In this remarkable game, La Bourdonnais established a formidable and agile pawn formation, reminiscent of his predecessor François-André Danican Philidor. Philidor, known for his profound understanding of chess, famously stated that pawns were “the soul of chess.” La Bourdonnais’ strategic approach echoed this sentiment as he crafted a potent and dynamic pawn center.
Although McDonnell had the advantage of making the first move, he was actually playing with the black pieces. Therefore, in accordance with contemporary conventions concerning the designation of White and Black, McDonnell is portrayed here as playing with the White pieces.