You fell for a typo.

Actually the move was 27. ... R7g6, NOT  R3g6.

Note that this does not leave the queen en pris.

In my copy  of the book ( a German translation from 1852) the rook going to g6 is the one from g7.

In my mind Black  handled the opening a bit bizarre, but due to less energic play by White 11. ...f5 would be best with a position that is still playable, and maybe 11. ...Kh8 is also playable, but rather passive. 11 ... Qe7 ? was a blunder that should have lost the game.

Later White could play d4 or Bishop a4 with a clear win, but the idea of exchanging c6 for h4 was not good and after that Black has compensation. The final blunder was 29. Ne2 ?. Instead 29.Kh1 still keeps White in the game.

Incredible bad play from both sides, though Black only commited one blunder.

The centre pawns he gained were no real  compensation, but White played rather passive and unambitious, which is always the wrong thing if you are superior in power.

Greatexcaliber,

I am glad you pointed that out.27...R3g6 is a rather bad move. 27...Bg4 28. Be4 f5 would have been a more stable line but in the game the text move was played. Even in Staunton's book, "The chess Tournament" he makes no mention of error on Wyvill's part on this move.  Thanks for pointing this out.

Have you been following my commentary on hastings 1895 at all? ( I have it on my main blog blunderprone.blogspot.com ) Also if you look in the archives back in MArch-MAy I have the series on the London 1851 event. I use this blog mainly as games cache to reference since my other blog has been around for a while.

Enjoy,

George

Blunderprone, another interesting example for mobile pawn mass!

Anyway, after move 27... R3g6. Why white didn't reply with QxQh4 ? I didn't see any mate for White after that. Did I miss something?