The following game was played in the semi-finals of the first championship tournament between H. Helms of Brooklyn and M. Lissner, the Manhattan problem composer, the notes being from the Illustrated London News.
1.d4
d5
2.e3
e6
3.Bd3
Nf6
4.Nd2
Be7
5.f4
This is known as the stonewall variation of the Queen's pawn game. The intention is to form a strong center, following up with Nf3 and Ne5. Black can only succeed if he forcibly attacks and breaks up this center of pawns by ...c5, etc.
5...b6
6.Qf3
c5
7.c3
cxd4
8.exd4
0-0
9.Ne2
Ba6
The object of developing by ...b6 is to play ...Bb7. It is useful both for attack and defense, and the exchange weakens Black's queenside too much.
10.Bc2
Bxe2
11.Qxe2
Nc6
12.Nf3
Qc7
13.Ne5
g6
14.0-0
Nh5
15.Nxc6
Qxc6
16.f5
A very forcible move. If either pawn captures, Black loses a piece.
16...Rfe8
17.g4
Nf6
18.fxg6
fxg6
19.Ba4
Very clever. Black is almost compelled to take, and then follows the pretty attack on the King's position, which soon settles matters.
19...Qxa4
20.Qxe6+
Kh8
21.Bg5
Rad8
22.Rae1
Nxg4
23.Bxe7
Qd7
24.Qf7
It is merely a matter of a few moves before the climax must come. If Black now plays 24...Rc8, then follows: [ 24.Qf7
Rc8
25.Re6
Rc7
26.h3
h6
He cannot play 26...Rxe7, because of the mate at f8. 27.Rfe1
and now it's all over with Black. Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Jan. 21, 1900--the column offers no date for this game, but Avery in CC in America, p.12, col. 1, says the first Grand National ended in 1897, won by J.H. Bellows of Toledo, Ohio.] 1-0