Chess history is part of the magic of this game we’re all addicted to. It gives us a sense of other times, other ways of thinking and living, and those that embraced the game long before any of us were born. Chess history is filled with glory, horror, triumph, and failure. And a study of the past not only entertains, it also warns us to avoid errors that others have made, and that others will make again.

In this series I will take a quick look at players that were larger than life. They WERE chess history, they formed it by their personalities and skill, and their games still fill us with wonder to this very day.

Though I could easily have started my study of the greatest players in history with the legendary Francois-Andre Philidor (1726-1795), I decided that it was best to begin in the Nineteenth Century since it was only then that strong players were plentiful enough to allow a self proclaimed genius to test himself against others who wanted to be known as “the best.”

In my opinion, de la Bourdonnais (1797-1840) was, by far, the world’s strongest player from about 1821 to the time of his death (this is remarkable since he only learned how to play in 1814, and he didn’t study the game seriously until 1818). A pupil of the incredibly strong Frenchman Deschapelles (1780-1847), de la Bourdonnais eventually became so skilled that he dominated all other players from his own country and, as a result, was forced to visit England in an effort to prove his superiority over everyone else, too. He beat the Scotsman John Cochrane (1798-1878) in 1821, beat the Englishman William Lewis (1787-1870) 5 to 2 in 1823, and eventually came face to face with his career defining opponent, Irishman Alexander McDonnell (1798-1835). A series of six matches followed in 1834, and when the smoke cleared de la Bourdonnais was the clear winner with a total of 45 wins, 13 draws, and 27 losses.

What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that de la Bourdonnais, once wealthy (he and his English wife lived in a chateau at St Malo with, reportedly, five servants and two carriages), had lost his fortune (how this happened has never been made clear) and was now earning a living from chess and chess alone. A man that loved to talk and laugh, he had a tendency to swear horrible oaths (in French) of horror and frustration when he was losing. One reason for this might have been the fact that, while de la Bourdonnais tended to move quickly, McDonnell often took 1 to 2 hours for a SINGLE move! That’s right, the chess clock hadn’t been invented at that time and a player could sit there all day and think about what he intended to do! On the other hand, McDonnell’s long thinks allowed de la Bourdonnais the time to go to another room and play games for money with anyone who wished to place the bet. JUST IMAGINE: you’re playing a serious game against a man who claims he’s the world’s best (McDonnell), you make your moves quickly while he thinks forever, and you play dozens of quick games for cash at the same time as you are playing an unofficial World Championship match game! Then, to top it all off, you crush him (and everyone else you play) like a bug. Now THAT is domination!

Clearly, 1834 was a busy year for both men, and such a long and grueling match had to be exhausting. Poor McDonnell died a year later, but de la Bourdonnais continued to play and play and play. Since he was now a chess god, he could only find games for money if he gave odds. Typically, he offered the finest players in the world pawn-and-move odds and did well. Nevertheless, ill health plagued him, money became more and more scarce (It’s not a pretty fact, but chess and poverty have often gone hand in hand. That’s why it’s important to get a good education, no matter how great a chess talent you might possess!), and eventually he was forced to sell all his possessions to survive (it’s been reported that he sold his books, then his furniture, and then even his clothes).

When, in 1840, a kind English chess writer named George Walker (1803-1879) found de la Bourdonnais and his wife living in total poverty and close to starving, he raised money and moved them to far superior living conditions. Unfortunately, it was too late for de la Bourdonnais, who died three weeks later.

While most players of that time were pure tacticians and attackers, de la Bourdonnais understood positional chess and played excellent endgames (of course, he could also go after an opponent’s King with the same zeal as everyone else!). This gave him a huge advantage over the opposition.

Take a look at the following diagram from the 4th game of the de la Bourdonnais-McDonnell match.

de la Bourdonnais - McDonnell

Instead of looking for tactics (as most did at that time), de la Bourdonnais played for a positional advantage: 1.Qf3 Qd6 2.Bxf6 Qxf6 3.Qxf6 gxf6 4.g4! when White had a grip on the f5-square and eventually won the game.

Our next game clearly shows the difference in positional understanding between these two gladiators.

de la Bourdonnais - A McDonnell
London (8), 1834
1.d4

Attackers of that period and today usually prefer 1.e4 (and de la Bourdonnais played 1.e4 often in this match). The advance of the d-pawn can, of course, also lead to very sharp positions, but it often takes the play into positional battles where an understanding of strategic concepts can easily prove more important than attacking zeal.

1...d5

At the time, more combative systems like 1...Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 (the Nimzo-Indian) or 1...Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 g6 4.e4 d6 (the King’s Indian) were not known. The advance of the pawn to d5 (which takes central space and fights for control of the key square on e4) has always been, and will always be, a logical way to meet White’s first move.

