The Battle of New Orleans

Johann Lowenthal was a professional English chess master in the 19th century. Lowenthal was originally born in Budapest, the son of a Jewish merchant. He was educated at the gymnasium of his native city. In 1846, he won a match against Carl Hamppe in Vienna (+5 -4 =0). He recieved a civil appointment under the administration of Louis Kossuth in 1848. On the downfall of the latter, Lowenthal was expelled from Hungary, and he emigrated to America (1849). In 1851 he went to London , and thenceforward resided permanently in England. At the Manchester tourney of 1857 Lowenthal defeated Adolf Anderssen for first place.

In his visit to New Orleans, Lowenthal played Paul Morphy on two seperate occasions, losing a total of three games straight. He was one of the masters to play a match against Morphy after the latter's arrival in London in 1858. Morphy won with a score of nine wins, three losses and two draws. "...I am convinced that I was vanquished by superior strength," Lowenthal said about the match, as reported by the Englishman Frederick Edge. No doubt aware that chess was Lowenthal's only source of livelihood, and conscious to not be considered a professional player himself, Morphy after winning the match stakes of £100, presented Lowenthal with a gift of furniture valued at £120 for his new house.