The Opera Game
Morphy vs Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard (1858)
One of the most famous chess games ever played, demonstrating Paul Morphy's genius through brilliant piece development and sacrificial play.
White
Paul Morphy
American chess prodigy and unofficial World Champion
Black
Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard
Consulting together against Morphy
Game Progression
Game Analysis
Historical Legacy
The Opera Game, played in 1858 at the Paris Opera House, is one of the most famous chess games ever played. It perfectly demonstrates Paul Morphy's genius through rapid development, piece coordination, and brilliant sacrificial play. The game is particularly notable for being played while Morphy was watching an opera performance, consulting against two noblemen. This game is frequently used to teach chess principles such as the importance of development, the power of piece coordination, and the beauty of sacrificial combinations. The game's enduring appeal lies in its clarity of purpose and the artistic way Morphy punishes his opponents' slow development and passive play.