Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-08-21
A GAME OF CHESS.
How the Identity of the Sultan's
Opponent Was Revealed.

How the Identity OF the Sultans
Opponent Was Revealed.
Fifty years ago, in Mehemet Ais
time, Suleiman Pasha-a naturalized
Frenchman-was commander-in-chief OF
the Egyptian artillery, and universally
acknowledged to be the best chess
player in Cairo As soldier he stood
in high favor with the court as we'll as
with the people: for in the war waged
by the Sultan Of Turkey against Niche
met Ali in 1889, the Egyptians owed
their victory in the notable battle Of
Nisib to the prompt decision and strategy
of Suleiman Pasha. The Egyptian army
had already taken TO flight, carrying its
commander, the heroic Ibrahim Pasha,
away with it, when suddenly, as if by
magic, the battle took favorable turn,
changing the fleeing masses into pur-
suers, who succeeded in completely van
gushing the Turkish troops. This
blow proved fatal TO Mahlnoud, the I'M
happy Sultan, whose supreme power
hitherto had been unQuestioned. He
took the loss OF his brave army so much
to heart, that he died Of grief barely a
week afterwards.
When peace had succeeded war, Sulei-
man Pasha returned to the city of the
califs to enjoy there his tavorite pastime
of chess. Punctually every afternoon
he made his appearance in q cafe situ-
ated on the banks of the Nile where, on
the terrace. under the shade of mighty
palmtrees, seat Was specially reserved
for him, and there he fought daily
battle with the venerable Ulema. Reshid
Aga. The field upon which the battle
was fought was the siXty-four black and
white squares OF the cbess-board, where
ivory armies strove with each other,
each trying hard 20 decoy his opponent
into some hidden trap, They only
ceased fighting when the evening twi.
light descended. and when the cry Of the
muezzin from the minaret of the mosque
called the faithful to prayers, to resume
it again the next day, and to continue
for weeks and months until one Of the
combatants was defeated But il was
never the Pasha who was beaten, though
Reshid Aga was not only highly con
sidered on account Of his great learning,
but also far-famed for his Inasterly play
ing OF chess
The Two masters were generally sur
rounded by all the best players OF Cairo,
who followed their moves with eager
and attentive looks. One afternoon.
while Suleiman Pasha was waiting for
Reshid Aga, a stranger stepped up 70 him
and addressed him as follows: 'Pasha,
may ] propose game Of chess to thee?"
The persons who as usual had gathered
round the latter were so much startled
by this unexpected proposal, that their
chibouks nearly dropped from their
grasp, while gray-bearded Cadi was
almost choked in the act of gulping
down his Mocha. For who could be so
daring as 10 venture to challenge the
conqueror of Reshid Aga
Suleiman Pasha, however, only cast
ing searching look upon the stranger,
quietly replied: II am at thy service
What is the stake thou art accustomed
to play for2'
For nothing the first time; for a
great stake the next. But il is for thee,
Pasha. to name the stake now"
"a hundred ducats won't be too much
them? Suleiman Pasha replied. again
looking inquiringly at the stranger,
whose face remained quite unmoved
while ne calmly took his r.ace.
The board was brought and lots were
cast for colors; the Pasha drew Black,
the stranger White.
great crowd Of enthusiastic specta-
tators soon collected round the players
After the very first moves il was clear 70
all that they had masterplayer before
them The ivory figures seemed to
grow into life in the hands Of the
stranger; i was as if real soldiers
moved on the black and white squares,
blindly obeying the commands Of their
leaders Suleiman Pasha also soon be-
came aware Of the crushing power Of
MS adversary, he felt as if the grip Of
an iron fist held him in bonds. In vain
he tried to shake off his opponent; vain
was his sacrifice Of knight and Castle;
Sc strangers power did not seem to
weaken a bit. The Pasha sat in deep,
earnest thought; opposite TO him the
stranger, calm, but with proud look,
like the marble statue Of commander
in-chief A CLEAN Of JOY spread sud.
denly over the Pasha's features; be saw