans Gambit in 17 Moves or Less! - 17 Min - Johnathan Schrantz 12 of Paul Morphy's Greatest Games! | The Dynamic Dozen - 57 Min - St.Louis CC Paul Morphy is Not Strong: The Refutation | Mastering the Middlegame - GM Ben Finegold - 27 Min The Games of Paul Morphy - GM Ben Finegold - 2013.08.07 - 43 Min - St.Louis CC The Legend: Paul Morphy - GM Ben Finegold - 2014.12.18 - 42 Min - St.Louis CC Paul Morphy Finishes Opponents Spectacularly! | Romantic Chess - GM Pepe Cuenca - 57 Min

Bishop's Bounty Great Chess Players of the Past Page

Anti-Dutch Gambits - A80,A82,A83

 
Conquer the Dutch Defense with Anti-Dutch Gambits

Feeling frustrated by the Dutch Defense's early ...f5 move, disrupting your plans for central control?
  
Don't back down! Embrace the fight with Anti-Dutch Gambits,
a daring opening strategy that sacrifices a pawn for rapid development
 and a chance to launch a kingside attack.

This guide will introduce you to the popular Staunton Gambit and the dynamic Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit, providing the tools you need to conquer the Dutch Defense.

        
  Lisitsin Gambit                       Staunton Gambit                   Krejcik Gambit

Lisitsin Gambit Wikipedia Page

Staunton Gambit Wikipedia Page

Bishop's Bounty Dutch Defense (Main) Page
Bishop's Bounty Stonewall Dutch Page
Bishop's Bounty Leningrad Dutch Page

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Anti-Dutch Gambit Articles

Dutch Defense: Staunton Gambit, Lasker Variation - papachess
Dutch Defense: Staunton Gambit, Chigorin Variation - papachess
Dutch Defense: Dominate Early with Blackmar's Second Gambit - papachess
Mastering the Risky Dutch Defense: Krejcik Gambit, Tate Gambit - papachess

Lisitsin’s Gambit - Edward Winter - Explore the intriguing history of Lisitsin’s Gambit in chess, from its early appearances in the 1920s to contemporary discussions on its evolution.

Lisitsyn Gambit Trap: A dangerous knight charge  - Réti Opening: Dutch, Lisitsyn, Rydel-Bloodgood, Polish Gambit, Dalesio Gambit.

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Anti-Dutch LiChess Studies

Destroy The Dutch Defense With The Staunton Gambit - 7 Chapter Study (19 Hearts)

Opening - Staunton Gambit - 9 Chapter study (Many Model Chess Games)

Staunton Gambit Accepted - 6 Chapter Study 

Interactive Dutch Defense - 11 Chapter Interactive Study (4 Lines are gambits) (Nice way to practice some lines with Info thrown at you why you should be making certain moves or why the Chess variation sucks)

The Dutch and Anti-Dutch Systems 6 Chapter Study (900 Hearts)

Dutch: Krejcik Gambit - 48 Chapter Study (Very, Very Extensive Opening Breakdown)

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Puzzles and Tactics

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Staunton Gambit - 225 Puzzles
Staunton Gambit Accepted - 124 Puzzles
Krejcik Gambit - 55 Puzzles
Dutch Defense : Blackmars Second Gambit - 52 Puzzles

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Game Databases

Chess Tempo

Dutch Defense, Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit (A80) - 153 Games
Dutch Defense, Blackmar's Second Gambit (A80) - 299 Games
Dutch Defense, Krejcik Gambit (A80) - 437 Games

Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit, Balogh Defense (A82) - 87 Games
Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit, Accepted (A82) - 236 Games

Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit, General Variation (A83) - 1745 Games
Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit, Chigorin Variation (A83) - 410 games
Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit, Lasker Variation (A83) - 168 Games

Chess365.com

A80: Dutch, Spielmann gambit 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g4 - 8 Games
A80: Dutch, Von Pretzel gambit 1. d4 f5 2. Qd3 e6 3. g4 - 18 Games
A80: Dutch, Krejcik gambit 1. d4 f5 2. g4 - 297 Games

A82: Dutch, Staunton gambit 1. d4 f5 2. e4 - 2589 Games
A82: Dutch, Balogh defence 1. d4 f5 2. e4 d6 - 206 Games
A82: Dutch, Staunton gambit, Tartakower variation 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. g4 - 130 games

