Master games

You sit in the master's chair

Every game here is verified move by move and chosen because it demonstrates a concept in the curriculum. You see the critical position and decide before the historical move appears.

Featured study

Players: Paul Morphy — Duke Karl of Brunswick & Count Isouard (consultation)
Year: 1858
Event: Paris, the Opera Game
Opening: Philidor Defence (C41)

Can you find the master move?

Morphy spends the whole game on strategy — fast development and control of the open d-file — and then switches to pure calculation the moment the black king is trapped. It is the clearest historical example of the lesson.

Critical position — after 15...Nxd7White to move

Axiora Chess Coach

White to move. What would you play?

Level 4 · Complex calculation

Study library

Only games that are written into the curriculum appear here. Search matches the players, year, event, opening, or lesson already on the card.

SearchOpening

1858 · Paris Opera

Paul Morphy — Duke of Brunswick & Count Isouard

Philidor Defense

Critical positionWhite to move

Mechanism: Open lines + lag in development + king in center.
Why the defence failed: Black hunted material instead of evacuating the king and contesting open lines.
Modern lesson: If you are behind in development, do not open the center; if you are ahead, open it.

Study in Tactical Vision & Calculation Foundation →

From lesson: King Safety & Open Lines

1851 · London

Adolf Anderssen — Lionel Kieseritzky

King's Gambit

Critical positionWhite to move

Mechanism: Forcing checks and multi-piece coordination against an exposed king.
Why the defence failed: Black prioritized material over king evacuation and coordination.
Modern lesson: Use Immortal Game ideas for attacking motifs — do not copy speculative sacrifices without calculation.

Study in Tactical Vision & Calculation Foundation →

From lesson: Forks

1889 · Amsterdam

Emanuel Lasker — Johann Bauer

Bird's Opening

Critical positionWhite to move

Mechanism: Remove pawn cover, then use pins and mating nets on open lines.
Why the defence failed: Black could not contest the opened diagonals in time.
Modern lesson: Use Lasker–Bauer to study attacking geometry — verify the concrete line before sacrificing in your games.

Study in Tactical Vision & Calculation Foundation →

From lesson: Pins & Skewers