Paul Morphy: Part 1, Lecture by GM Ben Finegold

Big big thanks to Bill Wei for sponsoring this lecture for us plebs with no dollars to spare. Big thanks, the man deserves to get paid and I'm glad he's getting paid. This content is of such quality that it should absolutely continue to be produced if possible. Thank you for making it possible for the rest of us.

Even Fischer admitted that Morphy could be the better player and that we just don't know because times were so different. If Morphy would be teleported to the times of Fischer, Karparow/Karpov respectively Carlsen and therefore would have access to the same knowledge of the time he was in, that might have supercharged him. And some words about Morphys aggressive play style: Back then it was all about showmanship, you didn't just wanted to win, you wanted to do so in the most spectacular manner. It was like every game that had spectators was like a streamer today playing "for content" rather than for safe wins. As a fellow streamer once said, Morphy was a surgeon, not a butcher. And yes, because of his superior calculation skills he was able to walk the fine line between going flashy and risking too much. Remember his match against Harrwitz where he lost the first two games? He then famously announced in response to Harrwitz bragging and teasing him that from now on Harrwitz will not win a single game. And that's what happened, even with Harrwitz dictating the schedule, denying Morphy a day off when he was sick but taking himself days off to prepare something new etc. It's like Morphy had a "play for the audience mode" and a "no-BS-mode" and could switch at any time.

Didn't Bobby Fischer say in an interview that Morphy was the most talented player who ever lived? Clearly a genius

This is going to be good. Ben is a huge Morphy fan.

I love that Finegold is carrying the torch for the aesthetic principle in chess. Chess, like any pursuit, must tickle the artistic sensibility -- not just the competitive.

You can't go wrong with Morphy, one of the most interesting chess players of all time!

I've long been an advocate for Morphy being the best player to have ever lived, I am so happy to hear such a well-reputed educator such as yourself say so as well!!

I want to see a movie made of Morphy's life. He deserves to be known by more people.

What timing! I was actually binging your previous paul morphy lectures earlier today! And ive been looking into the kings gambit as well, this is great. Btw Ben, my family has noticed me watching your lectures and have nicknamed you "panda".

Murphy always chose the coolest mate. It was always with great substance and style

Oh my god, thank you so much for this lesson! I just had my FIRST EVER SMOTHERED MATE, because I remembered the pattern of this video! That's the coolest thing I've ever done in chess, thank you so much, GM Finegold!

My Top 5 of "The Greatest Chess Players of All Time": 1. Paul Morphy (because he had a PhD at a time the best players were just in elementary school of chess) 2. Magnus Carslen (because he is the best at a time where all super grandmasters useing AI and super computers solving chess) 3. Garri Kasparov (because he has remained a chess champion for over a decade, at a time when chess was already very advanced) 4. Bobby Fischer (because he beat the nation of chass at that time, UDSSR and of course he was a genius) 5. Emanuel Lasker (because he was the first 18th century chess player that played modern strategic type of chess with a deep understanding of the principles of chess. Also he was the longest period of time chess champion of the world)

I miss your live lectures with the students. Please go back to teaching at clubs. the way your style of comedy bounced off the kids was pure gold

Gonna be awesome. I'll never get tired of Morphy games.

Modern chess players have computers, books, coaches, and the Internet to develop their skills. Morphy had none of these things. In fact, I read that Morphy's parents didn't let him play chess on any day but Sunday, because chess was a gambler's game. This is why I admire Morphy so much - he was self-taught under difficult circumstances. Can Ben name any other chess masters who were completely self-taught?

NEW PAUL MORPHY LECTURE BY BEN?!? What a day to be alive I’m hype

@28:40 you show a smothered mate. I have been very fortunate in my 50 years of playing chess to have actually delivered a smothered mate twice, both in tournament play. So satisfying for this 1800 rated player.

GOoooooooooo Billlllll Wayyyy

Great content as usual. Thanks to Bill Wei for sponsoring it. Looking forward to the next episodes.

Great video. You have earned my subscription from this video. Paul Morphy and the Kings Gambit always wins my heart! Thanks for the amazing games!