How Morphy Beat the Devil

The Chess Players by German Painter Moritz Retzsch (1779-1857)

This story is reprinted from the American Chess Magazine Volume II,
July 1898 through June 1899, which is available on our free eBook page.
 

On reading the notes in the July number [of the American Chess Magazine] on Paul Morphy's visit to Philadelphia, I am reminded of an incident in connection with his visit to Richmond, Va., about the same time, which was related to me some years ago by the Rev. Mr. H-, of that city.  I do not remember ever to have seen it in print.

Mr. Morphy was Mr. H-'s guest while in the city, and on his arrival was first ushered into the library, and his attention was at once attracted by a painting over the mantel, which was a fine copy of a celebrated painting reproducing a game of chess between a young man and the devil, the stake being the young man's soul.

The artist had most graphically depicted the point in the game where it was apparently the young man's move, and he seemed just to realize the fact that he had lost the game, the agony of despair being shown in every line of his features and attitude, while the devil from the opposite side of the table gloated over him with fiendish delight.

The position of the game appeared utterly hopeless for the young man, and Mr. H- said he had often set it up and studied it with his chess friends, and all agreed the young man's game was certainly lost.

Mr. Morphy walked up to the picture and studied it for several minutes, when finally, turning to Mr. H- he said: "I can win the game for the young man."  Mr. H- was, of course, astonished, and said, "Is it possible?" Mr. Morphy replied: Get out the men and board and let us look at it."

The position was set up, and in a few rapid moves he demonstrated a complete win for the young man, and the devil was checkmated.  The Rev. Mr. H- was wont to apply the evident and beautiful moral, which I leave to each of your readers to think over.

Yours truly, ROBERT MUNFORD
Macon, Ga., July 15, 1898

Editor's Note:  While it is unknown if the painting above is the same as the one spoken of in the anecdote, it seems plausible enough.  According to Jon Crumiller's website:

"The Game of Life or The Chess-Players" by Moritz Retzsch, Boston 1837.  Four text pages plus plate, paperback booklet, oblong (13.5" wide x 9.75" high).  Original printed paper wraps.  This booklet contains the first print of the famous engraving depicting players doing battle at the board - the Devil playing a young man for his soul.  The engraving was later copied for a painting, which is just as famous and popular as the original engraving.

Art, Fiction, History

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