The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-11-23

HIsroRY OF CHEss.--The precise period
Of the origin of chess is not known, but
it is undoubtedly Of great antiquity. Treas
ties had been written to prove that it had
been invented among tho Greeks at the
siege of Troy, that it originated severally
with the Hindoos, the Chinese, and the
Egyptians. In support Of the last hypoth-
csis, 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 move
able figures. It would seem, however,
that this was a game resembling draughts
or checks, and the prevailing opinion is
that chess in its present form was invented
by Brahmins somewhere about the fifth
century, and from them introduced among
the Persians, tho Saracens, the Chinese,
and other Oriental nations. In A. D., s02,
We find it in practice among the Greeks Of
Coustantinople. 1t is popularity supposed
to have been introduced to Western Europe
by the Crusaders, but there is strong reas-
on to believe it was known in the Court of
Charlemagne at much earlier period
Among the rude chvalry Of the middle
ages it was favorlte sport, and frequently
led to rough encounters in strange contrast
with the courtesy which has uniformly dis
tinguished chess contests in more modern
times. Thus We read that the great King
Canute and Earl Ulf were playing togeth-
er, when the king insisted upon taking
back false move, which so irr,tated the
Earl that he overturned the chess board
This led to wrangle between him and the
king, which ended rather tragically 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 irritatcd at his
defeat, that he broke the chess board over
his antagonists head, and so on.
Chess is honorably associated with the
art Of printing, the first book printed with
metal types in England being a treaties of
the game. This was printed by William
Caxton in l474. Philip Ii. Of Spain was
an enthusiast at the game. He assembled
at his Court all the leading players Of Eu-
selves in the conflicts were loaded with hon.
ors and gifts. Ruy Lopez was for long
time the chess king at Philips Court, but
was destined to lay down bis aurels at the
feet of young Italian, Leonardo, Of Gu
tri. Paolo Boi, another Italian, was also
a famous player at Philips Court. There
is no iecori of any encounter between Boi
and Leonardo, though they must have met
frequently. Of Greece, another Italian,
who fourished soon after, cotemporary
writer says: ale was 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 Phildor, who fiourshod n.
bout tho middle and close of the last GEN.
tury, has left behind him an unrivalled
name as chess player. Towards the end
o. his life, finding no antagonist worthy Of
contending against singly, he undertook
and accomplished the extraordinary feat of
playing three games bindfolded, simulta.
neously. This performance, which has
ever been regarded as one of the most
wonderful exhibitions of human skill and
memory on record, has never been rivalled
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 Conrt of Maria Theresa in the year
1909, and which, for forty or fifty years,
amazed and perplexed the curious in all
parts of Europe and America. This was
an effigy of Turk seated at a table or
box, which played with aud generally van
quished, all who were disposed to try thoir
skill. The solution of tho mystery was
very simple: skillIul player was conceal
cd in the box, who watched the game and
moved the automaton as became necessary;
and although tho visible 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 tho concealed
operator. The automaton was regarded 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 tho curiosity Of the crowds who
thronged to inspect SO wonderful piece Of
mechanism, and were intent on discovering
the mystery. 1t was constructed by NJ.
do Kempileu, an Austriad couriier, who
really possessed great mechanica! ingenuity,
and contriyed many machines displaying
high inventive faculty.
Baltimore American.
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