Octobers Featured Grandmaster Paul Morphy
Unofficial World Champion
As we continue our pursuit of excellence within the ever changing world of Chess, This months Featured Grandmaster was also on the cutting edge of tournament chess play and is considered by many to be the most brilliant of all chess players. If a mans greatness and legacy is measured by the acknowledgement of future generations, then truly Paul Morphy was the father of modern day Chess.
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.
Paul was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in the early part of the nineteenth century, His family was highly regarded within the social community and held a position of prominence as his father was highly regarded within the legal community. Paul grew up in gentle civility where chess, music and Sunday family gatherings were the normal activities of the day.
He learned to play chess by watching his dad and his uncle play. It was noted that after watching his dad Alonzo and his uncle Earnest play a lengthy game , Paul made the comment to his uncle that he could of won the game and proceeded to replace the pieces of the game as they were and provided the means by which the win could of been accomplished. Astounded his family from then on encouraged Paul to learn and play however and whenever he could.
By the age of nine, Paul was considered to be one of the finest chess players in New Orleans.
As you will see Grandmaster Paul Morphy grew into the foremost prominent player in the world...view the rest of his story on our Featured Grandmaster Page.
To your Chess Playing Success
Terry Ritschard
