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Classic game replay

Theodor Lichtenhein vs Paul Morphy, 1857

This replay preserves the complete 67-ply score of Morphy playing Black across 34 numbered moves. The board can be advanced one ply at a time; the notes stick to observable board changes rather than guessing at the players’ intentions.

On this page
  1. Practice positions
  2. Replay with move-by-move board facts
  3. PGN
  4. Sources and checking
  5. Continue with another game
White
Theodor Lichtenhein
Black
Paul Morphy
Event
USA-01.Congress
Year
1857
Result
0-1
Opening
A80 Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation

Opening reference: Dutch Defense: Raphael Variation (A80).

In this game, 17 half-moves are labelled opening, 23 middlegame and 27 endgame. The score contains 19 captures and 5 checks or mates; before a recorded move, the position offered a median of 26 legal choices. The source score ends after 34.Ne2 with the recorded result 0-1. Its termination tag was not retained, so this record does not infer whether the game ended by resignation, time or another cause.

Practice positions

The daily trainer uses a short set of positions from this complete score. Each link goes to the exact half-move rather than only the numbered move.

  1. 9...Qxe5+ — Capture with check on e59...Qxe5+ was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  2. 19...Rxd1+ — Capture with check on d119...Rxd1+ was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  3. 21...Bxc6 — Recapture on c621...Bxc6 was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.
  4. 32...Bxb3+ — Capture with check on b332...Bxb3+ was a leading choice in the fixed engine check.

Replay with move-by-move board facts

The board, fact panel and transcript use the same legal score. “Fixed engine check” means Stockfish 17.1, one thread, a fixed 25,000-node search and 3 candidate lines. It compares moves under one reproducible setting; it does not claim to reconstruct a player’s thoughts.

♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♞♝♛♚♝♞♜
Theodor Lichtenhein vs Paul Morphy, 1857

Start position

Use Previous and Next on the board, or select a move in the transcript. The board fact and fixed engine check remain visible until you choose another move.

Opening · 1.d4 to 9.Qe5

  1. 1.d4 Claim central space

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from d2 to d4; from there it controls e5 and c5.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · d4 Nf6 Nf3 e6.

  2. 1...f5 Advance the f-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from f7 to f5; from there it controls e4.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · f5 Bg5.

  3. 2.Nc3 Develop the knight

    Board fact: White develops the knight from b1 to c3; from there it controls d5 and e4.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Nc3 d5.

  4. 2...Nf6 Develop the knight

    Board fact: Black develops the knight from g8 to f6; from there it controls d5 and e4.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Nf6 e4 fxe4 g4.

  5. 3.Bg5 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: White develops the bishop from c1 to g5; from g5 it attacks Black's knight on f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bg5 d5 Bxf6 exf6.

  6. 3...e6 Advance the e-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from e7 to e6; from there it controls d5 and f5.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · e6 e4.

  7. 4.e4 Change the pawn structure

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from e2 to e4; the move changes the central pawn contact; from e4 it attacks Black's pawn on f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · e4 fxe4 Nxe4 Be7.

  8. 4...fxe4 Exchange on e4

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on e4; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the e-file; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · fxe4 Nxe4 Be7 Bxf6.

  9. 5.Nxe4 Recapture on e4

    Board fact: White's knight recaptures the pawn on e4; from e4 it attacks Black's knight on f6; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nxe4 Be7 Bxf6 Bxf6.

  10. 5...Be7 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: Black develops the bishop from f8 to e7; from there it controls c5, d6 and f6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Be7 Bxf6 Bxf6 c3.

  11. 6.Bxf6 Exchange on f6

    Board fact: White's bishop takes the knight on f6; from f6 it attacks Black's bishop on e7 and Black's pawn on g7; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxf6 Bxf6 c3 Nc6.

  12. 6...Bxf6 Recapture on f6

    Board fact: Black's bishop recaptures the bishop on f6; from f6 it attacks White's pawn on d4; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxf6 c3.

  13. 7.Qh5+ A forcing check

    Board fact: White moves the queen from d1 to h5; the move checks Black's king; from h5 it attacks Black's pawn on h7.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Qh5+.

