The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-07-12
THE AUTOMATON CHESS PLAYER

In 1874, l saw in the bouse Of man nomed
oroner, a mechanlcian living at Belville, a vii
age at the gates OF Paris, the famous automa-
ton chess player, whose combinations perplexed
scientific men for many years. 1t was. indeed
marvellous autOmaton, which was scarcely ever
beaten, even by the best chess PLAYERS never
saw it at work, but since then have received in
formation about this masterpiece OF mechanical
skill, which suspect will surprise him much as
it did me. The first partition of Poland in 1872
produced great deal of ferment. which caused a
few years afterwards, innumerable riots. About
l776 grave revolt took place in regiment com
posed of Russians and Poles in equal numbers, and
stationed at Riga. At the head of the rebels was
an officer named Worousky, a man of considerable
talents and great energy. He small in stature,
but well made; his marked features seemed so many
wounds, and gave his masculine physiognomy a
martial character. This insurrection became so
formidable the troops sent to quell it were twice
driven back with considerable losses. Neverthe-
less reinforcemenss poured in from st. Petersburg
and In battle fought in the open country the in
surgents were conquered. Many of them were
slain On the battle field; the rest fled through the
swamps, where the troops pursued them with or
ders to give no quarter. In this battle Worousky
was severely wounded in the thighs bv a gun shot
and fell on the battle field. Nevertheless. he man
aged to escape from the general massacre by crawl
ing to ditch covered with brush, where he lay
concealed.
When night came WOrousky contrived to crawl,
though with inexpressible pain, to the house of a
nelghborlng physician, one Dr. Osloff, loved by ev
erybody for his benevolence and humanity. The
Doctor touched by the unhappy mans position,
exerted all his medical skill for his relief, and
agreed to keep him in the house. Worouskv was
severely wounded, nevertheless the Doctor hoped
Tor some days that he would cure him. But gan
creme suddenly appeared, and it became necessary
to sacrifice one portion of his body to the other;
the Doctor amputated both thighs, the operation
was successful, and Worousky's life was saved
Some time after WorOusky's recovery, DR.. .Osloff
received the visit of Herr Won Kempelen, a cele-
hro tod nIoptn /.
VIII" visited Russia to study its language to enable
him to write on the mechanism of speech, which he
has so well explained in his well known work pub
hshed IN 1871, at Vienna. This visit was the more
agreeable to the worthy Doctor as he had begun to
conceive some uneasiness about the consequence
which might result to him from his good action
Herr Won Kempelens visit was therefore a lucky
event for the Doctor, who reckcned on his freends
imagination to extrcate him from embarrassment
Herr ' on kempelen alarmed at first to share
such asecret. He knew a reward was offered FOR
Worousky's head, at that his friends humanity was
crime severely punished by the Russian law: but
when he saw the mutilated body of the poor out
law, he forgot his fears, and only thought how hest
he might effect his escape. Dr. Osloff was passion
atey fond of chess playing, and as much to satisfy
his love for the game as to amuse his patient he
played frequently with the latter. Worousky was
so excellent player the Doctor could never win a
single game. Herr Won kempelen joined the Doc
tor to play against the poor cripple; thev were al
ways defeated. This skill suggested to Herr Won
hempeen the idea of the famous automaton chess
player. He instantly formed his plan and set to
work. Strange to say! this masterpiece of me-
chanica skill, this marvel whose combinations as
tonished the whole word was invented and made
in three months.
Herr Won Kempelen determined the Doctor
should be the first to see his work. He invited him
to play against the automatOn chess player the 10th
OF October 1876. The autOmaton represented
Turk the size of life, dressed in national costume
and seated behind a chest of drawers, which was
Il lNr,r Il a,x,1k III
yard wide. On the chest, in the centre oft was a
chess board. Before the game began, Herr Won
Kempelen opened several doors of the chest of draw
ers, and DR.. Osl5ff saw inside immense quantity
OF wheels levers cylinders, springs dials &C., &c,
&c, which filled all the space the eve could see At
the same time he opened long drawer containing
chess men and cushion on which the Turk leaned
his arm.
After this examination ended, the automaton's
dress lifted up and DR.. OslOlf looked into the
interior OF the Turks body. Herr Won Kemoelen
then closed the doors, arranged the machine and
wound up of the wheels with a kew which he
introduced into hole made one side OF the chest
of drawers. After this was DONE the Turk nodded
to salute the company, placed his hand one of the
chessmen, took it in his fingers, put it on another
square, and then rested his arm on the cushion
above mentioned. Herr Won Kempeen told Dr.
