Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-25
THE GAZETTE.
PAULsEN, TIE CnESo-PLAl Err.
FRIDAY MORNING. JUNE u, 1855

IAI LSEN, lib N''' 49,
4 eorrespopdcnt of the Boston journal.
writing from Chicago, says OF The nnpara'ei-
ed chess iess recently played out IN that c,ty
by Mr.. Paulsen, as follows:
1.-The most stupendons achievement In
chess the world ever saw has just been sue
cessfully performed in this city, and Louis
Paulsen now stands peerless. On Monday
evening he commenced playing blindtolded
ten Simultaneous games against Chicago -
His opponents were carefully selected from
among the most skiful players OF. the Chess
Club, vino used every exertion To checkmate
their gallant antagonist.
Mr.. Paulsen sat apart from every one on
the stage of the Light Guard Hall. with DIS
back to the ten boards. Two gentlemen OF
this CITY acted az tellers and circulated among
the PLAYERS, calling aloud each move on tue
different tables, which we're designated by
their respectye plumbers from one 10 ten.
Mr.. Paulsen would reflect few moments,
and then without apparent effort announce
his own move in return. His attitude and
hearing we're like those of a person 10
trance. His head thrown slightly forward,
his eyes closed. his figure motionless, aud
nothing to indicate life save an occasional
working of the face when skilful step was
taken by an adversary or sudden coup de
bqaaiUe contemplated by himself. The pro-
gress was slow, of course slow. At the close
of the first evening, however. enough OF his
surprising ability was displayed to make
even the most experienced of his opponents
feel nervous, and TO induce them TO use every
tactic to out maneuvre him. During the
recond evening bis advantage over several
was clearly to be seen. The spectators be-
came much excited, but the sympathies OF
those who bad no friends playing, were plain
Nv given to that single, silent man, thus pit
ted against o host OF foes.
Mr., Pausen could at any time recapitu-
late the precise position of each piece upon
every board, and when an occasional differ
ence arose concerning some dlsarrahSement
which he detected, bis assertions IN all
cases proved correct, while those who bad
their eyes open, were forced to acknowledge
their error. 1t was evident that his aston.
fishing memory and concentration enabled
him to recall at will each move from the first
upon either board, and thus bring 1t as
clearly to his minds eye as if it we're bodily
before him. The third evening was expected
to finish this unprecedented feat The au,
dience was on tip toe with excitement, and
every one seemed uncontrolabiy worked up,
except he upon whom all interest conferred
The selt-command exercised appeared mlrac-
ulous, and none would have suspected what
an intense, powerful stretch must have been
upon that singular brain. Calmly be sat, as
if casting some problem in simple interest,
rather than performing labor of herculean
magnitude.
Throughout he was subjected to one un-
fairness, which, however, now serves to
heigbten bis glory. Not only did be play
against ten opponents, but 6fty-as By
strange license, few Of the audience were
allowed to mingle with the players, and at
each table two or three deeply versed In
chess, seated themselves to advise those
whom Paulsen's brilliant attacks had dis
committed. He thus battled with the COM
bined strength of the entire city opposing
him. Every player, too, expected him to
make the assault while their chief effort
was to fortify a position SO as to be i'm
pregnable.
At IL o. N. game nine resigned. In fif-
teen minutes game FIVE did likewise, and
game two was drawn at it's players request.
Mr.. Paulsen then made some dashing, and
splendid attacks upon the rest, and might,
doubtless, have finished there, but the i'd
night hour interrupted. lie agreed to con-
tinue, but all thought best to adjourn, and
give those who wished on opportunity to
play out at the Club room on the next even
ing.
Mr.. Paulsen rose quickly when this decis'
ION was announced, seemingly not Jaded IN
the least. lie is an ordinary looking man,
with decidedly German cast OF features,
and nothing bpt singularly broad head to
indicate uncommon powers. The games
were finally finished last evening-Mr. Paul
sen beating five of the remaining seven, and
consented to draw the other two, though hc
might have won even them, 1T their players
were losing GOODNESS. Ten games blindiold-
ed is without q parallel. Mr.. Morphy never
attempted but seven, and this is outdone.-
The whole city is filed with wonder. The
victor is decidedly lion Of considerable al
titude, and bis achievement cannot possibly
be excelled under equally trying circumstan-
ces.