The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-02-03
THE AUToMiToN CIIEss-PLAYER.

1hF AGIOMA1ON SHESs-fI4A Eg.
Tie origin of this figure, which for
many years made sucn noise in the
world, is somewhat curious Wolf gang
de Kempelin, a gentleman of Hungary,
Aulc Councillor to the Royal Chamber
Of the domains of the Emperor of Ger
many, being called to Vienna in the
year 1869 by the duties of his station,
was present at some experiments in mag
netism by Pelletier, Frenehman, who
had been commanded to exhibit before
| the Empress, Maria Theresa During
the conversation with her Majesty, De
Kempelin, who had honorably distin-
guished himself in the paths of science.
limited that he could esA huct piece of
mechanism, The enegts.Ci which would
be more striking, and the deception more
complete, than anything which his royal
mistress had hitherto witnessed. His
manner in making this remark excited the
attention of the Empress, who encour-
aged him to make the effort; and accord
ingly within a few months he re-appear-
ed at the Court of Vienna with the Au-
tomaton Chess Player The following is
description of the appearance of this
figure, and of the manner in which the
games were conducted:
On entering the apartment where it was
exhibited, the Automaton, attired in gor-
geous Oriental costume, was seen seated
behind a chess board which stood upon
chest about three feet thigh, two feet wide
and four feet long. The Automaton, the
chair upon which it sat, and the chest,
were fixed together and, being upon
castors. could be moved with facility to
any part of the chamber. The exhib-
ton began by opening certain doors con
! trlved IN the chest, two III front and two
1 IN the back, pulling out at the same time
a long, shallow drawer at the bottom of
the chest, containing set of chess men,
a cushion and some counters. Two less
er doors, under green cloth screen, in
/ the body OF the figure and its lower parts,
were also opened. and the Turkish drap-
/ cry which covered them was raised, so
that the construction both of Automaton
and the chest appeared to be fully dis
played. In this state the whole apparatus
was moved around for the examination
OF the spectators and to Danish all sus-
picion from the most skeptical mind that
any living object was concealed within,
lighted taper was introduced into the
body of the chest and figure, by which
the interior OF each was rendered in Il
great measure transparent, and the most
secret corner apparently made visible
The same precaution, to remove suspi-
cion, was us2d at the commencement Of a
game of chess with the Automaton
The chest upon which the figure APP
peared 10 lean while playing, was diyid-
ed into two unequal compartments, which
were filled with wheels, springs, cylin-
ders and other machinery used in clock
work. The interior of the body and low
er parts OF the body were also occupied
BY levers, tubes, dc. After q sufficient
time, during whicha spectator might sat
isfy his curiosity, the exhibitor re-closed
the doors, wound up the machine, placed
a cushion under the arm of the figure,
and invited any individual present to
game of chess. As soon as a champion
entered the lists, the eyes Of the Autom-
aton appeared to be directed to the
board, and after some moments of SEEM
ing mediation it slowly raised its arm.
moved 1t towards the piece to be played,
suspended its hand over il for an instant,
then grasped it firmly between the fin
gers and placed ii on the destined square
Ii piece was captured. the same pro
cess was gone through, and at every
move noise as of wheels and clock
work was heard
The Automaton always claimed the
privilege Of playing first at the begin
ming OF game. Any attempt to dis
concert IL by false move was futile
Upon the least infringement of the Gus
tomary rules of chess, he would tap up
on the chest, replace the offending piece,
and then proceed to take due advantage
Of moving a piece Of his own. An an
ecdote is recorded of Napoleon, who at
tempted to make a false move in game
with the Automaton, for the purpose Of
gratifying his curiosity but upon a
third repetition of the offence, the figure
swept the pieces all off the board and re-
fused 10 continue the game.
w heheVer the Automaton gave check,
sound resembling the word CHECK
was heard and it courteously announc-
ed an attack upon its adyersary's queen
by bowing twice
Such was the appearance and manner
OF the chess automaton as exhibited in
Vienna Immediately after its invention,
and in London on the occasion of its
second visit in 1919. For years the mys-
terry of this remarkable machine remain
ed impenetrable. During this period it
visited the capitals of England, Germa-
ny, and France it was everywhere re-
ceiyed with curiosity. drew crowds of
visitors, and excited the liveliest feelings
of surprise and admiration. On return
ING to Berlin it was permitted the honor
of playing with the great Frederick him
self. De Kempelin died in 1904. at
which time the Automaton came into the
possession Of M. Maelzel, who exhibited
it for many years with equal success. AS
i yanquished nearly every adversary, NJ.
Maelzel resolved in future to give all op-