← All books
Free public-domain editionCleared for declared scopeEN

The Exploits and Triumphs, in Europe, of Paul Morphy, the Chess Champion

A contemporary chronicle of Morphy’s European campaign, chess clubs, players, and controversies

Frederick Milnes Edge

Frederick Milnes Edge’s complete contemporary narrative of Paul Morphy’s rise and European campaign, including its full front matter, seventeen chapters, valedictory, and original publisher catalogue.

Start reading18 reading sections
FFront MatterTitle page, copyright, dedication, preface, and the edition contents.3 min →1Morphy’s First GamesMorphy’s childhood aptitude, early opponents, and the first evidence of his exceptional strength.2 min →2The First American Chess CongressThe 1857 Congress, its leading contestants, and Morphy’s decisive emergence as American champion.9 min →3Morphy Prepares to Start for EuropeEnglish expectations, the New Orleans challenge, and the correspondence that set Morphy’s European journey in motion.12 min →4Chess in EnglandA long history of English chess life, its leading players, clubs, coffee houses, and institutions.38 min →5Morphy in EnglandMorphy’s arrival, matches with Löwenthal and English masters, Birmingham play, and blindfold exhibitions.34 min →6The Staunton AffairEdge assembles letters, reports, resolutions, and commentary surrounding the match that never occurred.77 min →7Morphy in FranceThe crossing from England and Morphy’s first arrival in Paris.4 min →8The Café de la RégenceA portrait of Parisian café culture and Morphy’s introduction to the celebrated chess room.7 min →9The Match Between Morphy and HarrwitzThe opening of the Harrwitz match, its personalities, reversals, and Morphy’s recovery.11 min →10Morphy’s Greatest Blindfold FeatThe public eight-board blindfold display at the Régence and the extraordinary scene around it.8 min →11Continuation of the Match with HarrwitzThe match resumes, Harrwitz withdraws, and the dispute over the result and stakes follows.4 min →12Morphy in SocietyNewspaper celebrity, Parisian salons, diplomatic circles, and chess among Morphy’s social engagements.6 min →13Morphy and the French AmateursMorphy’s encounters with Rivière, Journoud, Lequesne, and other leading French players.8 min →14Morphy Gets BeatenThe campaign to secure Anderssen’s visit and Morphy’s comic defeat in the contest of persuasion.4 min →15Morphy and AnderssenAnderssen arrives in Paris, the champions meet, and Morphy establishes his superiority in their match.12 min →16Morphy and MongredieuMorphy offers odds after Anderssen and plays the London Chess Club president in Paris.4 min →17Trophies and ValedictoryEdge totals Morphy’s English and French results, closes with a valedictory, and the original volume’s Appleton catalogue follows.11 min →