Chess with Napoleon Bonaparte.
“The chessboard is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the Universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature, and the player on the other side is hidden from us”
-(Thomas Huxley)
History had many people who made their name through their character, Hard work, and persistence. Chess history is nonetheless very interesting. The history of chess can be traced back nearly 1500 years to its earliest known predecessor, called chaturanga, in India; its prehistory is the subject of speculation. From India, it spread to Persia. Following the Arab invasion and conquest of Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to Europe via Spain (Al Andalus) and Italy (Emirate of Sicily). The game evolved roughly into its current form by about 1500 CE.
Akbar often amused himself by playing chess, but he didn’t use ordinary chess equipment. Akbar liked to do things in a big way! The monarch used an entire garden as his chessboard, and dancing girls were his chess pieces. While these living chess pieces stood on the squares of the garden chessboard, Akbar sat in a tower above the board and called out his moves!
An eighteenth-century ruler from the Madras region of India used chess pieces 25 feet high, mounted on wheels. It took 50 men to move a single one of these chess pieces!
Today's blog belongs to a great military commander. Very well-renowned by him name Napoleon Bonaparte.
Napoleon Bonaparte-
Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a Corsica-born French military commander and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars. He was the de facto leader of the French Republic as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, then Emperor of the French from 1804 until 1814, and again in 1815. Napoleon's political and cultural legacy endures to this day, as a highly celebrated and controversial leader. He initiated many liberal reforms that have persisted in society and is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. His campaigns are still studied at military academies worldwide.
Napoleon chess carrier-
A useful starting point for the present overview of the Napoleonic chess connection is H.J.R. Murray’s A History of Chess (1913),
"Napoleon was a persistent but very weak player. Three games purporting to be played by him are in existence. One of these (a Scotch Game) is said to have been played, in St Helena between Napoleon and Bertrand, and first printed in Capt. Kennedy’s Reminiscences in the Life of Aug. Fitzsnob (Waifs and Strays, 1862), is certainly fictitious. The second game said to have been played with Madame De Remusat, 29 March 1804, and a third game (I.L.N., 1844, 352), played against the Automaton in Vienna, is also of very doubtful authenticity."
Throughout his life, Napoleon had a deep love for chess but was not a player of the first rank. He did not have time to study the game in depth; he opened poorly; he gave many signs of impatience if his opponent took too long over a move. However, he would sometimes liven up and play fine moves.
According to Labourdonnais, when Napoleon was preparing for his Polish campaign he was playing chess one evening with Marshal Berthier in the Tuileries Palace when it was announced that the Persian ambassador desired an audience. Since Napoleon continued to play chess, the ambassador gained his (partial) attention by claiming that the Persian cavalry was the best in the world. Responding to this, Napoleon, still engaged in his chess game, wrote out orders for his cavalry (40,000 men) to go on parade at the Tuileries the following morning. The colorful George Walker (Frazer’s Magazine, December 1840) is given as the source for this story.
To begin with his games, we have 4 Matches to analyze.
Game one -
Madame De Remusat vs Napoleon Bonaparte
In this game napoleon completely humiliates his opponent with his piece activity.
As you see here, Napolean likes to bring out his piece back and knows the idea of piece development. As far as the opening is concerned, there was no error. There was just a tactical error that his opponent missed. Eventually, chess games at that time were wild because no theories were developed.
But understanding the fact that his knight can cover the center square first shows how interested he was, really in Chess. No one plays Nf6 unless they know what they are doing.
Also, for curious people, this was Alekhine Defense: Maroczy Variation.
Find the hanging piece in above game -
Game two -
Madame De Remusat vs Napoleon Bonaparte
This match is kind-off funny because Napoleon trolled her again by mating her in the same pattern but with white pieces and a different opening.
I guess this is some sort of trap idea he was familiar with, and he used to trap them, but if you analyze it. You will know he blundered the same way as in the last match.
Well, if you noticed the small h3 move, then you know napoleon was forcing his opponent to take in the center. This shows that he is although ready for attack, lets his opponent attack him first and makes them think they are winning, and once it is his time, he will go all in. A true combat person in himself.
Game three -
Napoleon Bonaparte vs The Turk
When Napoleon entered Berlin, in 1806, somebody thought of the neglected Turk, and Mr Maelzel, a clever mechanic, was ordered to in pest and repair the dusty old enigma. From cobwebbed dreams of King Fritz and the brave Empress, the veteran chess player awakened to encounter a greater man, fresh from the field of recent victories. On this remarkable meeting we may dwell for a moment, since its history has been faithfully preserved by an eye witness and has never before met the public view.
The emperor, on this occasion, signified his wish to do battle with the Turk, and accordingly Maelzel arranged a second table, near that of the Turk, proposing to repeat the moves on both tables. This was Maelzel’s usual mode of exhibition. Napoleon, characteristically overstepping the barrier which separated the Turk from the audience, struck his hand on the automaton’s chessboard and exclaimed, ‘I will not contend at a distance! We fight face to face.’ A grave nod indicated the Turk’s assent, and the game began. The emperor was disastrously vanquished. Shortly afterward a second exhibition was ordered. On this memorable occasion the emperor placed a large magnet on the automaton’s board. Maelzel smilingly moved the iron, so as not to embarrass the game. The Turk played on with his usual skill; the fatal échec (check) was heard again and again, and a second time Napoleon was defeated.
Here from the match, you see his opponent was good. He even found a mate in 7 at the end. This kind of proves that napoleon was not good for the long game.
Also in King's pawn opening, you should not give your opponent tempo. he will attack you.
Game Four -
Napoleon Bonaparte vs Henri Gatien Bertrand
As I say, every player's best game comes from the most positional game or a best sacrificial game.
In this game, you will see pieces flying all over the board and how Napoleon Bonaparte crushed his opponent.
This is the match where he showed aggressiveness and piece activity, Which is vital in a match. Also, he found a mate in 5 In the end.
Well, to conclude there are a lot of theories and predictions as to whether this game is real or not since some claim that the same matches were played in the 19th century. But isn't it amazing that the history you learn in your childhood later, you find out that the person loved the same game you love. If you find this amazing, my next blog will be related to Einstein. So you better be prepared for tomorrow.
Napoleon was discussed at the end of an article by James Mortimer entitled ‘How to Win at Chess’ on page 9 of the Daily Mail, 6 October 1906,
