Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 May 1880 — The Fascinations of Chess. [ARTICLE]

The Fascinations of Chess.

ThEre are curious, but well-authenti-cated, anecdotes showing what fascinations chess possesses for some minds. We have heard of one of her Majesty's ships being nearly run ashore through the Captain, absorbed in his combinations, not heeding the repealed representations of his Lieutenant that they were getting uncommonly near the land. There was once a Caliph of B gdad who would not be disturbed in his game, though-his city was being carried by assault. And Charles XII. of Sweden, ’ when hardly beset by the Turks in his house at Bender, was at least as much interested in beating his antagonist across the board as in beating off the Turks. Again, an Elector of Saxony, taken prisoner, at the battle of Muhlberg by tbe Emperor Charles V., was playing chess with a fellowErtaoner when tidings were brought to im that he had been sentenced to death. He looked up sos a moment to remark upon the irregularity of the proceeding, and then resumed the game, which, to Jus great delight, he won. When we add that Frederick the Great and MarshaT Saxe were enthusiasts for the game, who will say it is not a pastime in which it is worth while to excel? Though many persons are debarred by other occupations from devoting to it sufficient attention, those who nave the leisure may remember the dictum of the Duke of Wellingtpn, which is applicable to all pursuits, that “ what is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”— Saturday Review.