Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-05-22
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SATURDAY. MAY ~, 1883.
Tbe Great Chess Came.

The recent achievement u aaasSnf - IN
cago, in playing. blindfOlded, ten games of
chess at the same time. against the best play
ers in the city. without being beaten in sim
gle game, is the most remarkable mental eff.
fort of the kind, probably, upon record
Those who are not acquainted with the game,
and do not understand the infinite combine
tons and complications resulting from the
vsriety of pieces, and their different moves
and powers, to which it is subject, can form
no adequate idea Of the difficulty of playing
even a single game in this way. Every
move must be remembered and the exact po-
sition of every piece on the board must be in
the mind of the player, through the whole
game, to enable him to calculate his own
moves and to detet and thwsrt the plans 81
his adversary. But, when, instead of one
game, ten are going on simultaneously, the
state of each Of which is to be kept through
out, without any confusion Of one with the
other, it requires a mental power, of which we
confess that we have no conception. The
following letter on the subject, from the cor
respondent Of the Boston Journal will inter-
est those, at least, who are familiar with the
game IA, -. XXI stt4.f
CHICAGO, May Is, lS5s.-The most stupen-
dous achievement in chess which the world
ever saw has just been successfully performed
in this city, and Louis Paulsen now stands
peerless. On Monday evening last he com
menced plsying bhndfolded ten simultaneous
games against all Chicago. HIS opponents
were carefully selected from among the most
skillful players of the Chess Club, who used
every exerlion to checkmate their gallant an
tagonist. nefhH 1F saa e-l f.as3
Mr.. Paulsen sat apart from every one on
the stage Of Light Guard Hall. with his back
to the ten boards. Two gentlemen of this city
acted as teers, and circulated among the
players, calling aloud each move made on the
different tables, which were designated by
their respective numbers from one to ten. Mr..
Paulsen would reflect few moments, and
then, without apparent effort, announce his
own move in return. His attitude and bear
ing were like those of a person in q trance,
his head thrown slightly, forward, his eyes
closed, his figure motlonless, and nothing to
indicate life save an occasional working of the
face when akillful step was taken by an ad-
versary, or a sudden coup de bataills contsm-
plated by himself. The progress was of course
slow. AT the close of the 6rst evening, how
ever, enough of his surprising ability was
displayed TO make even the most experienced
Of his opponents feel nervous, and induce
them to use every tactic to out-manevre him
During the second evening his advantage over
several was clearly to be seen. The spectators
became much excited, but the sympathies OF
those who had no friends playing we're plain
ly given to that single, silent man. thus pitted
against host of foes.
Mr.. Psulsen could at any time recapitulate
the precise position of each piece upon every
board, and when an occasional difference
arose concerning some disarrangement which
he detected. his assertions in all cases proved
correct, while those who had their eyes open
were forced to acknowledge their error. 1t
was evident that his astonishing memory and
concentration enabled him to recall at will
each move made from the first upon either
board, and thus bring it as clearly to his
minds eye as if it were bodily before him.
The third evening was expected to finish this
unprecedented feat. The audience was on
tip-toe with excitement, and every one seemed
uncontrollably worked up except he upon
whom all interest centred The self commsn nd
exercised appeared miraculous, and none
would have suspected what an intense, pow
erful stretch must be upon that singular
DEdLus Oh11tJ DC bhtf dS II CdSllllR 6Om6
problem in simple interest rather than per-
forming a labor of herculean magnitude.
Throughout he was subjected to one un.
fairness, which, however, serves now only to
heighten his glory. Not alone did he play
against ten opponents, but ffty-as by
strange license few of the audience were al.
lowed to mingle with the players, and at each
table two or three deeply versed in chess
seated themselves to advise those whom Mr..
Psulsen's brilliant attacks had discounted.
He thus battled with the combined strength
of the entire city opposing him. Every play.
er, too, expected him to make the assault,
while their chief effort was to fortify position
SO as to be impregnable.
At eleven P. M, game nine resigned. In
fifteen minutes game five did likewise, and
game two was drawn at its players request.
Mr.. Pauisen then made some dashing, spIen-
did attacks upon the rest, and might doubt
less, have finished them there, but the mid
night hour interrupted. He agreed to con-
tinue, but all thought it best to adjourn, and
give those who wished an opportunity to play
out at the Club room on the next evening.
Mr.. Paulsen rose briskly when this decis-
ion was announced, seemingly not jaded in
the least. He is rather an ordinary looking
man, with decidedly German cast OF fea-
lures, and nothing but a singularly broad
head to indicate uncommon powers. The
games were finally finished last evening-Mr.
Paulsen beating five of the remaining seven,
and consenting to draw the other two, though
he might have won even them, as their play
ers were losing GOODNESS. Ten games blind.
folded is without parallel. Mr.. Morphy
never attempted but seven, and this is out
done. The whole city is filled with wonder.
The victor is decidedly lion of considerable
altitude, and his achievement cannot proba-
bly, be sxcelled under equally trying cireum-
stances. M s fI1s