Marshall vs Burn, 1900
Backstory with Player Introduction
Frank Marshall (1877–1944) was an American chess prodigy who became the U.S. Champion in 1909 and was known for his aggressive, tactical style. He often sought complications on the board, making him a dangerous opponent in any tournament. Marshall contributed many opening ideas that bear his name today, particularly the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez.
Amos Burn, on the other hand, represented the complete opposite style.
Burn was born on New Year’s Eve, 1848, in Hull, England. As a teenager, he moved to Liverpool, where he was apprenticed to a firm of shipowners and merchants. Remarkably, he learned chess only at the relatively late age of sixteen, yet his natural positional understanding quickly set him apart. Later, Burn studied under Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official World Chess Champion, and like his teacher, he became known for his calm, logical, and defensive mastery over the board.
Aron Nimzowitsch, in his classic The Praxis of My System, even named Burn as one of the six greatest defensive players in history, placing him alongside the most precise and resourceful defenders the chess world has ever seen. His positional approach often frustrated tactical attackers — a perfect stylistic clash when facing Marshall’s fiery, uncompromising play.
Game Analysis
Opening
Marshall begins with the Queen’s Gambit Declined, a solid and classical choice. Burn, true to his defensive style, maintains symmetry and avoids early complications. However, Marshall soon decides to disturb the peace with a sharp attacking idea Bxf6 followed by h4 h5.This move signals the start of Marshall’s characteristic aggression turning a slow positional line into a dangerous kingside storm
If we notice then we can see marshal is developing his piece taking control at the center and after black castle he begins his pawn push to launch his attack.
Middlegame
Marshall keeps increasing the tension. His h-pawn thrust opens lines against Burn’s castled king, and the sacrifice on g6 rips open the defense completely.
Burn, meanwhile he is distracted literally lighting his pipe while his king’s position burns on the board. Marshall’s knights and queen coordinate perfectly, with Ng5 and Qh7# looming as unstoppable threats.
Endgame
A beautiful mate in two, elegant and poetic. Burn’s position collapses under the swift tactical hammer of Rh8+ followed by Qh7#. Marshall later joked that Burn “would have defended better if he had just managed to light his pipe.”
It’s a brilliant example of how Marshall thrived in chaos — turning a quiet opening into a spectacular attacking masterpiece.
Verdict
This game is a perfect miniature showing Marshall’s attacking genius and sense of humor. It demonstrates how a player’s temperament often reflects in their play — Burn’s slowness and Marshall’s speed became metaphors for their chess styles.
From calm openings to a fiery conclusion, the game remains a timeless example of seizing the initiative, mixing psychology with strategy, and proving that sometimes, chess is as human as a match that goes out too soon.
References
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1000105
https://www.chess.co
m/article/view/marshall-burns-burn
