Stuck at the Paris Opera in 1858, 21-year-old University of Louisiana (Now Tulane) graduate Paul Morphy ran into German Duke Karl II of Braunschweig and French Count Isouard de Vauvenargues. Apparently, none were very interested in 'The Barber Of Seville’, although some say ‘Norma’ was playing, and the trio set up a chessboard in the Duke’s theater box, with Morphy, who learned to play at nine years old, taking on both noblemen at once.

Because of his skill at piece development and logical strategy, Morphy stunningly brought the curtain down on his two opponents in just seventeen moves, including a queen sacrifice in his penultimate attack. Witnesses were thrilled by the match, and reports of it made Morphy Chess’s unofficial world champion for the next three years.

The underdog story frames a game that has been studied by chess beginners and grandmasters ever since, and despite the brevity of his career(he retired from tournament play in 1862, and returned home to New Orleans to begin his law practice), Paul Morphy is considered the greatest American player of his century.

More Info: gambiter.com