2.c4

In Q-pawn openings it’s rarely a good idea to put the b1-Knight in front of the c-pawn. For example, 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 c6 leaves the c3-Knight unable to move to b5, d5, or e4, while the d5-pawn is very firm. By playing c2-c4 before placing the Knight on c3, White creates a one/two punch of pawn and Knight (when it jumps to c3) that puts real pressure against d5.

2...dxc4

The Queen’s Gambit Accepted, a system that is still very popular today. Other excellent choices are 2...e6 (the Queen’s Gambit Declined) and 2...c6 (the Slav Defense).

3.Nc3

A logical looking move that hasn’t been popular for a long time. Modern choices are 3.e3 (simply intending to take on c4 with the f1-Bishop) or 3.Nf3.

3...f5??

THE MOVE OF A MADMAN!

A horrible positional move that shows how weak McDonnell was strategically. He no doubt thought that he was being aggressive, but this abomination blocks his c8-Bishop, fails to develop a piece, and leaves a gaping hole on e5. This weakened square will eventually make a nice home for a White Knight.

Black’s correct move was 3...e5! when 4.e3 (and not 4.dxe5 Qxd1+) 4…exd4 5.exd4 gives a typical isolated d-pawn position and chances for both sides.

4.e3

White simply intends to regain his pawn by Bxc4. A glance will show that White’s Bishop will be very happy on the a2-g8 diagonal since it makes it impossible for Black to castle kingside.

4...e6

Black wants to develop his f8-Bishop, but the weakness caused by ...f7-f5 already ensures that he will suffer for a long time to come.

5.Bxc4

White has two pieces developed to Black’s none – this, and the first player’s structural advantage (Black has a hole on e5), combine to give Black a very unpleasant position.

5...c6

Black clamps down on the d5-square and stops White from opening things up with a later d4-d5 advance. In one sense this is wise, since the better-developed side usually wants to open up the position so his larger active force can penetrate into hostile territory. However, 5...c6 constitutes another pawn move, and this means that Black is falling even farther behind in development.

6.Nf3

Bringing another piece into play and preparing to get his King to safety by 0–0. Calm, constructive moves like this are all it takes to leave less experienced opponent’s helpless in the face of your strength.

6...Bd6

A Black piece finally comes out, but 6...Nf6, adding to Black’s control over e4, makes far more sense.

7.e4!

White wants to castle, but since Black failed to stop this by ...Nf6, pushing the e-pawn makes good sense. Once White does castle, the open center will leave Black’s King feeling very uncomfortable.

7...b5

True to his nature, McDonnell continues to “attack,” though such moves do little more than creates new weaknesses in Black’s camp (i.e., hole on c5 and backward pawn on c6).

8.Bb3

Calmly defending his Bishop and keeping it on the powerful a2-g8 diagonal.

8...a5

Poor Black is still refusing to develop his pieces! White now takes the opportunity to rip open the center and start his attack against the enemy King. Perhaps it was better to try 8...b4 9.e5 bxc3 10.exd6 cxb2 11.Bxb2, but this is also horrible due to Black’s many pawn weaknesses, the hole on e5, his lack of development, and White’s domination of the dark-squares (this exists due to the loss of Black’s dark-squared Bishop).

9.exf5

Opening both the e-file and the a2-g8 diagonal. Such open files and diagonals are like roads that will rush the White pieces to the helpless, terrified Black King!

9...exf5

Maintaining material equality. However, Black may not know it, but he’s on the verge of death!

10.0–0

Yes! This move may seem obvious, but it’s actually wonderful! In general, only attack when your own King is safe. White’s move accomplishes this. It also brings a Rook into play, and once it moves to e1, the open state of the Black King will become a critical problem.

10...a4

Black decides that he has to get White’s Bishop off that laser a2-g8 diagonal!

11.Bxg8

Now Black’s King is stuck in the center and White is free to attack with all the energy he can muster.

11...Rxg8

No choice, otherwise Black will be a piece down for nothing.

12.Bg5

Developing with gain of time. White realizes that chess is a team game, and this allows him to bring his last few pieces into the attack against Black’s King.

12...Qc7

Moving the Queen to safety. Worse was 12...Be7?? 13.Re1 when White wins huge amounts of material thanks to the pin along the e-file.

13.Qe2+

Pushing the enemy King around. However, 13.Re1+ was probably even stronger.

13...Kf8?

After this it’s nothing but pain for Black. He had to try 13...Kf7, though White would still end up winning the game.

14.Rfe1

The Rook comes into play and, at the same time, creates a threat of 15.Qe8 mate.

14...Kf7

Now the g8-Rook stops the Queen from leaping to e8.

