Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 edition. Excerpt: ... 106 CHESS, WITHOUT THE CHESS-BOARD. {From " Fraser's Magazine" March, 1840.) The art of playing chess without seeing the board, or men, has hitherto received less attention, as a branch of our fascinating science, that from its difficulties of acquirement it would appear to deserve. The thing has been talked of, and read of, and sung of, and chronicled on the golden tablets headed with the name of Philidor; but is only known, even now, to the multitude, as a dream. Those who can do it, say but little about it; those who cannot do it, protest " such mountebank tricks are below the notice of a gentleman." I really once heard these very words used in a chess-club, by a man who on most matters displays a fairish share of sense. But though sneering at every thing is a pretty sure mark of a weak head, yet, as the world goes, your sneerer plays the safe game; there being ever so huge a band of fellow-clowns around him, to echo back his slight and shallow jest. Whether the power of conducting a chess-game without seeing board or men be worth acquiring or not, the singular faculty in question is at least worth cooking, if the pot can be made boil, into a dish of pleasant gossip; and I here accordingly present my chess-brethren with such gleanings anent the subject, as my pen has been able to scrape together. My lamented chess-friend, the late Alexander M'Donnell (too early taken from us), who excelled in this, as in every other department of chess, was accustomed jokingly to say, that "the only things which spoilt chess were the board and men." Let me see, during this sitting, whether I can make any converts to so novel a species of doctrine. To exaggerate the difficulties attendant on playing chess well, in the usual manner, is hardly...
