PAUL MORPHY.
A SKETCH FROM THE CHESS WORLD.
Such is the title of the work before us. It was published some months ago at Leipzig by Messrs. Veit & Co. in two volumes; the author is Herr Max Lange, the well-known editor of the Berlin Schachzeitung. We have received, at the same time, the proof-sheets of a translation of the above, by Herr Ernest Falkbeer, which is to be presented to the public in a few days by the Chess publisher Mr. J. H. Starie, of Rathbone Place, London.
The German edition is divided into fifteen chapters, of which the first volume contains ten, the second five; to each chapter are added notes, which the learned author, in contra-distinction to the notes of the games, calls glossaries. The style is entirely German, and perhaps too didactic for a Chess work, but on the whole, much valuable information may be gathered from it. The games, one hundred and twenty in number, are given in the German notation, and are very correctly printed. The notes to the games are generally to the purpose, and often elaborately disquisite. Particular care seems to have been bestowed on the analysis of the games in the match between Anderssen and Morphy, which fills half of the second volume. This section is analyzed in so masterly a manner, that we strongly suspect the German champion himself has furnished the necessary data to the notes.
In order to give our readers a more distinct idea of the work, we will here cite the contents of the different chapters, of which, however, the glossaries generally form the greater part.
Chapter I. treats of the chivalrous nature of the game. Chapter II. compares Paolo Boi with Paul Morphy. Chapter III. gives five games played by Morphy in his youth. Chapter IV. speaks of the Chess Congress in New York in 1857. Chapter V. relates Morphy's triumphs in New York. Chapter VI. represents the American champion on his return to New Orleans. Chapter VII. narrates his voyage to, and his arrival in England. Chapter VIII. enumerates his victories over his English opponents. Chapter IX. is devoted to the match with Löwenthal, and the last Chapter of the first volume refers to the Chess Meeting at Birmingham.
In the second volume, the first chapter describes the youthful hero's reception and blindfold performance in the Café de la Régence in Paris.
