Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-10-23

HISTORY OF CAUSE.-THE precise period of
the origin of chess is not known, but it is
undoubtedly of great antiquity. Treatises
had been written to prove that it had been
invented among the Greeks at the seige of
Troy, that it originated severaily with the
Hindoos, the Chinese, and the Egyptians. In
support of the last hypothesis some of the
ancient monuments of that people have been
cited, upon which are depicted men PLAYING
game OF some sort on board covered with
small movable figures 1t would seem.
however, that this was a game resembling
draughts or checkers, and the prevailing
opinion is that chess in its present form was
invented by Brahmins some where about the
fifth century, and FROM them introduced
among the Persians, the Saracens, the Chi
nese, and other oriental nations. In A. d.
802, we find it practiced among the Greeks of
Constantinople. 1t is popularity supposed to
have been introduced to Western Europe by
the Crusaders, but there is strong reason to
believe that it was known in the Court of
Charlemagne at much earlier period. Among
the rude chivalry of the middle ages it was a
tavorlte sport and frequently led to rough en-
counters IN strange contrast with the courtesy
which has uniformly distinguished chess con-
tests in more modern times. Thus we read
that the great King Canute and Earl Ulf were
playing together when the King insisted upon
taking back false move, which so irritated
the Earl that he overturned the chess board.
This led to a wrangle between him and the
king which ended rather tragcaly for the
poor Earl, who was decapitated by the kings
orders early the next morning. William the
Conqueror in his younger years was check
mated by the Prince of France, and was so
much irritated at his defeat that he broke the
oh II ~ -. 1. I
on.
Chess is honorably associated with the art
of printing, the first book printed with metal
types in England being a treatise on the
game. This was printed by William Caxton
in IVA. Phillip Ii. OF Spain was an enthu-
siast at the game. He assembled at his Court
all the leading players Of Europe, and those
who distinguished themselves in the conflicts
were loaded by the King with honors and
gifts. Ruy Lopez was for long time the
chess king at Phillips Court, but was destin-
ed to lay down his laurels at the feet of a
young Italian, Leonardo, of Cutri. Paolo
BOZ, another Italian, was also famous PLAYER
at Phillips Court. There Is no record of any
encounter between Boi and Leonardo, though
they must have met frequently. Of Greece,
another Italian, who hourished soon after, a
contemporary writer says: "He was at chess
bravo, who sought in all countries some
famous knight with whom he might fight and
break lance, and he found none whom he
did not overcome"
The famous Philidor, who fourished about
the middle and close of the last century, has
left behind him an unIivalled name as a chess
player. Towards the end of his life, finding
no antagonist worthy of contending against
singly, he undertook and accomplished the
extraordinary fpaf nf rla vtn
blindiolded simultaneously. This pe1for-
nance, which has ever been regarded as one
of the most wonderful exhibitions OF human
skill and memory on record has never been
nvalled until within year or two past. But
no player that ever lived excited in his day
half so much curiosity and wonder as that
famous automaton which was first exhibited
at the court of Maria Theresa in the year
1903, and which, for forty or fifty years,
amazed and perplexed the curious in all parts
of Europe and America. This was an etfigv
of Turk seated at table or box which play
ed with. and generally vanquished, all who
who were disposed to try their skill. The
solution of the mystery was very simple a
skilful player was concealed in the box, who
watched the game and moved the automaton
as became necessary; and. although the visi-
bic parts of the box and the figure were full
of cog wheels and springs, these had no use
except to delude the spectator and to hide the
concealed operator. The automaton was re-
garded as a miracle of invention, but the
greatest proof of ingenuity in its proprietor
is the fact Of his being able, for so many
years, to battle the curiosity of the crowds
who thronged to inspect so wonderful piece
of mechanism and were intent on discover
ing the mystery. II was constructed by M.
de kempilen, an Austrian courtier, who
really possessed great mechanical ingenuity,
and eontrived many machines displaying a
high inventive faculty. - Baltimore American.