A genius from New Orleans who, in 1857–59, beat every leading player he faced in America and Europe — then walked away from serious chess. His games show how rapid development and open lines destroy an unprepared opponent.
Paul Morphy learned chess by watching his family play and was beating strong local players as a child. In 1857 he won the First American Chess Congress in New York, then sailed to Europe to challenge its masters.
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Conquering Europe
In 1858 he beat Adolf Anderssen and other leading European players in matches, and played blindfold exhibitions against eight opponents at once. In Paris he played the famous Opera Game against the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard during a performance at the opera — a 17-move masterpiece still used to teach development.
On returning to America he largely gave up competitive chess. Many historians believe he was decades ahead of his time in understanding open positions.
Did you know?
♞Fact #1Tap to revealThe Opera Game was played in a private box during an opera performance in Paris.
♝Fact #2Tap to revealMorphy’s competitive career lasted only about two years.
Three lessons from Morphy for your own games
1Develop every piece before attacking
2Open lines when you are ahead in development
3Every move should do something useful
Paul Morphy’s games
Watch the featured game replay itself, or pick any game below. Every game opens move by move with engine analysis.