YES
(via fapoleon-bonerparte)
George Washington and chess
When spies learned that Washington was crossing the Delaware in 1776, they sent a young boy with information to alert Colonel Johann Rahl. Upon arriving at the Hessian encampment, they boy found Rahl engaged in a game of chess with landlord Stacey Potts. Rahl quickly stuffed the missive in his pocket without reading it, as he was focused on the game and did not want to be bothered. The note was later retrieved in its same unopened state from Rahl’s corpse as the few surviving Hessians scoured the remains of Washington’s Christmas victory.
It speaks volumes regarding Washington’s proficiency and general awesomeness if he can beat a man at chess without even being present at the board.
A small story about Robespierre and chess
What is known: Robespierre frequented the Cafe de la Regence in the early days of the revolution. It was the most lavish and popular venue for gentleman chess players at the time, previously attended by such individuals as Rousseau, Diderot, and Philidor.
Philidor, who essentially wrote the first compendium of chess tactics and drew the greatest crowds to the Cafe, abandoned France during the revolution and did not return for fear of being arrested. With his absence, and Robespierre’s increased presence, the Cafe’s clientele diminished in quantity, as patrons were wary of being arrested if they lost to Robespierre or even looked wrongly at him.
One brave soul confronted Robespierre at the Cafe and issued a challenge and a very specific set of stakes. If they won, Robespierre had to grant them a favour. If they lost, they would monetarily compensate him. The challenger triumphed over Robespierre and revealed herself as the wife/lover of an imprisoned man, and the favour was the granting of his freedom, which Robespierre dutifully obliged.
What is speculated: There are four theories as to who this challenger was, none of which are confirmed.
The first is that the imprisoned man was none other than Thomas Paine, and his wife disguised herself as a man to free him.
The second identifies the challenger of Jacqueline Armand, a woman whose husband was soon to be guillotined. She bobbed her hair and supposedly waited at the Cafe for the seat across from Robespierre to become vacant, at which time she made her move.
The third and most popular notion is that the woman was the lover of an unidentified French soldier who was arrested, and once she checkmated Robespierre, she won from him a document of release and two passports that would ensure safe travel out of France.
The final theory is that the woman was the Marchioness de Merin. Upon winning, she presented Robespierre with an already-penned document of release, lacking only his signature for her husband’s freedom.
Extra material: Supposedly Robespierre and a young Napoleon crossed paths at the Cafe on at least one occasion. The following quote narrates this instance.
“…the sly, cat-like eye of Robespierre sweeps at each glance both board and hall, to see if the latter hold any of the denounced - any heads which are due to Madame la Republique - any job of work for neighbor Samson. Friends depart while the lingerers around subdue their voices, and strain for a smile…One youth alone meets Robespierre’s glance, and quails not. Napoleon, the young lieutenant, is there among the spectators, and like carvings of bronze are his impassable features. Bonaparte at one time played chess at the Regence daily; while waiting, like the sailor whistling for a wind, to get employment of the Directory.
Addendum: Napoleon was absolutely miserable at chess.
lifeofthedamned replied to your post: Chess is basically the best thing ever. it’s a…
CHESS! MY SCHOOL HAS A CHESS TEAM AND WE HAVE T-SHIRTS
CAN YOU FEEL MY ENVY SEEPING THROUGH YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN?
Why is there erotica under the chess tag?
Customs Agent, 18th Century Style on Flickr.
A plausible scenario regarding Camille and the Robespierres.
Chess is basically the best thing ever.
- it’s a combination of art, mathematics, and sport
- it uses such terms as the “Giraffe Attack of the Vienna Game,” or the “Fried Fox Variation”
- anyone can play, but it is ridiculously difficult to succeed at
- along that line, its one of few pursuits that have distinguished masters at all ages, from 13-year-old Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen to 90-year-old Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh
- the board and pieces themselves are beautiful and can be represented by just about any material, theme, or size
- when was the last time you saw a custom checker set?
- exactly
- everyone near and dear to history peeps has played it
- to name a few
- Robespierre
- Burr
- Napoleon
- Jefferson
- Claudius
- I could go on and on
Gloriosky.
First time visiting “what the xxxx should I do with my life” and they hit the nail on the head.
The internet is reading my mind.
…and now I enter the realm of changing my major three semesters prior to graduation.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of crippling uncertainty for the future, I will fear no evil: for my academic advisor art with me; his enthusiasm and his patriarchism they comfort me.
