Paul Morphy

“ The American Chess players regarded him as invincible. They challenged the world to produce his equal, and backed their defiance by money worthy in amount to accompany the transfer of the Chess Crown.
It was clearly time for Europe to revise its notions of American chess play: but Europe did this rather slowly. The old world clung to its traditional prestige, and in most quarters the idea of the sceptre being wrested from its veterans by so young a hand was freely ridiculed. That Paul Morphy was a good player there was no attempt to deny. ”

“ Curiosity is a constant element in the action of the human mind. The public scrutinizes a man brought prominently before them, as a dealer or buyer does the manufactured goods. When any individual becomes great in any department of life, those who walk in the same path want to know something more of him than relates to their common pursuit—that they are generally already aware of—that it is which has called their attention to him, and stimulated their curiosity. ”

“ If to the renown he has achieved as a Chess player, he can add the future reputation of a great lawyer, he will supply one of the most curious and suggestive illustrations of the exceptional versatility of genius that humanity has produced. We have faith that a career of more than national usefulness is open to Paul Morphy. ”

“ If, in the composition of that Memoir, we were to confine ourselves simply to the Chess life of Paul Morphy, the record might be a very brief one—almost as brief as the celebrated "Veni, nidi, vici" of the Roman conqueror, and much to the same effect. We might write, Paul Morphy is in his 22d year, has played Chess from his childhood, and has beaten all who have ventured "to enter the lists with him." and then we might resign our pen. But in every life there is more than one element, however much that one may prevail over the rest. ”

“ The web of each human existence may be compared to a woven fabric, in which one material predominates in weft and warp, but blended threads of many hues wind in and out, checkering the prevailing uniform tint, and giving variety to the general aspect. ”

“ THE presentation to the Chess public of more than one hundred and fifty games contested by Paul Morphy, against the best players of Europe and America, would scarcely be complete, unless accompanied by a Memoir, however brief, of the young genius who has so suddenly risen up in our midst, and fairly fought his way through a host of formidable competitors to the Chess throne. ”

“ Ernest Morphy, was generally considered the Chess King of New Orleans.
In a recently published Memoir, we are told that, in 1847, when the boy had completed his first decade, the father taught him the moves, and his uncle gave him a lesson in the art of the game.
Paul was an apt pupil. In a few months he was able to contest a game with either of his relatives, and soon entered the lists against the stoutest opponents he could meet. In 1849, 1850, and 1851, Mr. Morphy achieved a series of triumphs over the strongest players of the Union ; among whom were Ernest Morphy, Stanley, and Rousseau. ”

“ They seek for the signs of character in the sense in which it has been defined by a countryman of Paul Morphy's—Emerson, who tells us character is that subtle force which impresses us with the idea of what a man is capable of, rather than leads us to think of what he has done. ”

“ What they require, is something beyond that. They ask to be told of the general, as well as the special, man. They inquire what race he has sprung from ; what his home has been ; how he has been educated ; what he is outside the arena in which he has become great. ”

“ In person, the subject of our Memoir is short and slight, with an elegant and dignified, though unpretending bearing. He has black hair, dark brilliant eyes, small delicate features, and a firmly set jaw ”

“ Into his blindfold play an error scarcely ever creeps. During the excitement of this match, the placidity and courtesy of Mr. Morphy excited as much admiration as his skill. The utmost good feeling prevailed between the combatants and their friends throughout.
This decisive victory conclusively settled Paul Morphy's position in the highest order of Chess players, and justified "Alter" in accepting the odds of pawn and move from the youthful victor. The results of this combat were still more marked. .Seven games in all were played, of which " Alter " did not score a single game. ”

“ This last qualification is the one which will be found the least frequent among men. The power of photographing a picture on the mind, not in vague, dim, shadowy outline, but in all its minute details, is extremely uncommon; and where it exists, goes far to make up what is called genius.
After the Birmingham Tournament, Paul Morphy had only one object to keep him in England. That one. was to play Mr. Staunton. The Chess public are already aware of the circumstances which prevented that match from taking place. ”

“ P K 6 * R K R K 2 Q Kt Q B x K P Q K B 4 † K Kt K 2 and white's attack seems parried * This appears to be White's best move; if R K, Black would reply B K 8, speedily developing his forces and remaining with a Pawn ahead. †This move was suggested to us by Herr Harrwitz, who concurs with us in our opinion of the goodness of Black;s 12th move, Kt Q. (b) Mr. Morphy considers this the best move here, and Mr. ”