Paul Morphy: The First American Chess Superstar

Before grandmaster (GM) Bobby Fischer–America’s first and only World Chess Champion–there was Paul Morphy, a young chess prodigy turned international player whom numerous greats like Fischer and multi-time World Champion GM Garry Kasparov have hailed as far ahead of his time. Morphy is considered by many to be among the best chess masters in history, and his brilliant games are still studied by players of all ages and skill levels to this day. 

Who Was Paul Morphy?

Born in New Orleans in 1837, Morphy showed promise as a chess player from the age of 9, when he began to earn a reputation as one of the best players in the city. By age 13, Morphy had defeated a famed American war general and a Hungarian master named Johann Lowenthal in numerous games. He then took a break from chess to attend college and law school. 

Morphy returned to the board in 1857 and won the top prize at the first American Chess Congress, predecessor to the U.S. Chess Championship. Following his victory, he traveled to Europe to challenge the era’s best players and proved his prowess on the global stage by defeating opponents from across the continent, earning himself the unofficial title of “Chess Champion of the World.” Among his challengers was German master Adolf Anderssen, believed to be the world’s top player at the time.

Upon his return to the U.S., Morphy stepped back from competitive chess and shifted his efforts to chess journalism, writing about the game for a column in the New York Ledger and co-editing a publication called Chess Monthly. His success triggered a chess craze in New Orleans dubbed “Morphy Mania” and inspired a level of national interest in the game that wouldn’t be seen again until Fischer’s rise to fame in the mid-20th century.

What Made Morphy Masterful

Paul Morphy was exceptional at applying the opening principles and was among the first players to place a focus on early and rapid piece development, which is foundational to modern chess play. He was also highly skilled at making well-calculated sacrifices that placed him in winning positions. 

Among the best examples of Morphy’s talent is his Opera Box game, widely thought to be the most famous chess game ever played. This casual match, played in the audience of an opera during his tour of Europe, showcases Morphy’s sharp decision making and ability to use quick development to take control of his games and deliver decisive wins. 

"[Morphy] wins his games in seventeen moves, and I in seventy." - Adolf Anderssen on the difficulty of playing Morphy

Why SKCA Students Study Morphy

After being introduced to Morphy’s games in school-based chess clubs, developing students can analyze his play in greater depth through our online Academy program classes. Morphy’s offensive creativity, control of open files, and careful defense of his pieces demonstrate how a chess master makes the most of every move. His battles against Placido Dominguez, amateur James McConnell, and German master Louis Paulsen, among others, can help students understand how use of the opening principles is key to strong chess.