CHESS.
(For the Mirror.)
Colonel Stewart used frequently to play at chess with Lord Stair, who was very fond of the game; but an unexpected checkmate used to put his lordship into such a passion, that he was ready to throw a candlestick or any thing else that was near him, at his adversary; for which reason the colonel always took care to be on his feet, to fly to the farthest corner of the room, where he said, "checkmate, my lord."
Tamerlane the Great.
The game of chess has been generally practised by the greatest warriors and generals; and some have even supposed that it was necessary to be well skilled in it. Tamerlane the Great was engaged in a game during the very time of the decisive battle with Bajazet, the Turkish emperor, who was defeated and taken prisoner.
Al Amin, the Khalif of Bagdad.
It is related of Al Amin, the Khalif of Bagdad, that he was engaged at chess with his freedman Kuthar, at the time when Al Manim's forces were carrying on the siege of that city, with so much vigour, that it was on the point of being carried by assault. The Khalif, when warned of his danger, cried out, "Let me alone, for I see Checkmate against Kuthar."
King John
Was engaged at chess when the deputies from Rouen came to acquaint him that their city was besieged by Philip Augustus; but he would not hear them until he had finished the game.
Ferrand Count of Flanders
Having been accustomed to amuse himself at chess with his wife, and being constantly beaten by her, a mutual hatred took place, which came to such a height, that when the count was taken prisoner at Bovines, she suffered him to remain a long time in prison, though she could easily have procured his release.
Boi, the Syracusan,
Was a very famous player at chess, and very much considered in the court of Spain, under King Philip II. He received many fine presents from that prince. Having the misfortune to be taken by the corsairs, and to see himself reduced to slavery, he found means to make those Turkish and savage men tractable, by his skill at chess. They admired him for it, treated him civilly, and exacted no other ransom from him than the lessons he gave them for some time in that game.
Two Persians had engaged in such deep play, that the whole fortune of one was gained by his opponent. He who played the white was the ruined man, and, made desperate by his loss, offered his favourite wife as his last stake. The game was carried on until he would have been check-mated by his adversary's next move. The lady, who had observed the game from the window above, cried out to her husband, "to sacrifice his castle and save his wife."
Situation of the Game.
| White. | Black. |
| W. King at its Rook, 4th square. | B. King at the B. Queen's Knight's square. |
| W. Bishop at W. King's, 4th square. | B. Queen at the King's Knight's 2nd square. |
| W. Rook at W. Queen's Rook, 2nd square. | B. Rook at King's Knight's square. |
| Two White Pawns, one at B. Queen's Bishop's 3rd square, the other at its Knight's 3rd square. | B. Rook at the W. Queen's Knight's 2nd square. |
| White. | Black. |
| 1st Rook to the B. Queen's Rook's square checking. | 1. B. King takes the Rook. |
| 2nd The Pawn at the B. Queen's Bishop's 3rd square, which discovers check-mate. | |