The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion


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(4.4 stars; 17 reviews)

Paul Morphy, born in New Orleans in 1837, was considered the greatest chess player of his era. He was a child prodigy who learned playing chess simply by watching family members play, and when he was only 9 years old, he was hailed as the best chess player in New Orleans.
This book describes Morphy's trip to Europe, i.e., England and France, where he wanted to play the European Champion Staunton, a match that never came about as the correspondence included in this book shows. He did play - and beat - virtually every other strong player in Europe though, and tales of these matches and people make up a large part of this book. After his triumphs in Europe, Paul Morphy was considered the unofficial World Chess Champion, as official championship tournaments were only held from 1886.

Morphy retired from chess in 1859 in order to devote himself to his law practice. He died from a stroke in 1884. (Summary by Availle) (5 hr 38 min)

Chapters

Preface 3:20 Read by Availle
Morphy's First Games 3:21 Read by Availle
The First American Chess Congress 12:52 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
Morphy Prepares to Start for Europe 16:54 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
Chess in England, part 1 27:48 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
Chess in England, part 2 27:43 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
Morphy in England, part 1 21:29 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
Morphy in England, part 2 25:43 Read by Jacob Paul Starr
The Staunton Affair, part 1 20:29 Read by MaryAnn
The Staunton Affair, part 2 28:21 Read by MaryAnn
The Staunton Affair, part 3 23:57 Read by MaryAnn
The Staunton Affair, part 4 30:26 Read by MaryAnn
Morphy in France 6:10 Read by John Kooz
The Café de la Régence 10:23 Read by John Kooz
The Match Between Morphy and Harrwitz 13:39 Read by MaryAnn
Morphy's Greatest Blindfold Feat 10:03 Read by MaryAnn
Continuation Of the Match With Harrwitz 6:30 Read by John Kooz
Morphy in Society 8:59 Read by Julia Niedermaier
Morphy and the French Amateurs 9:12 Read by KHand
Morphy Gets Beaten 4:16 Read by KHand
Morphy and Anderssen 15:50 Read by MaryAnn
Morphy and Mongredieu 4:14 Read by KHand
Trophies and Valedictory 6:44 Read by KHand