  14. 7...g6 Answering the check

    Board fact: Black answers the check by moving the pawn from g7 to g6; from g6 it attacks White's queen on h5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · g6 Qh6 Nc6 Nf3.

  15. 8.Nxf6+ Capture with check on f6

    Board fact: White's knight takes the bishop on f6; the move checks Black's king; from f6 it attacks Black's pawn on d7 and Black's pawn on h7; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Qh6 ranked higher · Nxf6+ Qxf6 Qg4 b6.

  16. 8...Qxf6 Recapture on f6

    Board fact: Black's queen recaptures the knight on f6; from f6 it attacks White's pawn on d4 and White's pawn on f2; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxf6 Qe5 Qxe5+ dxe5.

  17. 9.Qe5 Create pressure on f6

    Board fact: White moves the queen from h5 to e5; from e5 it attacks Black's queen on f6 and Black's pawn on c7.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Qe5 Qxe5+ dxe5 Rf8.

Middlegame · 9...Qxe5+ to 20...Rf8

  1. 9...Qxe5+ Capture with check on e5

    Board fact: Black's queen takes the queen on e5; the move checks White's king; from e5 it attacks White's pawn on d4 and White's pawn on h2; black is ahead by 9 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Qxe5+ dxe5 Nc6 f4.

  2. 10.dxe5 Recapture on e5

    Board fact: White's pawn recaptures the queen on e5; the move changes the central pawn contact; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · dxe5.

  3. 10...b6 Advance the b-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from b7 to b6; from there it controls c5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · b6 h4.

  4. 11.O-O-O Queenside castling

    Board fact: White castles queenside, moving the king to c1 and the rook to d1. The move changes king safety and develops the rook in one turn.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · O-O-O Nc6 f4 Bb7.

  5. 11...Bb7 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: Black develops the bishop from c8 to b7; from b7 it attacks White's pawn on g2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bb7 Nh3 Nc6 f4.

  6. 12.Nh3 Develop the knight

    Board fact: White develops the knight from g1 to h3; from there it controls f4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nh3 Nc6 f4 h6.

  7. 12...Rf8 Rook on the semi-open f-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from h8 to f8; the rook now works on a semi-open f-file; from f8 it attacks White's pawn on f2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf8.

  8. 13.Rg1 Improve the rook

    Board fact: White moves the rook from h1 to g1; from g1 it reinforces the bishop on f1.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rg1 Nc6 f4 O-O-O.

  9. 13...Nc6 Develop the knight

    Board fact: Black develops the knight from b8 to c6; from c6 it attacks White's pawn on e5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nc6 f4 O-O-O Be2.

  10. 14.f4 Advance the f-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from f2 to f4; from there it controls e5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · f4 O-O-O Be2 h6.

  11. 14...Ke7 Reposition the king

    Board fact: Black moves the king from e8 to e7; from there it controls d6, e6 and f6.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Ke7 g3.

  12. 15.g3 Advance the g-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from g2 to g3; from there it controls f4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · g3 h6 Rd2 Rad8.

  13. 15...d6 Change the pawn structure

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from d7 to d6; the move changes the central pawn contact; from d6 it attacks White's pawn on e5.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · d6.

  14. 16.Bg2 Develop the bishop

    Board fact: White develops the bishop from f1 to g2; from g2 it attacks Black's knight on c6.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Bg2 dxe5 Rde1 h6.

  15. 16...dxe5 Exchange on e5

    Board fact: Black's pawn takes the pawn on e5; the move changes the central pawn contact; Black accepts doubled pawns on the e-file; from e5 it attacks White's pawn on f4; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · dxe5 Rde1 Rf5 g4.

  16. 17.fxe5 Recapture on e5

    Board fact: White's pawn recaptures the pawn on e5; the move changes the central pawn contact; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · fxe5 Rad8 Be4 Rxd1+.

  17. 17...Rf5 Rook on the open f-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from f8 to f5; the rook now occupies the open f-file; from f5 it attacks White's pawn on e5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf5 Nf4.

