The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-08 00:00:00

"eir CHESS MATCH.

Yester.l. - natch of a somewhat extraordinary
nature, which, for a considerable time past, has been
a subject of much discussion in the chess-playing
world, took place in the large room of the wtll-
- cigar divan in the Strand. Mr. L. Paulson,
a native of Germany, who haq passed the last eight.
years of his life in America, and brought withlinii
to this country a great reputation as a chess-player,
had publicly offered to play, blindfol4ed, 10 games
against 10 gentlemen simultaneously. He had also
announced that, being anxious to contend against
the strongest players, he would challenge any one
in England to try his skill against him, either for
honour or wager. This challenge was responded to
by many more than the prescribed number of anta-
gonists ; but, eventually, it was arranged that the
following should be pitted against the intrepid
Saxon:—

1. Mr. Mackenzie, amateur
2. Mr. Sabouroff, secretary of the Russian Embassy
3. Mr. Maude member of the London Chess Club
4.111 x. Howard, member of the St. James's Club
5. Mr. Barnes, member of the St. George's Club

6. Mr. Burden, amateur
7. Mr. Campbell, amateur
8. Mr. Robey, amateur
9. Mr. Lamb, amateur
10. Mr. Wormald, hon. sec, of the St. James's Club.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, the hour fixed
for opening the campaign, a large assemblage of
visitors had collected in the room, including many
eminent chess-players and lovers of the art, and
several ladies. The tables for the chess-boards
extended along the whole length of the room, the
number of each being indicated by• conspicuous
figures, for the information and guidance of the
company. As soon as the ten players had taken
their places, Mr. Paulson ascended a table at the
side of the room amidst encouraging cheers, and
seated himself upon a chair with his back towards
the chess-boards, which he could by no possibility
see. He is a young man of fair complexion, 22 years
of age, though looking older, tall and slimly built,
with an unusually high, broad, and handsome fore-
head. He first distinguished himself as an adept at
chess in 1857, when he entered the lists at New
York against the celebrated Morphy. On a subse-
quent occasion, while blindfolded, he played simul-
taneously as many as 15 games, and won the great
majority of them. Yesterday he had fewer oppo-
nents arrayed against him, but among them were
some amateurs of great reputation, whom the most
practised in the amusement might be proud of van-
quishing, even if in the operation he had the full
aid of his vision. Soon after two o'clock Mr. Paul-
son began the contest by requesting each of his
antagonists to make the same move, " Kings Pawn
2." No. 1 first replied, and the rest having in their
regular order also done so according to their own
theories or notions of the game, the battle-proceeded
very smartly for a considerable time, Mr. Paulson
seldom taking long to deliberate upon the line of
tactics he should adopt. Mr. Kling, the composer
of chess problems, undertook to announce to him the
moves as they were made upon the different boards,
a duty in which he was assisted by Mr. Mayan,
son of the eminent photographer. Mr. Paul-
son's marvellous powers of memory soon became
apparent, for although the play in some instances
was extremely complicated, and each game varied
from the other, his recollection never seemed to fail
him. Between five and six o'clock he made a mis-
taken move in game No. 7, in which he was opposed
to Mr. Campbell, a very expert and successful
amateur, and he resigned that game. At ten, M.
Sabouroff, his Russian adversary, whose skill he
had rather underrated, achieved a victory. About
this period he went very cautiously to work, once
taking as long as half an hour to deliberate upon a
move •, but then each of his enemies had ample
time for consideration during the interval which
elapsed before his turn to play came round. The
blindfolded champion was also placed at another
and a rather unfair disadvantage, every one ofthose
against whom he was contending being surrounded
by a knot of persons discussing the appearance of
the board and the various ways in which Mr. Paul-
son could be defeated. At half-past ten Mr. Mac-
kenzie saw he had no chance, and resigned, a result
which was the signal for a loud burst of applause.
Up to this stage the play continued without inter-
mission, but although the room became more
crowded and the atmosphere extremely oppressive,
Mr. Paulson refused any refreshment beyond a
glass of lemonade. Again the game was renewed,
the chances on both sides remaining nearly even,
and the play being throughout splendid. At 20
minutes to one Mr. Robey (No. 8) offered "to draw,"
a proposition which was accepted by Mr. Paulson,
who, however, had the best position on the board.
Almost immediately afterwards Mr. Barnes (No.
5) made a similar offer, which was also acceded to.
At one Mr. Lamb (No. 9) followed Mr. Barnes's
example, and Mr. Paulson also accepted this pro•
posal. This left four games yet to be played, Mr.
Paulson having lost two and gained one. Another
half hour elapsed, during which intense interest
in the playing was evinced by the now diminished
body of spectators who remained ; and another an-
tagonist offered a " draw," which was once again
accepted. The game now became " fast and furious,"
and at ten minutes to two Mr. Wormald (No. 10)
suggested a " draw," but the undaunted knight of
the tournament boldly declined to let him escape
in that way with all the honours of war, and was
warmly greeted for this mark of his boldness and
pluck. At two Mr. Wormald saw his case was en-
tirely hopeless, and gave in, greatly to the delight
,of Mr. Paulson's supporters. Mr. Howard (No. 4)
resolved to " draw,' if he were allowed to do so,
and after a little consideration Mr. Paulson accepted
his terms. Consequently there only remained one
game to be played, and as both sides were now even
the excitement of the evening, it may be readily
imagided, reached its climax. Mr. Paulson and
Mr. Burden (No. 6) only kept possession of the
field, and their skill and chances for a long time
appeared to be very equally balanced. At length,
at 20 minutes past two this morning, Mr. Burden
made a happy move, and was declared victor, the
game having lasted continuously and without break
for more than 12 hours.

Notwithstanding the extraordinary mental effort
on the part of Mr. Paulson during this long spell,
he did not appear much exhausted ; and although he
had lost by this one game he was applauded as
energetically as if he had been entirely successful.
During the contest Mr. Buckle, the author of
" The History of Civilisation," who, among his
other qualifications, is a good chess-player ; Mr.
Lowenthal, a popular chess lecturer ; and many
other celebrities, were in the room, and took great
interest in the game.
The arrangements for the match by Mr. Ries, the
proprietor of the divan, gave satisfaction to the
numerous company present.

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