Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast is on to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you would like to get an email once a week with upcoming sleep stories and other news, subscribe to the snooze letter at snoozecast.com. This episode is brought to you by The Scholar's Mate. Tonight, we'll read the opening to the exploits and detriams in Europe of Paul Morphy, the chess champion. It was published in 1859 and written by Frederick Mills Edge, who was Morphy's secretary. Paul Morphy, born in New Orleans in 1837, was considered the greatest chess player of his era. He was a child prodigy who learned to play chess simply by watching family members play. When he was only nine years old, he was hailed as the best chess player in his city. This book describes Morphe's trip to Europe in 1858. After his triumphs in Europe, he was considered the unofficial world chess champion. official championship tournaments were only held starting in 1886 almost 30 years later. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few deep breaths. CHAPTER 1 Morphe's First Games Paul Morphe's father, Judge Morphe, of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, beguiled his leisure hours with the fascinations of chess, and finding a percusious aptitude for the game in his son, he taught him the moves and the value of the various pieces in the language of somebody. To teach the young Paul chess, his leisure-heat employ. Until at last, the old man was beaten by the boy. I have here spoiled a very pretty story. The report in chess circles is that the young Paul learned the moves from seeing his father play with his uncle, Mr. Ernest Morphe, long ranking amongst the first players in the union, and one of the brightest living ornaments of American chess. One evening, so runs the tale, this gentleman awaited the arrival of the judge, when Master Paul impudently offered to be his antagonist. What was the uncle's astonishment at finding the stripling a match for his deepest combinations? And what the father's surprise on discovering a very filidor in his son of ten years, they should hell became a first-rate player in three days at the age of something like 30. Nobody ever believed the statement, not even De Chappelle himself, although his biographer declares he had told the lie so often that he at last forgot the facts of the case. But the story about Morphe beats the day-shapel story in the proportion of 30 to 10. I sorrowfully confess that my hero's unromantic regard for truth makes him characterize the above statement as a humbug and an impossibility. Paul's genius for chess was very properly not permitted to interfere with his educational pursuits. At college in South Carolina, until 18 years of age, he had but little time for indulgence in his favorite game. Nor did he find anyone capable of contending with him. When the vacations allowed of his playing against such adips as his father and uncle, or such well-known paladins as Mr. Ernest Russo of New Orleans and Judge Meek of Alabama, He soon showed himself superior to all antagonists.

In the autumn of 1849, Hare Lohanthal, the celebrated Hungarian player, visited the crescent city and out of three games against the young Paul, then, but twelve years old, he lost two and drew one. It is but reasonable to suppose that the desire of atoning for this defeat had something to do with hair-lowen balls, challenging his youthful victor on his arrival last year in Europe. Chapter 2. The First American Chess Congress. A circular was issued by the New York Chess Club in the month of April 1857.

For the purpose of ascertaining the feasibility and propriety of a general assemblage of the Chess players resident in America, this met with a hearty and zealous response from the amateurs and clubs of the United States. So favorable was the feeling everywhere manifested that it was deemed advisable to proceed with the undertaking and to complete at once the preliminary arrangements.

In consideration of the movement having been initiated by the New York Chess Club, it was conceded that the meeting should take place in that city. Some of the founders of the New York Chess Club still live to do honor to the game. I believe that Mr. James Thompson and Colonel Mead suckled the bandtling in times of your, sometimes forming the entire of the club without assistance. In that day of small things, I believe too they defeated the Norfolk Club, proving themselves just too, too many for their opponents. Then they traveled about from house to house as their members increased, with the arrival of Mr. Charles H. Stanley, Mr. Frederick Perrin, and others. About 1855 or 1856, the club made the acquisition of two enterprising young players, Mr. Theodore Lichtenstein and Mr. Daniel W. Fisk. into the latter gentleman is do the credit of first suggesting this chess Congress, which made known to fame the genius of Paul Murphy. In the summer of 1857, being then engaged on the New York Herald, I used occasionally to tumble into the basement of an edifice opposite the newspaper office, where a jolly, fat German, with a never-to-be-remembered name, regaled his visitors upon sausages and logger. the members of the chess club were wont to congregate.

