GAMES PLAYED BY MR. PHILIDOR, THE Nine following Games were played by Mr. Philidor, giving the move in all of them he playing the Black in Games 92 to 97; and the White in 98, 99, and 100: Game 92 was played against Count Bruhl. Game 93, against Mr. Bowdler. Game 94, against Mr. Maseres; to whom he gave the King's Bishop's Pawn. VOL. I. L The before-mentioned Three Games were played, at the same time, without Mr. Philidor seeing either of the tables. Game 95, against Count Bruhl. Game 96, against Mr. Nowell; to whom he gave the King's Bishop's Pawn. Game 97, against Mr. Leycester, with the same advantage. The above were also played by him, at the same time, without seeing either of the tables. Game 98, against the Hon. H. Y. Conway. Game 99, against Capt. Smith. Game 100, against Mr. Sheldon. These were also played, at the same time, Mr. Philidor looking over the table of Game 98; but not seeing either of the others. Mr. Philidor went through the whole with astonishjug accuracy; and often corrected mtstakes in those who had the board before them. He sat with his back to the tables, and one of the spectators informed him of the moves of his antagonist (unless he himself called them) who then, by his direction, played his Pieces as he dictated. The idea of the intellectual labour that he was suffering, at first suggested painful sensations to those present; which, however, were soon dissipated, as he seldom paused above half a mi nute, and seemed to undergo little mental fatigue, being somewhat jocose through the whole, and uttering occasionally many pleasantries that diverted the company. When the intrinsic difficulty of the game is considered, as well as the great skill of his adversaries, he not having inexperienced, but some of the best players in Europe to contend with, who, of course, conducted it with the most subtle complications, this exertion seems nearly miraculous, and deserves to be recorded as a proof, at once interesting and astonishing, of the power of human intelligence. |