Morphy against men of less strength than anywhere else in his published battle. It was also here where Steinitz excelled. With what infinite skill he would develop intricate combinations in his simultaneous exhibitions where he knew that the players were of a class that would allow of chances to be taken. There were not many games played by Steinitz in his exhibitions that were not worthy of publication. It is so in all simultaneous chess, and Gray's Elegy never had a more realistic application than to the beauties so developed and lost in the multitude of games so played.
Another element that must be considered in the comparison of play in our day and that of Morphy is that limitation of time by clocks was unknown then. It was possible to figure out any doubtful combination, no matter how long it took, and necessarily the possibilities for brilliancies were much enhanced. The introduction of the time limit has compelled the student to keep his analysis within bounds and conservative management of games has been a consequence. Many a combination has been avoided on account of the near approach to the hour limit and games that might have bristled with gems have gone on drawing lines. And yet, in spite of this, the games of the earlier congresses without time limit are not on an everage better nor more brilliant than those of tournaments of to-day.
