An Historical Disquisition on the Game of Chess; addressed to Count de Bruhl, F.A.S. By the Hon. Daines Barrington

Daines Barrington

doi:10.1017/S0261340900024474

An Historical Disquisition on the Game of Chess; addressed to Count de Bruhl, F.A.S. By the Hon. Daines Barrington

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 July 2012

Daines Barrington

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As you are so distinguished a player at Chess, what I have lately gleaned with regard to the introduction of this most capital game into Europe cannot but be interesting to you.

Type: Research Article
Information: Archaeologia , Volume 9 , 1789 , pp. 16 - 38

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261340900024474 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1789

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^{page 16 note [a]} There is besides a long article on this subject in Menage's Dictionary, and a Dissertation of M. Freret's in the Vth vol. of the Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions; I do not by this mean that they are the only treatises upon chess.

^{page 16 note [b]} From the names of some of the pieces.

^{page 17 note [c]} Hyde procured this information from a Chinese of Nankin, named Foking, in which part of China probably these alterations had been lately introduced.

^{page 17 note [d]} The board at Arch-Chess had 100 squares, instead of 64.—See Fr Piacenza Torino 1683, 4to.

^{page 17 note [e]} I may add, continuing to be civilised through such a succession of centuries.

^{page 17 note [f]} Amongst these, Vossius, Salmasius, and P. Sirmond.

^{page 18 note [g]} Sometimes written , and the game .

^{page 18 note [h]} .

^{page 19 note [i]} . Lloyd's Poetical Dictionary, article Palamedes; where he refers to a tragedy of Æschylus for this passage.

^{page 19 note [k]} By this line the invention of dice is also attributed to Palamedes, which ingenious discovery, it is much wished for the benefit of society, that he had reserved to himself.

^{page 20 note [l]} Lloyd, Dict. Poet. Art. Palamedes.

^{page 20 note [m]} Herodotus ascribes the invention of most games to the Lydians amongst which he enumerates αστρκγκλοι together with dice and balls. But the cause of these inventions is highly ridiculous. Lydia had been visited by a famine, and the inhabitants abstained from eating every other day for 18 years, whilst they were thus amused.—Clio.

^{page 21 note [n]} Hic mihi bis seno numeratur tessera puncto,

Caloulus hic gemino discolor hoste perit. Martial, l. xiv.

Which two lines are written upon a present of a board for that game.

^{page 21 note [o]} Probably so styled from the unexpected attacks which the players made on each other.

^{page 23 note [p]} The Poem is addressed to Calpurnins Piso.

^{page 23 note [q]} As a proof of this, no one can read two lines of Vida's famous Poem on Chess, which are not descriptive of some event peculiar to that game.

^{page 24 note [r]} I will add that the first line,

Te si fortè juvat studiorum pondere fessum,

Non languere tamen, &c.

cannot probably relate to chess, which can scarcely be considered as a recreation, whilst it requires so much consideration and attention.

^{page 24 note [s]} In Arabic it is termed Shatvangj.—See Hyde de Ludis Orient.

^{page 24 note [t]} For these at length, see Du Fresne, Art. Ζατρικιον.

^{page 25 note [u]} “Chi andó dormire, e chi a ginocare con scacchi, e chi a tavole.—

Decameron G. 6.

Again:

“Qui e bello e fresco stare, ed hacci come vedete, e tavolieri, e schacchieri.”

Ibid. G. 7.

^{page 25 note [x]} His name was Mangiolini, though I cannot now refer to my authority. A Saracen, called Buzecca, was also a distinguished player at Florence, and flourished before Mangiolini.

^{page 26 note [y]} See the Crusca Dictionary, Art. Gambetto.

^{page 26 note [z]} The term of rook is also Italian, and often signifies a castle:

“Sicura quasi rocca in alto monte.” Dante, Purg.

^{page 26 note [a]} Phillip II. to whom may be added Sebastian, King of Portugal, and many other distinguished persons of those times. Pietro Carrera on Chess, 1617.

^{page 26 note [b]} This is mentioned by Salvio who was a Doctor of Laws, and may be said to have written the Memoirs of the most distinguished Chess Players, in the sixteenth century. The name of the Spanish player above alluded to was Ruy Lopes. See Salvio on Chess, Napoli, 4to. 1634. The Spaniards probabably learnt chess, or at least became adepts, during their Italian wars, and more particularly from the Neapolitans.

^{page 26 note [c]} I do not know from what nation we have borrowed this term of drafts. That of dames is more intelligible, as the common pieces, by reaching the top square of the antagonist, become queens.

^{page 27 note [d]} His christian name was Paolo. He died at Naples in 1598, and his burial was attended by most of the nobility. See Pietro Carrera on Chess, 1617, 4to. Boi was much regarded by Phillip II. and Urban VII. who is said to have offered him a Bishoprick, but Boi would not take orders. See Ibid. and also Salvio, who beat Boi at Naples, but when he was past 70.

