1837–1884 / United States
Paul Morphy
Time is a piece, too.
A life at the board
Born in New Orleans, Morphy won the first American Chess Congress in 1857. In 1858 he travelled to Europe and defeated several of its leading players. His games show how developing pieces and opening lines can outweigh extra material. He returned to the United States in 1859 and left serious competition to pursue law.
- 1837Born in New Orleans.
- 1857Wins the first American Chess Congress.
- 1858Travels to Europe; plays the Opera Game.
- 1859Returns to the United States.
- 1884Dies in New Orleans.
FOR DISCUSSION
What matters more here: an extra piece or a rook entering with check?
Games in the archive
Explore the sources
Portrait credits
- Paul Morphy (c. 1859) — D. J. Pound · Cleveland Public Library / DPLA. Original · Public domain
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Original files are preserved; framing and a paper tint are applied on screen. Displayed versions retain each portrait’s license.