  18. 18.Rge1 Improve the rook

    Board fact: White moves the rook from g1 to e1; from there it controls e4, e5 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Rge1 Rd8 Nf4 Rxd1+.

  19. 18...Rd8 Rook on the open d-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from a8 to d8; the rook now occupies the open d-file; from d8 it attacks White's rook on d1.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rd8 Nf4 Rxd1+ Kxd1.

  20. 19.g4 Create pressure on f5

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from g3 to g4; from g4 it attacks Black's rook on f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · g4 Rff8 Re3 Na5.

  21. 19...Rxd1+ Capture with check on d1

    Board fact: Black's rook takes the rook on d1; the move checks White's king; the rook now occupies the open d-file; from d1 it attacks White's rook on e1; black is ahead by 5 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxd1+ Kxd1 Rf8 Re3.

  22. 20.Kxd1 Recapture on d1

    Board fact: White's king recaptures the rook on d1; from d1 it reinforces the rook on e1; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxd1.

  23. 20...Rf8 Rook on the open f-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from f5 to f8; the rook now occupies the open f-file; from there it controls f3, f4 and f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf8 Re3.

Endgame · 21.Bxc6 to 34.Ne2

  1. 21.Bxc6 Exchange on c6

    Board fact: White's bishop takes the knight on c6; from c6 it attacks Black's bishop on b7; white is ahead by 3 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Recorded move; Re3 ranked higher · Bxc6.

  2. 21...Bxc6 Recapture on c6

    Board fact: Black's bishop recaptures the bishop on c6; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxc6 Kd2 h6 b3.

  3. 22.Kd2 Activate the king

    Board fact: White moves the king from d1 to d2; from there it controls c3, d3 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kd2 h6 Re3 Rf1.

  4. 22...h6 Advance the h-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from h7 to h6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · h6 Re3.

  5. 23.Re3 Improve the rook

    Board fact: White moves the rook from e1 to e3; from there it controls e4, e5 and c3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Re3.

  6. 23...g5 Advance the g-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from g6 to g5; from there it controls f4.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · g5 b3 Bf3 Nf2.

  7. 24.b3 Advance the b-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from b2 to b3; from there it controls c4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · b3.

  8. 24...Rf1 Rook on the open f-file

    Board fact: Black moves the rook from f8 to f1; the rook now occupies the open f-file; from there it controls f3, f4 and f5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rf1 Re1 Rf7 Re3.

  9. 25.Re1 Create pressure on f1

    Board fact: White moves the rook from e3 to e1; from e1 it attacks Black's rook on f1.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Re1 Rf8 Re3 Bb7.

  10. 25...Rxe1 Exchange on e1

    Board fact: Black's rook takes the rook on e1; from e1 it attacks White's pawn on e5; black is ahead by 5 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Rxe1 Kxe1 Bg2 Nf2.

  11. 26.Kxe1 Recapture on e1

    Board fact: White's king recaptures the rook on e1; the reduced material makes this king activation practical; material is level after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxe1 Bg2 Nf2 Kd7.

  12. 26...Be4 Create pressure on c2

    Board fact: Black moves the bishop from c6 to e4; from e4 it attacks White's pawn on c2.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Be4 Kd2 Bg2 Nf2.

  13. 27.Kd2 Activate the king

    Board fact: White moves the king from e1 to d2; from there it controls c3, d3 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kd2 Kd7 Nf2 Bg2.

  14. 27...Kd7 Activate the king

    Board fact: Black moves the king from e7 to d7; from there it controls c6, d6 and e6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kd7 Nf2.

  15. 28.c4 Advance the c-pawn

    Board fact: White moves the pawn from c2 to c4; from there it controls d5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · c4 Bg2 Nf2 Kc6.

  16. 28...Kc6 Activate the king

    Board fact: Black moves the king from d7 to c6; from there it controls d5, c5 and d6.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kc6 Nf2 Bg2 Nd1.

  17. 29.Nf2 Create pressure on e4

    Board fact: White moves the knight from h3 to f2; from f2 it attacks Black's bishop on e4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nf2.