^{page 27 note [e]} Probably thence born in the Morea, but early transplanted to Calabria. Though originally very poor, he won 50,000 ducats at Paris, by playing at chess. From Paris he went to England, where he was nearly murdered, and lost most of his effects: from thence to India, where he died, and left his substance to the Jesuits.

^{page 27 note [f]} They who may wish to see more anecdotes with regard to the chess players of the 16th century may consult the Italian writers before cited, and more particularly the Memoirs of Putti, who was termed the Cavalier Errante, or, Chess Knight Errant. His real name was Leonardo da Cutti. When he was very young he was beat by a Spaniard (Rui Lopes) who afterwards returned to his own country.—In the mean time Putti shut himself up for two years, that he might become a greater proficient, after which he pursued Lopes to Madrid, and beat him. See also Mr. Twiffe's curious Anecdotes of Chess, published since this Differtation was laid before the Society of Antiquaries.

^{page 28 note [g]} I am just informed that this ancient method of accounting hath been disused about two years ago. It took place in Easter Term, when the expences of the King's Houshold were pasted. One officer called out, “What have you there?” To which another answered (having piled half-pence and farthings on the square, in a regular progression), “such a sum.” If this agreed with the supposed one by the first officer, he then pronounced it a good sum. Thus the account was understood by those who were present, though they could not write. Hence perhaps to check an account.

^{page 28 note [h]} See Pl. XIV. p. 170.

^{page 29 note [i]} Fers is said to signify, in the Persian language, General or Minister, and is applied to that peice at Chess, which we term the Queen.

^{page 29 note [k]} The Chess-rook is now more commonly called the castle: its form may be seen in books of Blasonry, which hath not the least similitude to a castle. The no uncommon name of Rook may possibly be derived from hence, as also the term of being rook'd at play.

^{page 29 note [l]} See Edmondson's Heraldry.

^{page 30 note [m]} Caxton herein attributes the invention of Chess to Philometer the Philosopher for the instruction of a wicked King.

^{page 30 note [n]} Fenn's Letters, vol. II. p. 331. This letter is from Mrs. Paston to her husband.

^{page 31 note [o]} See a publication entituled, The Phœnix, 2 vols. 8vo. 1707. The paper is from Sir Robert Naunton, who was Secretary to James I.

^{page 31 note [p]} In this reign Saule published instructions for playing at Chess, which he dedicates to the Countess of Bedford, who therefore was probably a proficient at this game.

^{page 31 note [q]} The first edition was printed at Paris.

^{page 32 note [r]} Vol. I. p. 445.

^{page 33 note [s]} Pasquier's Recherches de la France, L. iv. ch. 31.

^{page 33 note [t]} This term of pawn is probably taken from the Spanish word Peon, which signifies ȧ foot soldier.

^{page 33 note [u]} His name was Buzzeca.

^{page 34 note [x]} Vol. V. of Memoirs of the Academy of Inscriptions.

^{page 34 note [y]} The name of the town is Rockstet, which, had for its arms a Chess-rook, and it was obliged to give to every new Bishop a Silver-Chess-Board with silver men, one set of which was gilt. The Chess-rook hath not the least affinity to the bird we so call. Its figure in Blasonry may be seen in Heraldical Treatises.

^{page 34 note [z]} Cox's Travels —See also Olearius.

^{page 34 note [a]} I am informed by Mr. Professor Thorkelin, who is by birth an Icelander, that Chess (called Shak) continues to be an amusement in that island, and by abler players than are to be found in Copenhagen.—He also informs me that allusions to this game are to be found in a very copious collection of Icelandic MSS. several of which will be published by the munificence of the King of Denmark.— The character of these MSS is the Anglo-Saxon.

^{page 35 note [b]} Where this piece is termed Schach, or Emperor.

^{page 35 note [c]} It is admitted, however, that sometimes near the conclusion of the game, his Majesty is obliged to be rather more active, but even then from his great dignity, he can only move a single step. The instance of the King's moving two steps (when he castles) can take place only once during the game.

^{page 36 note [d]} Sometimes Vizir or Minister.

^{page 36 note [e]} Hyde indeed mentions a sett of Chess-men, preserved at St. Denys, which belonged to Charlemagne, and four of which were Kings and Queens. That these pieces cannot be so ancient seems to be sufficiently evident, both from the set being preserved entire for near ten centuries, and from the principal pieces having Arabic characters on their back with the name of the maker. If Charlemagne was a player at Chess, he would have probably employed an artist of his own dominions.

^{page 37 note [f]} The term of being mated seems also to be derived from the Italian Ammazzato or killed.

^{page 37 note [g]} The King's Fool was properly the King's Butt, who, being laughed at and ridiculed by his Majesty, was permitted to cut his jokes on the courtiers.

^{page 38 note [h]} The Pawns in Caxton's time were of different figures, and not all uniform as at present. The Pawn before the Queen (for example) represents the Queen's Spicer or Apothecary. See Caxton's Book on Chess.

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An Historical Disquisition on the Game of Chess; addressed to Count de Bruhl, F.A.S. By the Hon. Daines Barrington

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