15.Rac1

White’s final piece come into play and threatens death down the c-file by 16.Nxb5! when the Knight can’t be captured due to the pinned c-pawn.

15...Qb7

Getting off the c-file and stopping the just mentioned threat of Nxb5.

16.d5!

NUKING THE CENTER

A winner. The whole center explodes and the resulting open lines MUST favor the side with better development and safer King. This means that Black is doomed.

16...h6

An act of defiance. By attacking the Bishop Black can pretend that he’s calling the shots – at least for a moment!

17.dxc6!

Psychologically crushing. White ignores Black’s sorry threat and continues with his own plans. Now the b5-pawn is loose and the c-file has been opened for White’s c1–Rook.

17...Qa6

Pitiful, but 17...Nxc6 18.Nxb5 Bb8 19.Qc4+ was the end of the world for Black.

18.Nxb5!

Still ignoring the threat to the g5-Bishop! Now this Knight becomes a major part of the attack.

18...hxg5

So Black finally got to eat this Bishop. However, this allows White’s two Knights, his Queen, and both Rooks to rush at the enemy King with animalistic fury.

19.Nxd6+

Taking a piece and calling check at the same time. A great deal!

19...Kg6

Best, since both 19...Kf8 20.Qe7 mate and 19...Kf6 20.Qe7+ Kg6 21.Qxg5+ Kh7 22.Qh5 mate don’t seem very palatable.

20.Ne5+

TOO GOOD LOOKING TO PASS UP

Wins quickly, but 20.Qe3 mated even faster. However, White was just having fun now –20.Ne5+ has a much more pleasing, brutal feel to it!

20...Kf6

Or 20...Kh6 21.Ndf7+ Kh7 22.Qh5 mate.

21.Qh5

This forces mate. There are just too many White pieces around Black's King!

21...g6

Trying desperately to stem the tide.

22.Qh7

Quicker was 22.Ne8+ Rxe8 (just as agonizing was 22...Ke7 23.Nxg6+ Kf7 (23...Kd8 24.Qxg5 mate) 24.Re7 mate) 23.Qxg6+ Ke7 24.Nc4+ Be6 25.Rxe6+ Kd8 26.Rxe8+ Kc7 27.Qd6 mate. However, White’s choice is just as enjoyable.

22...Be6

Finally Black develops a piece! But...it’s too late.

23.Nxg6

Again, a faster finish was possible: 23.Ng4+! fxg4 24.Ne4+ Ke5 (Or 24...Kf5 25.Rc5+ Bd5 26.Qf7+ Ke5 27.Rxd5 mate) 25.Qc7+ Kf5 (25...Kd4 leads to a comic end: 26.Qd6+ Bd5 27.Qf6+ Kd3 28.Re3 mate) 26.Rc5+ Bd5 27.Rxd5+ Ke6 28.Re5 mate.

23...Nxc6

Everything loses, so why not get the Knight out? Naturally, 23...Rxg6 24.Ne8 mate can’t be recommended!

24.Rxc6

Black is defenseless.

24...Qd3

Black didn’t like the look of 24...Qxc6 25.Rxe6+ Kxe6 26.Qe7+ Kd5 27.Qe5 mate.

WHITE HAS TWO WAYS TO MATE IN TWO

25.Qe7+

Oddly, White missed a mate in two by 25.Rxe6+ Kxe6 26.Qf7 mate. Even prettier was 25.Qf7+!! Nxf7 26.Ne8 double-check and mate. How can a player as strong as Labourdonnais miss this? Simple, he wasn’t paying attention since he saw that a forced mate resulted from the line he actually played. In practical play, when you see a forced mate, why bother looking for a faster one? Besides, who knows how many money games he was playing at the same time!

25...Kxg6

Forced. Black could have resigned and spared himself the humiliation.

26.Rxe6+

Eats a Bishop and chases the enemy King to its demise. It doesn’t get too much better than that.

26...Kh5

The only legal move.

27.Qh7+

White was probably singing in joy. You don’t get to do something this brutal too often.

27...Kg4

All Black’s moves are easy to find!

28.Rc4+

Forcing Black to push his f-pawn (which deprives the King of the f4-square), or take the Rook (which allows White’s Queen access to h3).

28...f4

The other way to perish was 28...Qxc4 29.Qh3+ Kf4 30.Qxf5 mate.

29.h3+

Even White’s pawns are taking pot-shots against the poor Black King!

29...Qxh3

The final forced move.

30.Qxh3 mate. Sweet!

ABOUT AS BAD AS IT GETS!

The great Paul Morphy (the subject of my next article!) studied the games of the de la Bourdonnais - McDonnell match very seriously and admitted that they contributed greatly to his understanding of the game as a whole. Playing over master games will do the same for you!