ROOKHABIT · STUDENT SHEET

Two pieces, one idea

Paul Morphy / 1858 / París

Name __________________________ Date ______________

Born in New Orleans, Morphy won the first American Chess Congress in 1857. In 1858 he travelled to Europe and defeated several of its leading players. His games show how developing pieces and opening lines can outweigh extra material. He returned to the United States in 1859 and left serious competition to pursue law.

. . . . k b . r
p . . n . p p p
. . . . q . . .
. . . . p . B .
. . . . P . . .
. Q . . . . . .
P P P . . P P P
. . K R . . . .

White to move · How would you bring the rook into the attack?

1. Where is the black king?

2. Write a move and explain what you want to achieve.

3. After watching the continuation, mark the rook’s final square on the diagram and draw an arrow from the bishop protecting it.

4. Why can the king not capture the rook on d8?

World Chess Hall of Fame · Paul Morphy: https://worldchesshof.org/inductee/paul-morphy/
https://rookhabit.com/en/classroom/morphy