The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-26
BIOGRAPHY OF PAUL MORPHY, TIE CHESS
PLA YER. '''".. .
From the London Field, ]

Paul Morphy is native of the city of New Orleans
and educated at Spring Hill Cottage, Mobile,
Alabama His father was born in Charleston South Car
oina of Spanish parents and became Of tho most emf
nen Judges of the supreme court of the State of Louis
lana. United to French Creole lady of the latter State
the subject of our sketch born the 22d June
1887 and at the early age of ten years learned the
of chess from his father at his earnest solicit
taton The family Of Morphy has long been known in
the South and West of the republic for the enencc of
its members in the mysteries of Cassa and foremost
among them stood the uncle of hero, Mr.. Ernest
Morphy. This gentleman is of equal strength with Mr.
Rousseau ofNew Orleans who has, for many years. been
frequent visitor at the leading clubs of London and the
continent and whose presence we are again happy to
welcome in Europe At very early age, young Paul
had played some hundred games with his uncle and
about half many with Mr. Rousseau almost all the
games towards the last being by their youthful OPP
ponent. Whilst still mere boy, he played 80 games
with Mr.. James Mcconnell winning all but and on
tho ed and 18th of May 1885, ot yet Is years of
he encountered the celebrated Hungarian Herr Lowen-
thai the result being in measure, doubt owing
to Mr.. Lis undertaking his young antagonist Morphy
81 Lowenthal, o drawn l. 1t is not unfair to suppose
that the desire to wipe out this defeat had something to
do with Herr Lowenthals challenging his youthful victor
in the match now pending.
b. For several years past Mr.. Morphy had only played
with amateurs, to whom he gave the rock or knight
odds in which, from his brilliant style of play probably
living surpass him. But the meeting of the first
Congress of American chesspayers last year New York
offered field for the display of his extraordinary powers
and his visit to the Empire City hailed with salts
faction by nearly all the leading athletes in the States
Comparatively little known in England of the strength
of American players At the time of the Congress the
New York Club contained such men as Mead and
Thompson gentlemen we'll known at the Cafe de Re-
gence, and who received only small odds from Kiez-
critzky and players of equal grade. Mchtenheim, q
the stronger had been president of the Konigsburg
Club in Germany and Charles HI. Stanley is new
to Engshmen. In other cities of the Union
amateurs of equal force SUCH for Instance Mongoe-
ry of Philadelphia and Paulsen then unknown fame
Could readers examine of the games played by
the above gentlemen they would have a high opinion
of the knowledge of the liking Of Games in the great
republic. -s-----. HT..
The Hon. A. b. Meek Judge of probate IN the state of
Alabama, and Of the leading jurists and orators in
America was the first to givethe New York Club idea
of Paul Morphy's powers When he informed the
bers that the youthful Louisanan would certainly carry
off the prize In the tournament he incurred good deal
of bantering one gentleman answering Because he
beats you, Judge you think he must necessarily beat
everybody else reply which, however brilliant,
proved unsound Mr. Paulsen also gave 10 his decided
opinion, previously to Mr.. Morphys arrival, that he
would vanquish all competitors and he frequently
pressed his belief during the Congress that should Nor
ply visit Europe, no would prove his superiority
every living player. Mr.. Pausens admiration for the
young Louisianian great that whenever the latter
engaged in game he could not be lured from watch
ing him. But 1t is not merely the board that Paul
Morphy excrts his powers. As blindfod player no
one before succeeded In conducting seven games
with the exception of Paulsen, and he has frequently
stated in New York that he felt satisfied Morphy could
play many games himself The latter is considerably
stronger blndold than Paulsen and of his battles
| are surprising examples of brilliant strategy
Mr. Morphy is about five feet three inches and his
slenderness Of figure is such to give him remarkably
youthful appearance. -