BLINDFOLD GAMES PLAYED IN PARIS.

The following games were played in the latter part of Sept., 1858, at the Café de la Régence, in Paris. Mr. Morphy, in the present instance, contended blindfold, and simultaneously, against MM. Baucher, Bierwith, Bornemann, Guibert, Lequesne, Botier, Préti and Seguin.

The triumph of the American champion was even greater in this blindfold encounter than on other similar occasions. MM. Lequesne and Préti drew their games; all the rest were won by Mr. Morphy.

TABLE No. 1.-PHILIDOR'S DEFENCE.

Mr. Morphy and M. Baucher.

WHITE. (Mr. M.)

1. P. to K's 4th.
2. Kt. to K. B's 3rd.
3. P. to Q's 4th.
4. Q. takes P.

5. B. to Q. Kt's 5th.
6. B. takes Kt.
7. B. to Kt's 5th.

8. B. to R's 4th.

BLACK. (M. B.)

1. P. to K's 4th.

2. P. to Q's 3rd.
3. P. takes P.
4. Kt. to Q. B's 3rd.
5. B. to Q's 2nd.
6. B. takes B.

7. P. to B's 3rd.
8. Kt. to R's 3rd.

It is a question to which square this Knight should now be played— to R's 3rd, or to K's 2nd. Much may be said in favour of both moves. When played to R's 3rd, the Kt. may subsequently be brought back to B's 2nd, and Castling becomes feasible, whilst if the Kt. be moved o K's 2nd, with the object of posting it at Kt's 3rd, a diagonal is left open which will render Castling a less easy matter. The relative merit, however, of the two moves can only be determined by frequently testing them in actual play.

9. Kt. to B's 3rd. 10. Castles (K. R.) 11. Q

to B's 4th (ch.)

9. B. to K's 2nd. 10. Castles.

11. K. to R's sq.

12. Kt. to Q's 4th.

12. Q. to Q's 2nd.

13. Q. R. to Q's sq.

13. R. to B's 2nd.

Played, it would seem, with the view of occupying the vacated square with the Queen's Rook, though we do not see that Black's position would thereby be much improved.

14. P. to B's 4th.

In recording games played by Mr. Morphy, we have noticed, as well worthy of observation, how invariably he seizes the proper moment for advancing the K. B's P. after Castling. It always seems to give him a decided advantage, as in the present instance, for the K's R. is at once brought to bear on the Black King's entrenchments.

15. P. to B's 5th.

14. P. to R's 4th.
15. K. R. to B's sq.

This advance of the K. B's P. effectually prevented Black f carrying out his intention of bringing Q's R. to K. B's sq., on acc of the threatened move of Kt. to K's 6th; and the retreat of the F was no doubt caused by M. Baucher's wish to bring his Knigh play, which he could not now do without leaving his Rook en p

Mr. Morphy is evidently possessed of the rarest ger
From the commencement of the game he makes such

of his pieces that, after serving his purpose to the ut (M. B.)
be brought at once, and without the least loss of t
any given point of the adversary's game. The moves 3rd.
good illustration of our remark; for the Queen, afte. B's 3rd.
time maintained a position of importance, is now
becomes even more powerful than before.

mencement of a very masterly combination.

19. B. to Kt's 3rd.

18. Kt. to

Wegularly (as others of gainst him blindfold) esult is the very reverse

19. Q. too Q's 4th.

To get rid of the Knight by playing B. to Q' P. takes P.
Q's P. to take Bishop if Black's Knight were c.to K. Kt's 5th.

20. B. takes Kt.

21. R. to B's 3rd.

20.

The key move of a beautiful combinati when we remember that it takes place

Q's to Q's 3rd.

to R's 4th. Kt. to Q's 2nd.

taneously with seven others, against strong players, and all without sight of board or men. The diagram following shows the position of the pieces at this interesting point :

25. R. takes P. (ch.)

We again give a diagram of the position, which deserves the student's close examine ion. Mr. Morphy's play here is a remarkable specimen of brilliancy and correctness :

* We can see nothing better; if K. to Kt's sq., White would win with R. to K. Kt's 3rd.

M. Bierwith probably opened his game thus irregularly (as others of Mr. Morphy's opponents did when they played against him blindfold) in the hope of puzzling his antagonist, but the result is the very reverse of that intended.

3. B. to Q's 3rd.

4. P. takes P.

5. Kt. to K. B's 3rd. 6. Castles.

7. P. to K. R's 3rd. 8. B. to K's 3rd.

3. P. to Q's 4th.
4. K's P. takes P.
5. B. to K. Kt's 5th.
6. B. to Q's 3rd.
7. B. to R's 4th.
8. Kt. to Q's 2nd.

9. R. to K's sq.

9. Kt. to K's 2nd.

10. Q. Kt. to Q's 2nd.

White, even at this early stage of the game, has all his pieces in fuii

play.

11. Kt. takes B.

10. B. takes Kt.

11. P. to K. R's 3rd.

A proper measure of precaution, as both the Knight and Bishop, are thus prevented from occupying the K. Kt's 5th.

The advantage to be gained by taking the Knight was more apparent than real if Black take with the Bishop, then follows

We perceive no better move; for if 20. K. to Q's sq., then B. takes Kt. (ch.), and if 20. R. to K. B's sq., then B. to Q's 6th, with an excellent game; and, lastly, if R. takes R., then R. retakes, and if R. be then played to K. B's sq., White takes Kt. with B., and wins.

21. B. takes R.

22. B. takes Kt.

23. R. to Q's B.

21. P. takes B.
22. B. takes B.

And wins. We subjoin a diagram of the position, in order that the student may the more readily examine the different variations :