Tactics Time Chess Newsletter: Paul Morphy Birthday

Published: Sat, 06/22/13

Newsletter Issue Paul Morphy Birthday Tactics Time 
Pride and Sorrow of Chess

Permit me to repeat what I have invariably declared in every chess community I have had the honor of entering, that I am not a chess professional player - that I never wished to make any skill I possess the means of pecuniary advancement - and that my earnest desire is never to play for any stake but honor. ~ Paul Morphy

tactics position Morphy
 
 
T
 
 
 
oday is the Birthday of Paul Morphy, who was born on June 22, 1837. 
 
This is Paul Morphy's only known Chess Problem, originally published in the New York Clipper on June 28, 1856
 
   In the position on the right it is White to move
 
   Answer below.
 
 
   Paul Charles Morphy (June 22, 1837 - July 10, 1884) was an American chess player. He is considered to have been the greatest chess master of his era and an unofficial World Chess Champion. He was a chess prodigy. He was called "The Pride and Sorrow of Chess" because he had a brief and brilliant chess career, but then retired from the game while still young.
 
   Morphy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to a wealthy and distinguished family. He learned to play chess by simply watching games between his father and uncle. His family soon realized the boy's talent and encouraged him to play at family gatherings and by age nine he was considered one of the best players in New Orleans. At just twelve years old, Morphy defeated visiting Hungarian master Johann Löwenthal in a match of three games.
 
   After receiving his degree in 1857, Morphy was not yet of legal age to practice law and found himself with free time. He received an invitation to play at the First American Chess Congress in New York City and, at his uncle's urging, accepted. Morphy won the tournament which included strong players of the day, such as Alexander Meek and Louis Paulsen.
 
   Morphy was hailed as the chess champion of the United States and stayed in New York playing chess through 1857, winning the vast majority of his games. In 1858, Morphy travelled to Europe to play European Champion Howard Staunton. While negotiations for a match proved problematic, Morphy played every strong player in Europe, usually winning easily. While the match with Staunton never came about, Morphy was hailed by most in Europe as the world's best player.

   Returning to America in triumph, the accolades continued as he toured the major cities playing chess on his way back to New Orleans. By 1859, on returning to New Orleans, Morphy declared he was retiring from chess to begin his law career. However, Morphy was never able to establish a successful law practice and ultimately lived a life of idleness, living off his family's fortune. Despite appeals from his chess admirers, Morphy never returned to the game, and died in 1884 from a stroke at the age of forty-seven.
 
 
   Here is the position in FEN Notation:
 
   [FEN "kbK5/pp6/1P6/8/8/8/R7/8 w - - 0 1"]

 
   Answer
 
   White has a cute mate in two with 1. Ra6 bxa6 2. b7#
 
 
   Happy Tactics!
 
   Your Friend,
 
 
 
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