NAPOLEON at CHESS

Napoleon Bonaparte, one of the greatest military strategists in history, had    a well-documented interest in chess. Though not considered a strong player by today’s standards, he was deeply fascinated by the game’s parallels to warfare: maneuvering, sacrifices, traps, and decisive strikes.

Chess was more than a pastime for Napoleon—it was a mental exercise that mirrored his approach to command. His aggressive style on the board reflected the bold tactics he used in his campaigns. He was known to play during military downtime, and some historians believe the game helped him clear his mind and think ahead, much like he did when planning battles like Austerlitz.

There are even anecdotes of Napoleon playing games while on campaign, often against his generals or aides. He reportedly disliked losing, and would sometimes overturn the board in frustration—revealing both his passion and pride.

For Napoleon, the chessboard was a symbolic battlefield: one where intellect, nerve, and vision clashed without bloodshed. A perfect reflection of the man who sought control over both land and destiny—one calculated move at a time.

In his name there is also an opening that i racommend you do NOT play.

But the real question is: what was his ELO? It is not possible to know for sure since there is no certain data and the score was introduced long after his death, we can assume a score of 1200 if not less.