Ecclesiastic Maneuvers

"In the Middle Ages, the Roman Church condemned chess, as it did many other forms of amusement, as a tool of the devil. In later times, however, the church not only has softened its position, but has come around to warmly encouraging the royal game; Paul VI commended the teaching of chess to children, suggesting that if they were occupied over the chess board, instead of allowed to play with war toys, the cause of peace might be served. American Grandmaster William Lombardy, a Roman Catholic priest, was encouraged by his superiors to take part in international tournaments and other chess important events, he was Fischer's second in the famous 1972 World Championship "Match of the Century" in Iceland." (From the book "All About Chess" by Al Horowitz.)

The winner of the following brilliant game was another Roman Catholic priest, Gioacchino Cardinal Pecci, later to become Pope Leo XIII. It was played in Perurgia, around 1875, and it was recorded by a famous theologian, Maurice de la Taille.