Le blog de la Batgirl
* * * Please Note * * *
This blog, like most of what I write, focuses on the historical and cultural aspects of chess - with a few rants thrown in for good measure.
I don't accept friend requests; I don't play chess here; and I don't generally respond to notes, but I will respond to messages if they seem to have a purpose other than meaningless chat. I'm only mentioning this so everyone knows there's nothing personal in my lack of response to any of the above.
Submitted by
on Sun Sep 6, 2009 12:53pm.
Paul Morphy called the Evans Gambit, "that most beautiful of openings," and, indeed, until the beast was declawed by Lasker, this particular opening led to some of the most spectacular games. Of all the Evans Gambits ever played, Anderssen's ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Sat Sep 5, 2009 7:26am.
Dr. Hermann von Gottschall (1862-1933) was a reputable German chessplayer. He also edited the German periodical Deutsche Schachzeitung from 1892-96 (having co-edited with Curt von Bardeleben from 1887-1891) and authored several books on chess, am... Read more »
Submitted by
on Wed Sep 2, 2009 8:13pm.
I was trying to find out about Daniel S. Roberts who was considered one of the strongest players in America around Paul Morphy's time, but who never occasioned to play the American Champion. There's really nothing odd about the fact they never... Read more »
Submitted by
on Tue Sep 1, 2009 9:32pm.
A dozen or so years ago I was reading a little book by I.A. Horowitz [although sometimes credited to Francis J. Wellmuth, sometimes to both Horowitz and Wellmuth, sometimes to the Editors of Chess Review] called The Golden Treasury of ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:00am.
A dozen or so years ago I was reading a little book by I.A. Horowitz [although sometimes credited to Francis J. Wellmuth, sometimes to both Horowitz and Wellmuth, sometimes to the Editors of Chess Review] called The Golden Treasury of ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Sat Aug 29, 2009 7:42pm.
Chess,com member gretagarbo uncovered further information on I. E. Orchard in response to my original posting.
New York Times, Dec. 7, 1896
PILLSBURY'S GOOD CHESSWon 16 out of 26 Games Against 46 Players in Brooklyn. It was 2 o'cl... Read more »
Submitted by
on Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:22am.
A dozen or so years ago I was reading a little book by I.A. Horowitz [although sometimes credited to Francis J. Wellmuth, sometimes to both Horowitz and Wellmuth, sometimes to the Editors of Chess Review] called The Golden Treasury of ... Read more »
Submitted by
on Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:17pm.
This continuation of the history of the N.O. Chess, Checkers & Whist Club includes it's destruction by fire, including its entire library and Morphyobilia collection, it's resurrection and final transformance into the Paul Morphy Club.
I... Read more »
Submitted by
on Tue Aug 25, 2009 6:23pm.
Paul Morphy was the president of the New Orleans Chess Club. After he faded into the shadows, the chess club languished and finally failed. There was still a powerful interest in chess within the New Orleans society and four years before Morp... Read more »
Submitted by
on Mon Aug 24, 2009 3:24pm.
A random series of newspaper articles, published after his death, that mention Paul Morphy.
The San Francisco Call, February 04, 1896GREAT CHESS PLAYERS.A Young American Boy Who Eclipses Paul Morphy.Paul Morphy reigned in the chess world from 1... Read more »