A83: Dutch, Staunton gambit, Staunton's line 1. d4 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 - 1813 Games
(Links to all 4 Variations below on this page)
Alekhine variation    4. Bg5 g6 5. h4
Lasker variation        4. Bg5 g6 5. f3
Chigorin variation     4. Bg5 c6
Nimzovich variation  4. Bg5 b6

Chessgames.com (Game Collections)

Dutch-Defence:Staunton-Gambit - 18 Games
Dutch defense - Staunton gambit - 20 Games  (All Wins by Black)
DUTCH Staunton Gambit: White Mates in 25 - 17 Games (All White wins )

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Anti-Dutch Gambit Video Lessons

Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit
CRUSH The Dutch - The Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit - 10 Min (No-Nonsense Guide)

Lisitsyn Gambit
Beat the Dutch! | Lisitsyn Gambit - 23 Min - FM Milan Jocef

Krejcik Gambit
Alterman GGuide Krejcik Dutch Defense part1 - 33 Min - GM Boris Alterman
Alterman GGuide Krejcik Dutch Defense part2 - 31 Min - GM Boris Alterman
Krejcik Gambit (handle with care) · Chess Openings - 22 Min - Hanging Pawns


Staunton Gambit
Staunton Gambit · Chess Openings - 26 Min - Hanging Pawns
A Beginner Lesson In The Staunton Gambit - 41 Min - Anna Crammling
Staunton Gambit - 5 Min - Chessgeek

Traps
Dutch Krecjik Gambit - The X Factor Criss Cross Trap (trap no. 943) - 3 Min - Chess Traps

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Anti-Dutch Gambit Game Videos
(w/Expert Analysis)

Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit
The Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit | Standard Chess #307 - 64 Min - IM John Bartholomew
A Perfect Gambit to Destroy the Dutch Defense! -Stockfish vs Dragon -Janzen-Korchnoi Gambit - 22 Min
Viktor Korchnoi`s gambit crushes Hans Juerg Kanel 1979 (Anti-Dutch) - 33 Min

Lisitsyn Gambit
LIVE GM Blitz chess! #29 Spicy Gambit - The Lisitsyn Gambit - GM Simon Williams

Staunton Gambit
Dutch Defence: Staunton Gambit - 4 Min - Chess School
Dutch Defense: Staunton Gambit: Tartakower S vs Mieses J - 5 Min - Chess School (1925 Baden-Baden)
Dutch Defense, Staunton Gambit : Capablanca vs Masyutin - Kiev 1914 - 6 Min _ Chess School
Watch Tarrash Annihilate The Staunton Gambit | Max Kuerschner vs Siegbert Tarrasch: Nuernberg 1887 - 5 Min - Chess School

Longer Chess Games #64 Playing against the Staunton Gambit - 41 Min - Ginger GM

Dutch Defence - Staunton Gambit - Instructive Chess Game - Gavriel vs Wittmann - 9 Min - Kingscrusher

Mikhail Tal

 

Mikhail Tal: The Brilliant Soviet-Latvian Chess Prodigy

Mikhail Nekhemyevich Tal (1936-1992) was a captivating Soviet-Latvian chess player who rose to become the eighth World Chess Champion. Known as the "Magician from Riga," Tal's unorthodox and daring playing style made him one of the most creative and influential figures in the history of the game.

Tal's Remarkable Accomplishments:

• In 1960, at just 23 years old, Tal became the youngest-ever World Chess Champion, a record that stood for decades.
  
  
• He was a six-time Soviet Champion, equaling a feat only achieved by the legendary Mikhail Botvinnik.
  
  
• Tal was a member of eight Soviet teams that secured gold medals in chess Olympiads, and he also won the individual gold medal five times.
  
  
• He held the record for the longest unbeaten streak in competitive chess history, with 95 games (46 wins, 49 draws) between 1973 and 1974.
  
  
• Beyond his playing career, Tal was highly regarded as a chess writer and commentator.

