In 1744, the 18-year-old Fran?ois André Daniken Philidot (1726-1795) played two games of chess at the same time in a public attack. All blindfolded, Parisian society is fascinated. Although he lost one game and drew only another, the exhibition established Philidor as a preeminent chess master and breathed new life into the ancient practice of masked chess.

Calling Philidor's 1744 exhibition "one of the most extraordinary examples of the power of memory and imagination", his contemporary work, Chevalier de Jaucourt by Jean d'Alembert reveals how the masked chess game was How much has been forgotten.

In the 8th century Middle East, Sa'id bin Jubair (AD 665-714) became the first player in recorded history to play with his back to the board, as did his contemporary Muhammad bin Sirin, also enjoys the challenge of not watching football. At the time, chess was considered "disapproved" under *** laws, and one observer described masked chess practitioners as "aligned with the devil." In Florence in the 13th century, