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Paul Morphy

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Chess Champ

The Resume

    (June 22, 1837-July 10, 1884)
    Born in New Orleans, Louisiana
    Won the first American Chess Congress (1857)
    After a series of victories in Europe, was considered the unofficial world chess champion

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a child prodigy.
    He retired from competition after only two years.
    Although he had a law degree, his practice was unsuccessful and he lived mainly off the family fortune.
    He became increasingly reclusive and paranoid and would only eat food prepared by his mother or sister.
    He died of a stroke reportedly caused by jumping into a cold bath after a long walk on a hot day.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was never formally taught chess and learned on his own by watching other players.
    Europe's leading player, Adolf Anderssen, explained his loss with the comment, 'I win my games in seventy moves, but Mr. Morphy wins his in twenty.'
    While studying for the bar, he memorized the Louisiana law code.
    His law practice failed partly because of his opposition to secession during the Civil War.
    Bobby Fischer said, 'A popularly held theory about Paul Morphy is that if he returned to the chess world today and played our best contemporary players, he would come out the loser. Nothing is further from the truth. In a set match, Morphy would beat anybody alive today.'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 7 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 10 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 12 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 18 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 6 Votes: 66.67% Annoying