<< Lehrbuch des Schachspiels> (1862) >

http://books.google.com/books?id=t8...

"AN EXTRAORDINARY GAME OF CHESS
The Cafe de la Regence, Paris, on Friday night was the scene of an extraordinary display of chess power, contending without seeing the board, in two games at the same time against two players of the Paris Chess Club.

Prince Antoine Bonaparte, the Duke of
Brunswick, the Marquis do Carraciola, Count Issoire, and a great number of amateurs and members of the club, wore present, and followed with unflagging interest to the close the wonderful feat of mental abstraction and chess memory which M. Harrwitz presented on the occasion without, to all appearance, any harassing effect.

To better understand how the matches wee conducted, it may be as well to state that the Cafe de la Régence consists of two large salles on the ground floor; one fitted up as a cafe, properly so called, and the other provided with billiard tables and arranged as an estaminet, in which smoking is allowed. In both of these rooms, which are open to all, and in which chess is going on nearly all day long, the amateur is sure at all times to find someone willing to play a game. But above is situated a range of rooms appropriated to the use of the Paris Chess Club, and in these it was that the wonderful display took place on the occasion of which we speak.

In the centre of the largest of those rooms were placed two tables, at which were seated, each with a board and chessmen before him, M. Lecrivain and M. P-, the gentlemen with whom
M. Harrwitz was to engage in peaceful conflict. The room beyond, the last of the suite, was set apart for the mental player, all its fitting-up consisting merely of three or four chairs, and a table in one corner, on which were placed wine, sugar, and water, and other refreshments, as well as writing materials, to enable the gentleman who acted as secretary to mark down the moves when decided on.

The door of communication between the two rooms was kept open the whole time, so that every one could see that not only M. Harrwitz had no means of aiding his memory by any extraneous or tangible object, but that all intercourse with other persons was absolutely impossible. All round the other rooms were arranged chess-tables, on which the amateurs invited to be present followed the moves as they were played. Everything being declared in readiness, at about half-past nine the play commenced.

The manner in which the moves were
announced was this :- M. Lequesne, who had kindly consented to act as secretary, after having received instructions from M. Harrwitz wrote down the moves for both games, and then entering the other room and saying ' First game,' specified tho move fixed for it; next saying 'Second game', he acted in the same way for it. The moves, thus named, were then played on the board, and the two adversaries studied the reply to be given. When both gentlemen had decided M. Lequense marked down the moves as before, and then in turn announced aloud to M. Harrwitz, exactly in the same manner, the advance so given in each case.

The longest game, in which there was remark of fine play by both sides, lasted three hours and a half, and from the beginning to the end of that long space of time, during which the strain on the memory must havo been enormous, Mr. Harrwitz (says Galignani) never for a moment appeared in the slightest degree embarrassed, nor did he delay longer in his moves than he probably would have done in an ordinary game, when looking at the board. The replies certainly came more rapidly from him than from the other room, M. Lecrivain taking a considerable time to examine each position and playing with great caution; M. P-, on the other hand, moved at once, and, being naturally a quick player, soon got somewhat fatigued by the great length of time which he was obliged to remain unoccupied while waiting for the decisions of M. Lecrivain.

Anyone know details?

http://www.edochess.ca/batgirl/Harr...

A photograph of the player, maybe preferred to the above pen illustration, is also available:

http://www.edochess.ca/batgirl/Davi...

(Not sure the original source though)

Here is the first paragraph by Sarah:

<Daniel Harrwitz was born in Breslau, Germany (which is now Wroclaw, Poland ) on April 29, 1823 - just 5 years after Herr Anderssen, another Breslau native. When he was 22, he moved to Paris and became a regular at the Café de la Régence where he secured a good reputation as a chess player, particularly as a blindfold player. Then in 1846 he and Lionel Kieseritzky moved together to London.>

The <CG> intro is woefully shy of Harrwitz's various residencies, which are important to his development as a chess player.

Also, the match against Staunton in 1846 consisted of 21-games, 14 of which were played at odds (7 with pawn and two moves, the other 7 with pawn and move).

But, as batgirl notes:

<Staunton won the first section (Pawn & two) 4-3; Harrwitz won the second section (Pawn & one) 6-1; and Staunton won the final (even) section 7-0.

http://www.chessarch.com/excavation...

Where Harrwitz 1853 challenge to Staunton is published. This match was never undertaken, but as batgirl notes:

<Staunton continued to refuse to play Harrwitz, but in all likelihood, Harrwitz was London's strongest player.>

Supposedly, Staunton turned down the match, but the exact reasons are very complicated. I've seen some mention it was done in insulting fashion. Some of the long story is retold on the pages of the <Chess Player's Chronicle>:

https://books.google.com/books?id=7... (scroll down 1/2 page to begin)

and also here:

https://books.google.com/books?id=7...

One must remember that the <Chess Player's Chronicle> was basically Staunton's mouthpiece, as he was editor (and owner).

On the other hand, Harrwitz became editor of the <British Chess Review> during the same period:

<The second match (ed- against Williams) spanned 1852-53 and Harrwitz won that one 7-2. It was during the second match that Harrwitz took a job as editor of the British Chess Review.> (from batgirl's bio)

Some people have written that Staunton only kept on at the <Chess Player's Chronicle> to maintain access to the public during the Harrwitz match debacle:

https://books.google.com/books?id=C...

Harding's <Eminent Victorian Chess Players: Ten Biographies> p60-63

That match never same about, yet Morphy's trip is basically viewed as his crowning as World Chess Championship (such as it was at the time).

But who exactly did he beat to take the "crown"?

Besides Staunton, Harrwitz must be viewed as one of the strongest players at the time.

<In 1848 Harrwitz returned the Breslau for a visit. He played a relatively unknown chess problemist named Adolf Anderssen. The match called for the best out of eleven but when it reached 5 -5, they mutually agreed to end it. [...]

In 1856 Harrwitz moved to Paris and settled in as the club professional at the Café de la Régence. He beat Jules Arnous De Rivière in a match 5-2. Then came Morphy > > (batgirl again)

Edward Winter has an entire article devoted to early uses of the term WCC -

http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/...

Where we find:

<(Regarding the Morphy v Harrwitz match): ‘… no man living can tell whether, or no, these two gentlemen are not now engaged in fighting for the Chess championship of the whole world!’ C.H. Stanley, Harper’s Weekly, 9 October 1858.>

Also in <The World of Chess> by Saidy and Lessing on p104:

<

Harrwitz, the great Prussian player, had a sharp tongue as well as sharp chess ability. In his match with Staunton he made a move which; caused lengthy consideration on the part of the English master. Staunton leaned back in his chair and stroked his forehead, giving the spectators the impression that he was undergoing great mental agonies. The more he looked at the position, the less he liked it. At length he savagely exclaimed, "Well, I've lost a move." and plunked down a piece.

Harrwitz, coolly rising In his place, jingled the bell to call a waiter. Upon one coming: "Walter, look about for a move! Mr. Staunton has lost one." ?

--Staten Islander.

>

Jon, Russell, or Chris also seem good:

https://www.bustle.com/articles/509...

And so, in return, a video which maybe can't be heartily recommended, but is both off and apropos...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG9...

<Waiters>