Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-10-26
Chess

What is chess A game Of mind. A contest
between indi, lunl iniollccts of no mean power.
II is emincntly II rasmc of study and of thought,
that renders leisure II fertile source of mental
strength and cultivation. Before moralzing on
the subject, however it, may hc rs we'll to say
something ahcnt the origin and antiquity ot
gaur, which has been IN vain traced back Tor
some kuowlcdee of its first invention, into the
mist and darkness Of unrecorlrd ngcs. Accord.
ing to several authors. some Of whom evidently
drew upon imagination for their facts, Chess was
invented nhoul ESQ i. e.. while others contend
TINT it WINS unknown until the fifth century ol the
Christian era, The learned llydo aud Sir Will
ham Jou,~ were Of opinion that it originated in
ludjn, nnd that it is Of immense antiquity, Ono
tradition states lhnt was devised by the Minister
oi a cortaln "reat King for the purpose oi touch
ing him III the most delicate aud agreeable man.
ncr possible, that amonnrch wns powercss. unless
protected hy his sui ccts And this in fact. is Que
Of the great lessons taught by the game, which is
played With sixteen pieces on encl sidc, cde3ice'
--"nc king, On" queen, two castles or "ro"ks,
two bishop, (calied by other names in tho East,
two knlgiis, ard eight common soldiers termed
pa~na. When the king is 'chock mated. that is.
placed III such situation that l,r can nci-
thor be protected ly his subjects, nor move with
ont the liability Of capture the game is won hy his
proncnis. Of himsrlfhe possesses very little pow
or-but oriental galantty has made thequecnstho
most potential and formidable piece on the board
Throughout all time, chess has been f,yoritt
with men of mind. And why? Because it 50
far al,sorbs the lacultie, and directs them into
channel, that with proicions. the outer world and
its cares are for the timn forgotten, and each chnm
pions thinks. reasons and even dreams oi little
else than defeating his antagonist ut the cheqner-
ed board Then it is seldom, il ever. played for
money, 30 that gambling Mt chess is altogether
out OF the qucstnn. Generals and other great
commanders have ever patronized the amusement
~ the movements and combinations required for
success, bear stroug affinity 10 the strategic of
war. and indeed, may in some measure lie said to
suggest plans u military enterprise. both for
attack aud dclrucc Philosophers have resortcd
to chess. lccau>e il has tendency to strength
On the reasoning power; while Jiyines states
men, and eminent lawyers have adopted it
as an Amusement for the same reason.
Thus we have chess anecdotes OF Napoleon |, OF
Wellington, Of DR.. Franklin, with many other no
liabilities Of the present and last generations while
of the times preceding their day the personal IL
luslratons arc innumerublc OF the absorbing
power o the game Il striking incident is related
i'll the annals Of tho sixteenth century. Two no
blcs, Baron and n Duke, wore imprisoned in
Germany in the same fortress for rebellion
against their lcge lord. the Emperor. Tho Duke
was condemned to die, and the Governor Of the
fortress WAS despatched to him with the death
ro,Tam III n certain evening. lie found the
Duke engaged in game ofchcss with his friend
the Baron, and no so1uer did the victim perceive
his Tailor with Il scaled parchment in hnnd, than
he said, ''Stop, Mr. Governor. ! know you have
my sentence. But don't interrupt me now, for
am to vanquish the Baron in three
more." And 70 lac did, nnd then coolly snid, -
"Now tell me which day am 10 die" Tho
Governor read the fatal document and reported
the scene and dialogue Ia the Emperor, who was
80 affected with the presence Of mind displayed,
that he pardoucd both Duke and Baron, who there
after rahkcl among the most loyal Of Imperial
supporters China aud India produce extraordi-
| nary players, "Oricna Morphys," even to this
day; but then they apply their mental discipline
to nothing beyond their profession. They are
chess players only. Instances Of scrous illness
have been produced by defeats Mt chess, and it is
more than probable that the ndispositon Of
distinguished opponent Of Mr.. Morphy, tho great
American hero OF the recent tournament iii Eu-
rope. has been caused ly his being ,anquished,-
In conclusion, may add that Chess stendies
the mind. snothes tho passions. restrains the i'm
pulses Of unbccomng haste. improves the
ing faculties by positive action. promotes induc-
tive philosophy in its relation between cause and
effect, teaches foresight, crcun.spcction, caution,
and selfrcance, occupies the hours of recreation
III way that prevents their employment in frivo-
l5uS amuscmcnts or dissipation, and in some mca-
sure indnririnateS itS disc pies with those truths
and that intellectual practice of combined logic
and the mathematics, taught in the highest classes
Of education. Therefore it is, that we hail the
viyal Of chess rs favorable feature in coun-
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