Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-30
From the London Field
From the London Field,
Biography of Paul IOrphy, the Chess
PLAYER.

Paul Morphy is native of the city of New
Orleans, and was educated at Spring Hill Cot
tage, near Mobile, Alabama. His father was
born in Charleston, S. c. of Spanish parents,
and became an eminent Judge of the Su-
preme Court of the State of Louisiana.
United to a French Creole lady of the latter
State, the subject of our sketch was born Oh
the odd of June, 1897; and at the early age of
ten years, learned the moves of chess from
his father, at his own earnest solicitation. The
| family of Morphy has long been known in the
| South and West of the Republic for the emf
ncncc of its members in the mysteries of Gals
sa, and foremost among them stood the uncle
of our hero, Mr. Ernest Morphy. This gentle
man is of equal strength with Mr. ROsseau,
of New Orleans, who has for many years been
frequent visitor at the leading clubs of Lon
don and the continent, and whose presence
we are again happy to welcome to Europe
At very early age young Paul had played
some hundred games with his uncle, and
about half as many with Mr. Rosseau; almost
all the games toward the last being won by
the youthful opponent. Whilst still mere
boy, he played thirty games with James Nc
Connell, winning all but one and on the 22d
and 25th of May, 1850, mot yet thirteen years
of age) he encountered the celebrated Hun
garian, Herr Lowenthal, the result being in
somc measure, no doubt owing TO Mr.. rs I'M
derrating his young ntagonist-MOrphy, 2;
Lowenthal, 0; drawn /. 1t is not fair to sup
pose that the desire to wipe out this defeat
had something to do with Herr Lowenthal'
challenging his youthful victor IN the match
now pending.
For several years past Mr.. MOrphy had only
played with amateurs, to whom he gave the
rooll or knight-odds in which, from his bril-
liant style Of play, probably no one living can
surpass him. But the meeting of the first
| Congress of American chess players last year
| in New York, offered field for the display
of his extraordinary powers, and his visit tC
the Empire City was hailed with satisfaction
by nearly all the leading athletes in the States
Comparatively little is known in England OF
the strength of American players. At the
time of the Congress the New Yorl, Club con
tained such men as Mead and Thompson
gentlemen well known at the Cape dc Rcgence
and who received only small odds from Kiez
Gritty, and players of equal grade Lichten
helm, a trife stronger, had been president O
the Konigsburg Club, in Germany, and Chas
III. Stanley is no new name to Englishmen-
In other cities of the Union were amateurs O
equal force such, for instance, as Montgom
cry, of Philadelphia, and Paulsen, then un
known to fame. Could our readers examine
some of the games played by the above gen
tlemen they would have high opinion of the
knowledge of the "King of Games" in the
great Republic.
The Hon. A. B. Meek, Judge of Probate il
the State of Alabama, and one of the leading
jurists and orators in America, was the frs
to give the New York Club an idea of Pau
Morphy's powers. When he informed tn,
members that the youthful Louisianian woult
certainly carry off the prize in the tournament
he incurred good deal of bantering one gen
tlcman answering: Because he beats you
Judge, you think he must necessarily bea
everybody else"-a reply which, however
brilliant, proved unsound Mr.. Paulsen als'
guve 1t as his decided opinion, previously t
Mr.. MOrphy's arrival, that he would vanquisl
all competitors; and be frequently expressed
his belief, during the Congress, that shoul(
MOrphy visit Europe, he would prove his su
periOrity over every living player. Mr.. Paul
sens admiration for the young LOuisianian wa
so great that whenever the latter was engag
cd in game, he could not be lured from
watching him. But it is not merely over tn
board that Paul Morphy exerts his powers
As a bndfold player, no one ever before sue
ceeded in conducting seven games, with tn
exception of Paulsen, and he has frequentl,
stated in New York that he ielt satisfied tina
Morphy could play as many games as himself
The latter is considered stronger blindfode'
than Paulsen, and some of his battles are sur
prising examples of brilliant strategy.
Mr. Morphy is about five feet three inche
and his slenderness of figure is such as t.
give him a remarkably youthful appearance