Oslof that the automaton did not speak, but that
three mods meant check to the king and two mods
check to the queen. The Doctor began to play and
patiently waited until his adversary, who moved
with all the gravity of the Sultan he represented,
moved another piece.
Although the game opened slowly, it was steadily
played, and the Doctor soon saw that he had for
mldable adversary; for despite all his efforts to de-
feat the machine, his game soon became des-
perate 1t is true the Doctor became absent mind
ed towards the last; his mind seemed absorbed by
some thought or another; but he hesitated to com
muncate his reflections to his friends until all at
once the automaton nodded three times. The Doe
tor was checkmated, and he exclaimed impatiently
enough: "By Jove! If did not know that Wor-
ousky is in his bed up stairs, | would swear he is
my adversary. Nobody but he could have played
such game as that autOmaton has PLAYED. Be
Sides" added the worthy Doctor looking Herr Won
kempelen steadily in the face, chow is it your
tomatOn plays with the left hand just as WorOusky
doesY The automaton chess player did play with
the left hand, a defect wise attributed to the
inadvertence of the inventor
Herr Won kempelen rOared with laughter and
to end the joke which was to be so often renewed
he confessed to his friend that Worousky was in
deed his adversary. "But where in the deuce
have you hid him." asked the Doctor looking on
every side around him to discover his antagonist
Herr Won kempelen roared with laughter. "WeI,
doctor, don't you recognize me?'' exclaimed the
Turk holding out his left hand, while Herr Won
kempeen raised the dress and exhibited the poor
mutilated fellow in the automaton's carcass. DR..
Oslof laughed as loud and as heartily as the others
now; but he stopped before they did to ask
Chow did you manage to conceal Worousky?"
Herr Won Kempeen explained how he hid the
poor Pole. 'Do you all these wheels, levers,
springs, pullies; they are machine the pins,
and frames which support them slide in grooves
and Worousky pushes them forward and crOuches
behind them while you are examining the interior
of the Turk: As soon as you examined the inte-
rior of the Turk and the robe was closed, Wo-
rousky suddenly slipped into the Turks body, and
while l was exhibiting to you the wheels of the
chest he slipped his arms and hands into those of
the Turk. You will understand how easy it was
for him to slip his head up that enormous neck
(Vh 10 tlr lnA h,-t tbo
beard and cOllar,) and see the chess board and play
against you. And when pretend to wind up the
machine, the only object of the noise | make with
the inside wheels is to cover any noise Worousky
may make in moving from one place to another"
"And So" said the Doctor, if anxious to satisfy
himselfthat he thoroughly understood the explana-
ton, "whie | was examining the chest of drawers
Worousky was in the Turks body; and when l
lifted up the Turks dress, WorouskY was in the
chest of drawers | confess was deceived, but !
have the consolation of knowing | shall not be the
asst one who is defrauded by these artifces' The
three friends were astonished at their success for
this instrument would enable the poor prescribed
Worousky to quit the country, and assure him a
livelihood. They agreed upon the route they would
follow to reach the frontier speedily possible,
md they further resolved they would give perform
lnces in all the towns to lay suspicion. A month
afterwards Worousky was entirely recovered from
his wounds, and gave at TOula the first public proof
1f his wonderful ability. The bill was in the Rus
'ian language and in these words:
'Toula, November, I777.
Exhibition of an Automaton Chess PLAYER,
Invented and made by Herr Won Kempeen.
N. B.-The mechanical combinations of this au-
-omaton wonderful the inventor does not
hesitate to challenge the best players to
ter with it.
| have copy of this bill in my possession. 1t
was given me by Mr. Hessler, DR.. Oslof's nephew
and it is from him | heard all these details.
need scarcely say that this bill aroused the Gu
riosity of the inhabitants of Toula There were
not only an immense number of adversaries in the
lists, but heavy bets were made on them and on
the automaton. Worousky beat them ALL and en-
couraged by his success, he engaged Her Won
kempelen to propose contest between the autom-
atom and the best players of the place united to-
gether This offer accepted with even more
llacrity than the first challenge, and crowded au-
lience witnessed the game. Success was for time
uncertain and Herr Won Kempeen began to fear the
reputation of the automaton would be compro-
missed; when unexpected move, mastery
move, decided in Worousky's favor. The whole
audience, the vanquished themselves included eel
ebrated the glorious victory by loud and pro-
lOnged applause. The newspapers praised the
invention and increased his fame
Herr Won Kempelen and Worousky bade adieu to the
hospitabe Doctor and directed their steps towards
the frontier. Prudence commanded that Worousky
should be kept concealed from every eve even while
he Il,-p oEa cd boy