| 1st American Chess Congress (1857) |
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The first American Chess Congress (1) was held in New York City from October 6th to November 10th, 1857. Daniel Fiske and Thomas Frere were the organizers, and the tournament was designed with similarities to the London (1851) format, with the provision that draws did not count and had to be replayed. The first prize was $300. The 16 best American masters were invited to participate in the event, including Paul Morphy and Louis Paulsen. Morphy dominated the event, sweeping each of his opponents until Paulsen in the final. Despite dropping one game in the final match, Morphy finished the tournament with an astounding 14 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss. Not one to accept money for chess, Morphy turned down the cash prize in exchange for a silver tray, pitcher, and four goblets in its place. His victory cemented him as one of the best players in the world (if not the best), and prompted his tour across the Atlantic where he faced the best Europe had to offer in a series of matches, winning each and every one of them. Not long after his return to America, Morphy would retire from chess. The matches, final standings, and crosstables:
First Round:
+Morphy 3/3 1 1 1
-Thompson 0/3 0 0 0
+Meek 3/5 1 1 0 0 1
-Fuller 2/5 0 0 1 1 0
-Knott 3/7 1 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 0
+Perrin 4/7 0 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 1
+Lichtenhein 3/5 1 0 0 1 1
-Stanley 2/5 0 1 1 0 0
+Raphael 3½/6 0 1 ½ 0 1 1
-Kennicott 2½/6 1 0 ½ 1 0 0
-Fiske 2/5 1 1 0 0 0
+Marache 3/5 0 0 1 1 1
-Calthrop 0/3 0 0 0
+Paulsen 3/3 1 1 1
-Allison 1/4 0 1 0 0
+Montgomery 3/4 1 0 1 1
Quarterfinal Round:
+Morphy 3/3 1 1 1
-Meek 0/3 0 0 0
-Perrin 0/3 0 0 0
+Lichtenhein 3/3 1 1 1
+Raphael 3½/6 1 ½ 1 0 0 1
-Marache 2½/6 0 ½ 0 1 1 0
+Paulsen 2/2 1 1
-Montgomery 0/2 0 0
Semifinal Round:
+Morphy 3½/4 1 1 ½ 1
-Lichtenhein ½/4 0 0 ½ 0
-Raphael ½/3 0 ½ 0
+Paulsen 2½/3 1 ½ 1
Third place playoff:
3rd Lichtenhein 3/3 1 1 1
4th Raphael 0/3 0 0 0
<Final Match> 1st Morphy 6/8 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 1 1 1
2nd Paulsen 2/8 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 0 0 0
Fourteen years later, the 2nd American Chess Congress (1871) was the next to be held.References: (1) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amer... , (2) Original collection: Game Collection: New York 1857, by User: suenteus po 147
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| page 1 of 3; games 1-25 of 68 |
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| page 1 of 3; games 1-25 of 68 |
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Nov-16-12
 | | brankat: A collection of great historical value! |
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| Nov-16-12 | | Troller: I see Morphy lost a game against Paulsen. What a patzer he was, that Morphy. |
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Nov-16-12
| | brankat: <Troller> You got that right. It is about time that people see the light. And not only in regards to P.Morphy. There has been an endless procession of patzers, who, for some unfathomable reason, had been praised as true masters of the game. Steinitz the Conceited, Lasker of the Coffee-house, Nimzowitch the Weirdo, Euwe the Weakling, talentless Botvinnik, lucky Tal, cowardly Petrosian, Karpov the Pinko etc. Only BOBBY shines like the Sun! |
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| Nov-19-12 | | Tigranny: <brankat> I wouldn't call Karpov a pinko... |
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