The Chess Great You've Never Heard Of: Paul Morphy
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I think on one of the "Greatest Players of all time" studies here on the site, they said that Morphy and Steinitz were straight up transported from their living room to today, they would be about 2400 Fide.
That seems extremely low. How much can we trust this CAPS system as an estimator of ELO?
Jun 8, 2017
0
#66
VladimirHerceg91 wrote:
That seems extremely low. How much can we trust this CAPS system as an estimator of ELO?
CAPS strikes me as attempt to deal with what is called Ratings Inflation. It seems to me that to some small degree, it may have succeeded.
I think rather than me give a long argument as to my dissatisfaction with finding Morphy only given a rating of 2400, let me say this.
Say Paul Morphy was to return today, without any benefit of learning more about chess in his absence under the tuition of a heavenly GM coach, I could concede a little reluctantly that on the first day back, he might in his rusty state play at about 2400 level.
But, given a few weeks, some kibbitzing on GM games, and reading a few good modern books, I feel he would in the top 20 current players in the world, and perhaps the top 10.
However, I do not think he would be seen much at the Paris Opera, as he would have a heavy training and tournament schedule.
Might I observe that our OP , possibly having got to know Morphy a bit better, is now becoming somewhat of a champion of our Champion.
His tone has become a tad less condescending, but Vlad the Inhaler, as I call him at times, irreverently, but affectionately in the main, has a serious side, I suspect.
P.S. at the risk of seeming to not respect the education of the general reader, I would tell those who have not read much history, that there was a figure called Vlad the Impaler, an attribute which rather spoilt his good points, none of which I know. But he was probably nice to his horse.
Interesting points.
I also wonder if Morphy was capable of more precise calculation even in his own time. But, the lack of skill from his opponents, made him ignore such complications. Maybe, he knew that even if a move he made wasn't completely sound his opponent wouldn't be able to refute it, and went along with it anyway.
MadMagister wrote:
BTW, Everyone knows about Morphy.
This is simply not true.
Jul 28, 2017
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#70
VladimirHerceg91 wrote:
MadMagister wrote:
BTW, Everyone knows about Morphy.
This is simply not true.
You are underrating your own sterling efforts, Vlad, which has done much to remedy what used to be appalling ignorance by the masses.
I hope the same does not happen to Don Bradman or Babe Ruth!
VladimirHerceg91 wrote:
Back when Paul Morphy played there was no such thing as an ELO rating.
What do you think Morphy's ELO would have been if he played in the modern era of Chess. Would he be as good as Peter Svidler?
Not sure about that ... Svidler isn't one of the "5 greats" of chess, but he most certainly would be everybody's 6th man.
dannyhume wrote:
VladimirHerceg91 wrote:
Back when Paul Morphy played there was no such thing as an ELO rating.
What do you think Morphy's ELO would have been if he played in the modern era of Chess. Would he be as good as Peter Svidler?
Not sure about that ... Svidler isn't one of the "5 greats" of chess, but he most certainly would be everybody's 6th man.
This is a great point. He was a true underachiever Svidler, if he put more time in the tactics trainer here on Chess.com he might have been the greatest ever. All it takes is 5 tactics a day to keep Magnus Carlsen away. I think Nakamura realized that and is trying to stay sharp by using this technique, but I'm afraid it might be too late for him, he's absorbed himself in bullet.
Nov 15, 2017
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#73
Are you kidding, right? Morphy was a star in the past, a living legend, a monster in chess. Everybody who is a little bit interested in chess history know who the guy is. Capablanca, Fischer, Kasparow, Morphy, Tal: all famous people, legends, even in thousand years chess players will know them.
But nice that you make people pay attention to his games.
But nice that you make people pay attention to his games.
Nov 15, 2017
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#74
Greco was a strong Italian player, and author of a very influential chess book. From the 17th century... Check Greco mate, it is from him.
The OP was clearly joking or provoking. To qualify as "great", a players has to be not just the world champion - there is always a world champion, or before there were world championships, players who were regarded as the best for a certain time - s/he has to be dominant. Not just eke out tournament and championship wins, but cut a swathe of destruction through all the top players of their era. Carlsen is not quite convincing yet, but Kasparov, Fischer, Botvinnik, Alekhine, Capablanca, Lasker, Steinitz and Morphy, and in womens' chess, Judit Polgar. Before the 19th century, the game was still emerging from the mists and it's hard to say who if anyone was dominant. There were great contributors to chess theory, like Philidor and Ruy Lopez, but many great theorists in the modern era, like Najdorf or Reti were also top players, but hardly dominant.
Nov 15, 2017
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#76
gspaulsson wrote:
The OP was clearly joking or provoking.
Indeed he was - the original post in this thread is a work of genius IMO.
Sometimes I feel like Salieri to Vlad's Mozart
Nov 15, 2017
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#77
ulfhednar1234 escribió:
VladimirHerceg91 wrote:
Greco, Ruy Lopez De Segura, Euwe, Wei Yi, Kasparov. Every chess player has studied them, admired them, and wanted to play like them. These are the "5 greats of Chess"
But I implore you, delve further into the history of our wonderful game, and you'll find a world of surreal imagination, and Chessing brilliancy.
Once upon a time, before the use of computers, and boring commitment to the all things positional, existed a completely different Chess world all together.
A world where sacrifices where common, and imaginative play encouraged.
This was an era of excitement, and beauty, and one Paul Morphy was it's greatest champion. Probably the most exciting player to ever live.
Yet, I feel he fails to be recognized. So I write to you all today. If you wish to see a Chess drama worthy of an Oscar nomination. Go on the Website known as "YouTube", and search for one of Paul Morphy's games. I assure you that you will not be disappointed.
Please share your thoughts on the great Paul Morphy once you have analyzed the Chess masterpieces he has left us with.
Thank you.
Greco?
Domenikos Theotokopoulos, "El Greco" (1541-1614) was a Greek artist who produced most of his work in Spain. He is famous for painting elongated chess pieces. Appreciated during his lifetime, his work was disdained by the next generation of chess players. His games rose to fame again after members of the hypermodern school, including Picasso, rediscovered him and reused some of his ideas.