For the landlord had provided chessmen and boards as inducement to visitors. One afternoon, being engaged in a game with a brother reporter, a gentleman whom I subsequently learned was Mr. Theodore Lichtenthine stepped up to us and put into our hands the prospectus of the approaching chess congress stating his opinion that an event of so much importance merited newspaper publicity. So began my acquaintance with American chess amateurs. Although possessing but little skill as a player, I had a strong liking for the game and determined that everything in my power should be done to render the meeting successful. My visits to the saloon and eventually to the club became frequent in the Committee of Management finding that I both could and would work did me the honor of appointing me one of the secretaries. The Congress was advertised to open on the 6th of October, but players began to arrive some weeks previously. First of all, came Judge Meek of Alabama, a truly imposing specimen of a man. Then after him followed Mr. Lewis Paulson from Dubuque, Iowa, whose astonishing blindfolded feats out west, were the theme of general talk, an almost total disbelief amongst Eastern players. From Judge Meek, we first heard of Paul Morphy's wondrous strength. He told the New York Club that if the youthful Louisianaan interdeternement, he would infallibly rest the palm of victory from all competition. We were much afraid. Nevertheless, that Mr. Morphe would be unable to quit his legal studies for the purpose of attending the Congress.

But when Mr. Fisk announced the receipt of a telegraphic dispatch, which stated that he was on route, everybody hailed the news with satisfaction. Mr. Paulson now came to the support of Judge Meek, and declared that Paul Morphe would carry off the first prize in the tournament, giving us the grounds of his opinion some two or three published games of the young Louisiana,

which he considered worthy to rank with the finest masterpieces of chess strategy. Fate brought the young hero safely to New York, some two days before the assembling Congress.

Who that was present that evening does not remember Paul Morphe's first appearance at the New York chess club. The secretary, Mr. Frederick Paren, valorously offered to be his first antagonist and presented about the same resistance as a mosquito to an avalanche. Then who should enter the room, the warrior, Stanley, Tomahawk in one hand, loud cries were made for Stanley, Stanley, and Mr. Parent resigned his seat to the newcomer, in deference to so general a request. commenced a contest, or rather a succession of contests in which Mr. Stanley was indeed astonished. Mate followed upon mate until he arose from his chair in bewildered defeat. The following day, the assembled delegates and amateurs from the various clubs organized the Congress by the election of a president in the person of Judge Meek with Mr. Fisk as Secretary for assistant secretaries, marshals, treasurer, etc. All these matters of detail, as well as the games played, the laws passed, etc. will eventually appear in the long-looked-for book of the Congress, forthcoming with the completion of the British Museum catalog.

In the absence of the Book of Congress, I must give a slight sketch of its proceedings in order to trace the career of Paul Morphe Abinito. After taking possession of the magnificent hall, which the New York Committee of Management had chosen for the meeting, the 16 contestants in the Grand Tournament proceeded to pair themselves off by law. It is obvious that however apparently equal in strength two opponents may be one will prove stronger than the other. This is an axiom requiring no proof. Out of 16, one is better than the rest, and one out of the remaining 15 is stronger than the 14 others. The latter player may be drawn in the first round of the tournament with the former, and though he stands incomparably the superior of all but one, he loses every chance of a prize by being put immediately into combat. Amongst the sixteen players who entered the lists, two were unmistakably the strongest, namely Morphe and Paulson, and much fear was manifested, fested, lest they might be drawn together in the first round. Such, however, was not the case. Mr. Paulson was coupled with Mr. Dennis Julian, the well-known problem maker, and a gentleman whose hospitality to Chuss players scarcely requires praise from me. Mr. Julian had allowed his name to be entered in the grand tournament in the absence of the representative of Connecticut, Mr. Calthrop. But the latter player arriving shortly after, Mr. Julian was but too happy to resign in his favor. Mr. Morphe's antagonist was Mr. James Thompson of New York, a gentleman who finished his chess education at London, noted for the brilliancy and daring of his attack and his pernacity in playing the Evans Gambit wherever he has a chance. If Mr. Thompson had not been pitted against such a terrible opponent in the first round, he would have tested the power of some of the other players. Mr. Morphe's second opponent was Judge Meek. As they took their seats opposite each other, one thought of David and Goliath. that the judge gas-conannaded in any wise after the fashion of the tall Philistine. For modesty adorns all his actions, but there was as much difference in cubic contents between the two antagonists, as between the son of Jesse and the bully of Gath, and in both cases, the little one came out biggest. Judge Meek sat down with an evident conviction of the result, and although he assured his youthful opponent that if he continued mating him without ever allowing him the least chance, he would put him in his pocket, he and sold himself with the reflection that Paul Morphe would serve everybody else as he

