Spanish Game Morphy Defense, MacKenzie Variation

JOSE RAUL CAPABLANCA vs. LEONARD MEYER

New York, 1908

1.  e4, e5

2.  Nf3, Nc6

3.  Bb5, a6

Black’s third move is Morphy Defense, popularized by the legendary chess master, Paul Morphy.

4.  Ba4, Nf6

5.  d4 ….

The Mackenzie Variation, which provides great play in the center.

5. …. Nxe4

6.  d5!!, Ne7

7.  Nxe5, b5

8.  Bb3, Bb7?

Black should have played 8….Nd6 in order to avoid the upcoming disaster.

9. d6!!! ….

 9….. Nxd6

Black thought that he avoided mate. 

10.  Qxd6, Resigns

One of the shortest in chess miniature games.  Superb play by Capablanca.