The first American Chess Congress New York 1857

Sixteen players took part in the First American Chess Congress (New York, 1857), a knockout tournament in which draws where not counted. The rounds consisted of individual matches won by the first player to score three (or, in case of the final round, five) victories. Paul Morphy became champion, crushing Louis Paulsen 6:2 (+5 -1 =2) in the final*. Lichtenhein won the play-off for the third place against Raphael. Morphy's total result was +14 -1 =3, or 86 %, but it was to be the only tournament in which he ever took part; thereafter his serious chess was confined to matches, although he also played many blindfold, consultations, odds and other casual games.

In addition to 67 games and 53 problems, this tournament book, compiled by Daniel Willard Fiske, contains a wealth of historical information, particularly on American Chess. The reader will find, for instance, articles regarding Paul Morphy himself, Benjamin Franklin's view on chess, and the history of chess automatons in America (by George Allen). Also included in the volume is a bibliography of chess literature published in the United States up to 1859.

Christiaan M. Bijl
*The fourth Morphy-Paulsen game, which ended in a draw, is not included in this tournament book, but may be found in Geza Maróczy's Paul Morphy (vol. 5 of the Tschaturanga series, pp. 42-43).

This is the only tournament in which Paul Morphy participated.


Sixteen players took part in the First American Chess Congress (New York, 1857), a knockout tournament in which draws where not counted. The rounds consisted of individual matches won by the first player to score three (or, in case of the final round, five) victories. Paul Morphy became champion, crushing Louis Paulsen 6:2 (+5 -1 =2) in the final*. Lichtenhein won the play-off for the third place against Raphael. Morphy's total result was +14 -1 =3, or 86 %, but it was to be the only tournament in which he ever took part; thereafter his serious chess was confined to matches, although he also played many blindfold, consultations, odds and other casual games.

In addition to 67 games and 53 problems, this tournament book, compiled by Daniel Willard Fiske, contains a wealth of historical information, particularly on American Chess. The reader will find, for instance, articles regarding Paul Morphy himself, Benjamin Franklin's view on chess, and the history of chess automatons in America (by George Allen). Also included in the volume is a bibliography of chess literature published in the United States up to 1859.

Christiaan M. Bijl
*The fourth Morphy-Paulsen game, which ended in a draw, is not included in this tournament book, but may be found in Geza Maróczy's Paul Morphy (vol. 5 of the Tschaturanga series, pp. 42-43).