 Tal Wikipedia Page - Extensive History

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Mikhail Tal Chess Articles

The Top Chess Players in the World - Mikail Tal - Chess.com Article  (w/photos and Games)

Mikhail Tal: “The Only Man Kasparov Feared” - Chess player Profile - Chess Journal (w/games and Embedded Videos)

Garry Kasparov talks about Mikhail Tal and Soviet chess history - translation of a one-hour radio feature about Mikhail Tal, aired on the radio "Echo Moskvy"

Edward Winters (Chess Notes) Amazing Chess Historian
Mikhail Tal (1936-92)   -  Feature Article - Pages of History
Mikhail Tal in London (1964)  -  All the Games from a Simul  in London in 1964 (+12 =8 –4)
Books about Keres and Tal  -  Has the list of Books written on Tal from 1960 - 2019

GM Bryan Smith  Blog
Mikhail Tal And The Modern Benoni - Opening Theory Article (w/ History and 7 Annotated Games)
Attack and Defense from Mikhail Tal -  Middlegame Article (w 1 Annotated Game)
Mikhail Tal's Attacking Secret - Tactics Article (w/ 2 Annotated Games)

GM Gregory Serper Blog
Tal's Attacking Recipe  - Tactics Article (w/ 5 Annotated games) One pattern across different Openings.
The Man Who Beat Mikhail Tal - Tactics Article (w/ History and  5 Annotated Games)

GM Naroditsky Blog
Tal's Sacrifices Explained -  Tactics Article (w/ 2 Annotated Games and a Puzzle)

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LiChess Studies

Mikhail Tal 10 games - 10 Chapter Study (Famous games)

The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal - 18 Chapter Study  (Famous games)

Mikhail Tal - TACTICS - 20 Chapter Interactive Study  (20 Tactics from his games to solve)

Mikhail Tal --⚔️-- Attacking genius! - 37 Chapter Study (All 37 Games are Annotated)

Specific Openings (Lichess Study of Tal playing an opening)

Mikhail Tal - Sicilian - 30 Chapter Study (Tal plays white against different Sicilians)
Tal Plays the Caro-Kann - 23 Chapter Study  (Tal as Black)
Mikhail Tal in the KID - 20 Chapter Study (Tal as Black)

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Games Databases

365Chess.com
Mikhail Tal - 2562 Games  (Really Nice Page with breakdowns of Repertoires for Black and White)

Chessgames.com
Mikhail Tal - 2941 Games (Breakdowns - Notable Games, World Championships, Notable Tournaments, Game Collections)

ChessTempo.com
Mikhail Tal - 2600 Games (Breakdown - Opening Stats)

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Tactics Puzzles

WTHarvey.com
Chess problems taken from the games of Mikhail Tal - 70 Puzzles

There are two types of sacrifices: correct ones and mine.

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Mikhail Tal Game Videos
(w/Annotated Game Analysis)

MIkhail Tal - 157 Video Playlist - kingscrusher
Mikhail Tal -  86 Video Playlist- agadmator's Chess Channel
Mikhail Tal's Best Chess Games - 27 Video Playlist -  NM Sam Copeland
Mikhail Tal - 100 Video Playlist - Chess School
Mikhail Tal - 26 Video Playlist - PowerPlayChess - GM Daniel King

Tal vs Botvinnik | 1960 World Chess Championhip Match - 21 Video Playlist - agadmantor's Chess Channel

The Life and Chess of Mikhail Tal - 2hr Presentation

Mikhail Tal Sacrifices EVERYTHING - 27 Min - Gotham Chess
The Man Who Invented Brilliant Moves - 28 Min - Gotham Chess

Tal's Best Sacrifices - 54 Min - GM Ben Finegold
Great Players of the Past: Mikhail Tal - 46 Min - GM Ben Finegold
Ben Finegold analyzes Mikhail Tal's great attacking games! - 72 Min - GM Ben Finegold

Bishop's Bounty Great Chess Players of the Past Page

Apocalypse Attack - Caro-Kann - Opening Theory

Tired of Facing the Caro-Kann?
Conquer it with the Explosive Apocalypse Attack! 

The Apocalypse Attack is a chess opening variation used against the Caro-Kann Defense.

that begins with the moves

 

 1.e4 c6   2.Nf3 d5   3.exd5 cxd5   4.Ne5.

 

This aggressive line aims to take the game out of traditional opening theory and force Caro-Kann players to navigate unfamiliar positions. 

 

Books - Courses (FREE) 

Short & Sweet: L'Ami's Caro-Kann -  Free Chessable Course - 25 Lines(1hr 18 Min Video) GM Erwin L'Ami (Apocalypse is last Variation in course)

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Apocalypse Chess Articles 

Apocalypse Attack - GM Maria Petrov  (Opening Guide) - unique article on the Apocalypse Attack, where Grandmaster Marian Petrov’s expert review sets it apart from the rest. It’s not just another strategy guide; it’s a deep dive into transforming your approach to the Caro-Kann Defense, complete with practical play tips.