served him. Hither too, our hero had won every game. In the third round, he encountered the strongest player of the New York Club, Minister The Theodore Lichtenstein, an admirable exponent of the Berlin School of Play. Mr. Lichtenstein eventually carried off the third prize in the tournament. And although he did not win any game from Mr. Morphy, he succeeded in affecting a draw, which against such a terrible enemy is almost worthy of being esteemed a victory. Mr. Paulson had also been successful in the first and second rounds without losing or drawing a single game. And as if to keep even with his great rival, he too had made a draw in the third section of the tournament with Dr. Raphael of Kentucky. Now was to be decided the championship of the new world and notwithstanding that the majority anticipated the result. Yet many of the spectators thought that the Western Knight might prove a hard nut for Morphe to crack. Mr. Paulson's game is steady and analytical to a nicety. his operations. On profound acquaintance, he makes as much out of his pawns as most others of their pieces. I once heard Morphe say, Mr. Paulson never makes an oversight. I sometimes do.

It is only justice to Mr. Paulson to state

that he never for one moment imagined that he would be Mr. Morphe.

So exalted was his appreciation of the latter's wondrous powers of combination, that he has been frequently heard to declare, if Anderson and Stanton were here, they would stand no chance with Paul Morphe. And when, after the termination of the Congress, Mr. Morphe offered, pawn and move to all and every player in America, Mr. Paulson declared that he could easily give those odds to him.

But this invariable confession of inferiority did not at all interfere with his doing the utmost to become victor. Although supremacy was only to be decided by one player scoring five games. If I recollect rightly, it was in the third game that Mr. Morphe committed an error, which spoiled one of the finest combinations I've ever seen on a chess board. This combination consisted of some 18 or 20 moves and its starting point was one of those daring sacrifices, which European players dignify with the title, Allah Morphe. Certain of the inevitable result, our hero played rapidly and misplaced a move. The result was loss of attack and a peace, and apparently of the game. The most ardent admirer of Paul Morphe believed it was impossible for him to avoid defeat. But though angry with himself for his carelessness, he was not disheartened but set to work with courage and affected a draw. The latter part of this game is a masterpiece of perseverance and strategy. The result of the tournament is well known. Mr. Morphe won five games, drew one and lost one in the concluding section, only one battle lost during the entire campaign. The annals of chess do not furnish a similar victory.

Chapter 3. Morphi prepares to start for Europe. Arriving in Europe, three months before Mr. Morphe, I was in some sort, not for many consent or knowledge on his part, his avid career, and the fact of my having been one of the secretaries at the New York Chess Congress joined to my acquaintance with him. Afforded me the opportunity of conversing frequently with prominent English players in reference to this new meteor in the chess firmament. Shortly after my arrival in London I called upon the Secretary of the St. George's chess club, Thomas Hampton Esquire, and introduced myself to him. chess is a bond of brotherhood amongst all lovers of the noble game as perfect as free re-masonry. It is a leveler of rank, title, wealth, nationality, politics, religion, all are forgotten across the board. chess player recognizes this, and none more so than Mr. Hampton, who gave me the war mist of welcomes. He told me that every Saturday there was a full attendance of members and kindly invited me to visit the club, promising to introduce me to Mr. Staunton. I was but too happy to accept this invitation. In desirous of learning how far the prowess of Paul Morphe was appreciated by one so eminent in the Chasworld. My acquaintance with the young American was a passport of general interest to all present on the following Saturday. In addition to Mr. Staunton, I met their hair-falk beer, barns, bird, altar, and other luminaries, and many were the questions asked in reference to Mr. Morphe. But I am bound to say that the feeling with which he was regarded in the United States was not participated in by English players. I was told by one gentleman, Mr. Morphe's games are very pretty, but they will not bear the test of analysis. Another said, and his opinion was was universally endorsed. It is quite possible that Mr. Morphe may arrive at the highest rank, nay, even that he may become the best, but he cannot have the strength his admiring countrymen wish to believe. Chess requires many long years of attentive study and frequent play with the best players, and neither of these your friend has had. Andend upon it he will find European amateurs very different opponents from those he has hitherto encountered. This rather netalled me, but it was reasonable and just. Anyone possessing the slightest acquaintance with the game knows that it partakes more of hard labor laborious application to arrive at first-rate skill than of mere pastime. Very few of Morphe's games had been seen in Europe, and his opponents were not certainly of a cluster rank rank with the Stantans, low-inthalls, and andersens of the Old World. Was it reasonable to suppose that a youth just out of his teens who had devoted but little time to chess, and who was about to meet first rate players for the first time should possess the experience and lore of men double his age. the time, now that he has unmistakably proved himself the superior of all living players, I feel utterly at a loss to solve the problem of his skill. At college, until 18 years old, what time could he find there, except out of school hours for the required practice and what antagonists were worthy of him. From 18 to 20 he was engaged in reading for the bar. During that period he was as frequent a visitor at the chess club as circumstances would permit. but certainly not sufficiently so to increase his strength. Who were his antagonists? His father had almost entirely abandoned chess. Mr. Ernest Morvey had settled in the West, and Mr. Russo absorbed in the sturner duties of life, held the same relation to the game as Mr. Lewis in England, to one and all of his opponents, except these gentlemen he could give the rock, and playing at odds is somewhat different from contending with even players. He met strong players for the first time at New York, Paulson, Lichtenstein, Thompson, Montgomery, We're all Northern players, a new to him, and vastly superior to the antagonists he had previously encountered. There is but one way to account for his annihilation of all precedent. His skill is intuitive. And I doubt much whether his memory has been of assistance to him. In answer to a gentleman in Paris, as to whether he had not studied many works on chess. I heard him state that no author had been much value to him and that he was astonished at finding various positions and solutions given as novel. Certain moves producing certain results etc. For that he had made the same deductions himself as necessary consequences in like manner, Newton demonstrated in his own mind. Morphe's achievements at the Congress in New York induced many to believe that America now possessed the champion capable of contending with the proficience of Europe. And it was proposed that he should be backed by the American Chess Association against any player who would take up the challenge. I'm sorry to say that the action of certain prominent men prevented the gauntlet being thrown down. These gentlemen said he beats us because he is better versed in the openings, but such players as low and dull and harwhits will be too strong for him. He wants experience and we're we to make this national challenge. should appear ridiculous when our champion is defeated, which he certainly would be. The proposal, however, got noise to broad, and the following paragraph appeared in consequence in the illustrated London news. The American Chas Association, it is reported, are about to challenge any player in Europe to contest a match with the young victor and the late passage at arms. Four from 2000 to 5,000 aside, the place of meeting being New York. If the battleground were to be London or Paris, there can be little doubt we apprehend that a European champion would be found. but the best players in Europe are not just professionals,

but have others and more serious avocations, the interests of which forbade such an expenditure of time as is required for a voyage to the United States and back again. I would say, my way of parentheses, that such a being as a professional chess player does not exist in the United States, Paulson is a tobacco broker with tendencies to speculating in corner lots. Western men know what that means. Lichtenstein deals in dry goods, dry wines, and Italian opera. Thompson is the proprietor of a magnificent restaurant. Colonel Meade devotes himself to democratic caballs at the New York Hotel. Fisk is a mixture of the Chess Monthly, the A Astor library, and Scandinavian literature.

Perrin is bothered daily with banks, bears, and bulls.

Chess professionals indeed.

They do not grow in the United States.