Chess in 1799
by Bill Wall

In London, George Atwood (1745-1807) defeated Jonathan Wilson in a chess match, scoring 3-0.

In 1799, Peter Pratt, a weak player, wrote and printed The Theory of Chess: A Treatise. It was printed anonymously and sold in London by Samuel Bagster (1772-1851). The author advocated the renaming of the Queen to Minister.

In 1799, Napoleon (1769-1821) played chess with General Beauvoir at Mantua, Italy.

In 1799, Johann Christian Bernstorff Uflacker wrote Ueber den geist des schachspiels (About the Spirit of Chess). It was published in Gerstenberg, Germany.

In 1799, Philippe Ambroise Durand (1799-1880) was born in Fresne-la-Mere, France. He wrote the first book devoted to the practical endgame in 1871.

In 1799, Captain Hiram Cox (1760-1799) wrote a paper called On the Burmha Game of Chess compared with the Indian, Chinese, and Persian Games of the same Denomination. He came up with the theory that the origin of chess was a four-player game that originated in India in approximately 3000 BCE. This theory has since been debunked. Cox obtained his knowledge of Burmese chess during his residence at the court of Amarapura.

In 1799, Thomas Hood (1799-1845) was born. He was a literary figure who had an interest in chess.

In 1799, Benjamin Franklin's Morals of Chess was republished in London. It was first written in 1779.

In June 1799, James McHenry (1753-1816), Secretary of War, sent George Washington a box containing military figures. He wrote "Perhaps they may occasionally server as a substitute for the chess board." Washington wrote back that he had not had time to examine and compare the figures with the instructions. Washington died on December 14, 1799 after riding for hours in rain and light snow and remained in damp attire throughout dinner. He caught a bad cold and was bled four times (80 ounces, or 40% of his total blood volume). He was 67.

On November 25, 1799, Hyacinth R. Agnel (1799-1871) was born in New York City. He was a professor (taught French) and Army Colonel at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a chess problemist. In 1845, he formed the first chess club at West Point.





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