(_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, B. King at the B. Queen's
4th square. Knight's square.
W. Bishop at W. King's, B. Queen at the King's
4th square. Knight's 2nd square.
W. Rook at W. Queen's Rook, B. Rook at King's Knight's square.
2nd square.
Two White Pawns, one at B. Rook at the W. Queen's Knight's
B. Queen's Bishop's 2nd square.
3rd square,
the other at its
Knight's 3rd square.
_White_. _Black._
1st Rook to the B. Queen's 1. B. King takes the Rook.
Rook's square checking.
2nd The Pawn at the B. Queen's
Bishop's 3rd square,
which discovers check-mate.