In this mating pattern White uses a rook on the back rank, supported by a bishop which also cuts off the escape route of the enemy king. An enemy pawn or piece, other than a knight, occupies the other possible flight square.
See Diagram: Opera Mate theme
Opera Mate in Action
The opera mate is named after a famous game played by Paul Morphy against royal opposition at the Paris Opera during 1858.The game is presented below.
[Event
"Paris,1858"]
[White
"Morphy, Paul."]
[Black
"Duke Karl Count Isouard"]
[Result
"1-0"]
[ECO
"C41"]
["Philidor
Defence"]
1.
e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 Bg4
4. dxe5 Bxf3
5. Qxf3 dxe5
6.
Bc4 Nf6
7. Qb3 Qe7
8. Nc3
(8.
Qxb7 Qb4+ 9. Qxb4 Bxb4+
10. Bd2 Bxd2+ 11.Nxd2
Nbd7 12. f3 Rb8
13. O-O-O Ke7 is also clearly better for White)
8...
c6 9. Bg5 b5
10. Nxb5 cxb5 11.
Bxb5+ Nbd7
12. O-O-O Rd8 13. Rxd7 !
{Annihilates a defender: d7}
13...
Rxd7
{A pinning theme} (13... Nxd7 14. Bxe7 {Exploits the pin})
14. Rd1 Qe6 (See Diagram)
Position after Blacks 14th Move
(14...
Kd8 {a
fruitless try to alter the course of the game} 15. Rxd7+ Qxd7 16. Bxd7 Kxd7
17. f4 is winning for White.)
15.
Bxd7+ Nxd7
(15...
Qxd7 16. Qb8+ Ke7
17. Qxe5+ Kd8 18. Bxf6+ gxf6
19. Qxf6+ Kc8 20. Rxd7
Kxd7 21. Qxh8 Bd6 with a
winning position for white.)
16.
Qb8+ !! {this sacrifice makes
everything clear}
16... Nxb8 17. Rd8# (See Diagram)
The
Final Position. ''Opera
Mate''
Executed!!
1-0
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