2-982-372 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Morphy, the Celebrated Chessplayer, 1858. '...this remarkable young chessplayer...[has performed an] astounding feat at Birmingham in conducting eight games blindfold at the same time against eight strong opponents...Paul Morphy, the winner of the first prize in the late Chess Congress, not content with the triumphs of the New World, has visited England, and added widely to his fame by the conquest of the two best players with whom he has yet contended...The Engraving represents our young hero as he appeared in the rooms of Queen's College, Birmingham...when, before a numerous assemblage, he contested eight games, without the aid of chess board or men, against eight members of the British Chess Association...What adds to the wonder is the fact that he rarely paused a minute to consider any move; and when, as was once or twice the case, a wrong one was announced to him...he instantly corrected it'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.