Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-01-03
CHESS CHAMPIONS.
The Popular Motion of their Unfit.
ness for Anything Else.

The late tragieal death of Fournier d.
Saint Amant brings back many inter
esting recollections. Once famous al
the greatest chess-player in the world
and for years held to be the champion o.
France, NJ. St. Amant lived to be nearly
ssventy-three, and to die at last from
being thrown from his carriage. Not
much has been heard Of him Of late
years. but, thirty years ago the clubs
and, indeed, all society, both in Paris
aud London, rang with his fame, 1t was
in l843 that Howard Stanton ventured
TO dispute st. Amants title to be called
the chess champion of Europe. The
celebrated match then arranged
the greatest ever contested for
the amount of the stakes, the wide
interest excited, and the time
consumed in the games-ended in
the Frenchman's defeat. It was a gallant
struggle, and the prevalent opinion OF
experts has been that Mr.. Staunton, dis
tinguished as we're his inertia, won by
superior endurance rather than by supe-
rior skill. However, the match was fair
ly played according to the stipulated
terms, and to the victor the honors fairly
belonged. The excitement over this
memorable encounter was intense. That
created by the Heenan-Sayers battle was
nothing to it. All classeslin England and
France watched the match with breath
less attention. The games we're com
mented upon from day to day by the
leading journals of both countries, and
the probable effect upon the result Of
each new development OF tactics was
weighed and disputed as if the fate of
empires was the stake at issue.
1t is common superstition that peo-
pie who play chess well can do nothing
else well, and the negative side of the
proposition has some tclerable evidence
to support it. Several famous captains
who excelled in the real field of war have
failed in the mimic field of chess. Ma
poleon, who was passionately fond Of
the game, never could attain to any
strength in it, snS the same has been
and is true of eniHent soldiers in our
own country. But it happens that both
parties in the chess match spoken of
have proved themselves the possessors Of
marked ability in other vocations. Chess
is a game of singular fascination, and
people having natural aptitude, who
once fall in love with it, are very apt to
devote themselves too exclusively to its
pursuits They are thus likely to be
credited in time with ability for nothing
else On the other hand, the bad players
who were good soldiers have commonly
given too much time and thought to
excel in war to leave space to excel in
chess. On the whole, much the same
qualities that bring success in the one
walk, with equal vigor and industry
bring success in the other NJ. St.
Amant himself disproved the popular
notion with skill and remarkable
achievements in several different and
important departments. In his mission
to Cayenne he showed high qualities as
a diplomatist and statesman. His works
on the French colonies are standard
books Of study and reference. At the
head Of part Of the National Guards Of
Paris, he repeaiedly-and notably in
lS4S-evineed courage, presence Of
mind and military capacity. He made
chess bis pastime rather than the sole
and engrossing pursuit Of his life; and
although, from the renoWn he acquired
By its practice, his name was more fire.
qnently connected with chess than with
anything else. il is certain that in the
absence Of that particular talent his