Short & Sweet Guide to 5 Caro-Kann Minor Sidelines - Chess Goals, (5th sideline is Apocalypse Attack) (Just basic how to play against it)

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Apocalypse Attack LiChess Studies

Anti Caro-Kann Apocalypse Attack - 7 Chapter Study (Mostly all White Ideas)

35 Caro-Kann Defense Traps - 37 Chapter Study (28, 29 & 30 Are Apocalypse Attack Traps)

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Puzzles 

LiChess Opening Puzzles

Caro-Kann Apocalypse Attack -  100 Puzzles

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Apocalypse Attack Video Lessons

Quick Guide to the Caro-Kann Defense! || Apocalypse Attack Variation - 7 Min -  basic ideas of the "Caro-Kann Defense" chess opening on its "Apocalypse Attack Variation",

3 Caro Apocalypse TRAPS - 5 min - NM Jesse James - three opening traps in the Caro-Kann Defense, specifically the Apocalypse variation, which can lead to quick victories if the opponent is unaware. The video demonstrates how certain common moves can be exploited by white to gain a significant advantage or even deliver checkmate.

Apocalypse Attack Game Videos (W/ Annotations)

IM Hamed Nouri Outplayed FM David Elorta's Caro-Kann Using Apocalypse Attack. - 2 Min

  Bishops Bounty Caro-Kann Defense Page

Improving Your Worst Piece - Chess Strategy

 

Unleash Your Weakest Warrior:
Resources to Improve Your Worst Chess Piece

Is there a piece on the board feeling a little lost? Don't resign them to the sidelines! This post provides articles, videos, and strategic tips to help you identify and activate your weakest piece, turning a potential liability into a game-changing asset.

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Essential Articles on Activating Your Worst Pieces

Explore expert articles diving into proven strategies for activating your worst-placed chess pieces and unlocking their hidden potential.

The Biggest Secret Of Positional Chess - Chess.com Article by GM Gregory Serper - Unlock the biggest secret of positional chess with GM Gserper! Discover how to transform your game by improving your pieces strategically, one move at a time.

3 Ways To Improve Your Pieces - Chess.com Article by IM Koysta Kavutskiy - Unlock the power of your pieces with three expert tips ! Learn how to strategically position your rooks, bishops, and knights for maximum impact on the board.

Good and Bad Pieces - Chess.com Article by WGM Natalia Pogonina - Discover the secrets of piece evaluation with WGM Natalia_Pogonina! Learn to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each piece to dominate the board.

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Video Lessons: Turning Liabilities into Assets

Level up your piece activation skills with video lessons from renowned coaches. Learn to identify and reposition underutilized pieces for greater board control.

The One Positional Chess Idea You MUST KNOW - 17 Min - Epic Chess -Learn the top secret to positional chess - improving your worst piece. This video teaches a key positional strategy to activate underutilized pieces for maximum impact.

Improving the Worst Piece IM John Ludwig - 29 Min - Palm Beach Chess - IM John Ludwig analyzes a Karpov masterpiece, providing a masterclass on identifying and activating your worst-placed piece for better control.

Improving your worst-placed piece [Beginner-Intermediate chess lesson] - 2hr - Coach Robert   (Beginner's Guide to Piece Activation) - Coach Robert's comprehensive guide helps beginners visualize pieces as controllable "fields" to identify poorly-placed pieces and plan maneuvers for optimal activation.

Improve Your Worst Piece! - 16 Min - Chess to Impress

When stuck, look for the worst piece! · Daily Chess Test #9 - 15 Min - Hanging Pawns -Test your skills at identifying and improving bad or suboptimal pieces to create a winning plan in these instructive positions.

How To Fix Bad Pieces In Chess! - Chess Strategy Explained - 15 Min -Dr. Can's Clinic - Dr. Can explains a key chess strategy - recognizing and reactivating poorly-placed pieces to turn liabilities into assets on the board.

Turn Your BAD Pieces Into HAPPY Pieces! - Chess Strategy Deep Dive #3 - 18 Min - Dr. Can's Clinic - Dive deep into the vital skill of piece improvement. Learn to identify bad pieces and find multi-purpose moves to fix weaknesses while activating your forces.