  18. 29...Bb1 Create pressure on a2

    Board fact: Black moves the bishop from e4 to b1; from b1 it attacks White's pawn on a2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bb1 Kc3 b5 Kb2.

  19. 30.Nd1 Reroute the knight

    Board fact: White moves the knight from f2 to d1; from there it controls c3 and e3.

    Fixed engine check: Near the leading choice · Nd1.

  20. 30...Bxa2 Exchange on a2

    Board fact: Black's bishop takes the pawn on a2; from a2 it attacks White's pawn on b3; black is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxa2 Kc2.

  21. 31.Kc2 Activate the king

    Board fact: White moves the king from d2 to c2; from there it controls c3 and d3.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kc2 Kc5 Nc3 Bxb3+.

  22. 31...Kc5 Create pressure on c4

    Board fact: Black moves the king from c6 to c5; from c5 it attacks White's pawn on c4.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kc5 Nc3.

  23. 32.Nc3 Develop the knight

    Board fact: White develops the knight from d1 to c3; from c3 it attacks Black's bishop on a2.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Nc3.

  24. 32...Bxb3+ Capture with check on b3

    Board fact: Black's bishop takes the pawn on b3; the move checks White's king; from b3 it attacks White's pawn on c4; black is ahead by 2 conventional material points after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Bxb3+ Kxb3 Kd4 Nb5+.

  25. 33.Kxb3 Recapture on b3

    Board fact: White's king recaptures the bishop on b3; from b3 it reinforces the knight on c3; white is ahead by 1 conventional material point after the capture.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · Kxb3 Kd4 Nb5+ Kxe5.

  26. 33...c6 Advance the c-pawn

    Board fact: Black moves the pawn from c7 to c6; from there it controls d5.

    Fixed engine check: Ranked first · c6 Ne4+ Kd4 Nd6.

  27. 34.Ne2 Reroute the knight

    Board fact: White moves the knight from c3 to e2; from there it controls d4, c3 and f4.

    Fixed engine check: Playable; Ne4+ ranked higher · Ne2 b5.

PGN

[Event "USA-01.Congress"] [Site "?"] [Date "1857.??.??"] [White "Lichtenhein, Theodor"] [Black "Morphy, Paul"] [Result "0-1"] 1. d4 f5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Bg5 e6 4. e4 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Be7 6. Bxf6 Bxf6 7. Qh5+ g6 8. Nxf6+ Qxf6 9. Qe5 Qxe5+ 10. dxe5 b6 11. O-O-O Bb7 12. Nh3 Rf8 13. Rg1 Nc6 14. f4 Ke7 15. g3 d6 16. Bg2 dxe5 17. fxe5 Rf5 18. Rge1 Rd8 19. g4 Rxd1+ 20. Kxd1 Rf8 21. Bxc6 Bxc6 22. Kd2 h6 23. Re3 g5 24. b3 Rf1 25. Re1 Rxe1 26. Kxe1 Be4 27. Kd2 Kd7 28. c4 Kc6 29. Nf2 Bb1 30. Nd1 Bxa2 31. Kc2 Kc5 32. Nc3 Bxb3+ 33. Kxb3 c6 34. Ne2 0-1

Sources and checking

Score source: Chess Database, version 1 by Ana Schaigorodsky (2016), licensed under CC BY 4.0. LibreChess selected the exact score identified by sha256:e75626c840d90ff8298623be3227cd78d09effa77cf53d451dd11b588bfe89f4 and pins it in the selection manifest.
Exact Figshare tags:
White="Lichtenhein, Theodor"; Black="Morphy, Paul"; Event="USA-01.Kongress"; Date="1857.10.26"; Result="0-1".
Reviewed display mapping: event USA-01.Kongress → USA-01.Congress. LibreChess parsed the main line with chess.js and stores normalised SAN. Source comments, side variations and termination detail were not retained.

LibreChess checks every SAN move with chess.js and compares the result and move sequence with a stored reference. The engine comparison was calculated offline from the fixed settings above; it is not a source for historical claims. No termination is inferred where the imported score does not preserve one.

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