Opera Mate

The Opera mate is a rook mating on the back rank, protected by a bishop. It is named after Paul Morphy's famous game played at the Paris Opera in 1858.

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Pieces: Rook + bishop
Level: Intermediate
Mating side: White
Also known as: morphy opera oyunu, opera game, 1858 opera oyunu

Moves

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.dxe5 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 dxe5 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Qb3 Qe7 8.Nc3 c6 9.Bg5 b5 10.Nxb5 cxb5 11.Bxb5+ Nbd7 12.O-O-O Rd8 13.Rxd7 Rxd7 14.Rd1 Qe6 15.Bxd7+ Nxd7 16.Qb8+ Nxb8 17.Rd8#

Morphy develops quickly, castles long and piles up on the d-file. With 16.Qb8+ he even sacrifices the queen; after the knight takes, 17.Rd8#: the g5 bishop guards d8 and e7, and Black's own bishop (f8) and pawn (f7) block the king.

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How to recognise Opera Mate

The rook checks on the back rank while a bishop (often from g5) protects it.
The squares next to the king are filled by its own pieces.
Rapid development and an open file are what make it possible.

How to defend

Don't leave your king in the centre; castle to safety.
Develop against an open d-file; don't let your queen waste time grabbing material.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Opera Game?

A game Paul Morphy played in 1858 in a box at the Paris Opera against the Duke of Brunswick and Count Isouard. It is a textbook example of rapid development.

Which pieces deliver the Opera mate?

The rook checks on d8 and the g5 bishop protects it.

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Similar checkmate patterns

Back-Rank Mate — In a back-rank mate the king is trapped behind its own pawns and a rook or queen mates on the last rank.
Réti's Mate — In Réti's mate the king is hemmed in by its own pieces and mated by a bishop and rook.
Légal's Mate — In Légal's mate White deliberately gives up the queen; when Black takes it, the minor pieces mate the king.

← All checkmate tactics Next: Réti's Mate →