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Chess Strategy and Tactics: Paul Morphy's Amazing Games
Rating: 4.7 out of 5(61 ratings)
447 students

Chess Strategy and Tactics: Paul Morphy's Amazing Games

Learn From Paul Morphy's genius: Openings, Tactics, and Strategic Insights and Key Principles of the Open Tactical Game
Created byTryfon Gavriel
Last updated 3/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • Be able to play the King's Gambit with key Morphy model games in mind
  • Be able to play the Italian game and in particular the exciting Evans Gambit with key Morphy model games in mind
  • Be able to play the Scotch game more comfortably with key Morphy model games in mind
  • Be able to understand the dangers of the Evans Gambit more clearly as Morphy had nearly a 90% success rate with this in preference to the Ruy Lopez
  • Be able to see clearly how going for the King can even overcome material odds given at the start of games
  • Be able to maximise win probability even when playing with extreme material odds using techniques of pawn fragmentation around opponent's king or "Thorn pawns"
  • Be able to calculate forcing variations more accurately with a Morphy King hunting mindset
  • Be able to have a number of options and mindset for opening up positions and creating tactical opportunities
  • Be able to study a master without being distracted too much by modern technical opening theory to more easily grasp key concepts and ideas fundamental to chess
  • Be able to learn from one the greatest tactical old master to reinforce tactics, forcing moves and combinations and imaginative win-generating concepts
  • Be able to see how to win against inferior play by non masters who are less familiar with opening theory, tactics and positional play than todays masters
  • Be able to appreciate more the so called "Romantic era" of chess which featured intuitive sacrifice and mate instead of often tedious modern grinding games
  • Be able to appreciate a wide range of Paul Morphy iconic games - not just the "Opera" game which Paul Morphy is mostly remembered for
  • Be able to appreciate why a6 in the Ruy Lopez is named after Morphy - known as the Morphy defence to the Ruy Lopez and is seen in over 65% of Ruy Lopez games
  • Be able to form a more "concrete" mindset about downside actual exploitability in concrete moves as opposed to what looks intuitively or vaguely promising
  • Be able to experience a fine "chess game art gallery" with many beautiful and brilliant games which also have great instructiveness to them
  • Be able to play exciting attacking dynamic chess and especially Gambits which were common in the Romantic era of chess
  • Be able to understand that Chess understanding concretely is an evolving community database of example games, and Paul Morphy is an essential foundation of that
  • Be able to understand more what chess commentators mean when they use terms like "principled"
  • Be able to handle Open positions - Mikhail Botvinnik indicated that in such handling there has been nothing new since Morphy
  • Be able to see why Bobby Fischer called him one of the most accurate players who ever lived
  • Be able to see why Bobby Fischer considered Paul Morphy to be probably the greatest genius of them all

Course content

20 sections181 lectures20h 53m total length
  • What other masters have said of Paul Morphy5:07

    Explore how masters like Alekhine, Capablanca, Fischer, and Kasparov praised Paul Morphy's genius, open-position mastery, and tactical brilliance.

  • What Bobby Fischer said about Paul Morphy6:08

    Explore Bobby Fischer's praise for Paul Morphy as a universal, highly accurate tactician whose short, sharp games reveal enduring open-position principles and adaptive genius.

  • Why study the old masters like Morphy? Plans are less impenetrable than modern11:01

    Explore why studying Morphy's games reveals how improvised opening plans, bold sacrifices, and sharp tactics expose principles in action, highlighting contrast with modern engine-influenced play.

  • Introduction to Philosophies and principles12:58

    Explore Paul Morphy’s open games, gambits such as the Evans and king's gambit, and guiding principles, including rules-of-thumb like development and king safety, sacrifices to maximize win probability and checkmate.

  • PIECE DEVELOPMENT - Paul Morphy's Key Principles to look out for6:00
  • CENTRAL CONTROL - Paul Morphy's Central Control Principles to look out for7:14
  • KING SAFETY - Paul Morphy's King Safety Principles4:42
  • More advanced principles to look out for in Paul Morphy games9:17

    Explore advanced principles in Paul Morphy’s games, emphasizing king safety, creating winning probabilities, and exploiting opponent weaknesses through batteries, common squares, and strategic sacrifices.

Requirements

  • Know how the pieces move

Description

Discover the brilliance of Paul Morphy, an American chess prodigy revered for his unparalleled skill and celebrated as an unofficial World Chess Champion. This course invites you to learn from the unforgettable games of a genius whose influence extended to future World Champions like Bobby Fischer and garnered admiration from legends such as José Raúl Capablanca and Wilhelm Steinitz.

Dive into Morphy's electrifying short games, particularly those completed in 25 moves or less, each brimming with lessons on tactical agility and strategic foresight. Highlighted by the iconic 'Opera game,' Morphy's play exemplifies precision and creativity, earning him Fischer's praise as one of history's most accurate players.

Admired by Capablanca for his deep understanding of chess fundamentals and celebrated by Steinitz for his open game mastery, Morphy's legacy is a treasure trove of wisdom for players seeking to enhance their skills.

Through this course, beginners and enthusiasts alike will:

  • Master rapid piece development and assertive center control.

  • Learn the art of opening lines of attack for dynamic engagements.

  • Embrace the Romantic School of Chess's principles for exhilarating and tactical play.

Morphy's preference for the King's Gambit and the Evans Gambit illustrates his love for aggressive play, offering you a chance to explore sharp tactical battles akin to those favored by chess legends. This course not only aims to elevate your understanding of classic chess strategy but also to inspire you with Morphy's spirit of creativity and precision.

Step into the world of Paul Morphy and emerge as a more inventive, tactically astute player, equipped with strategies that have inspired generations of chess champions.

Who this course is for:

  • Beginner to Intermediate chess players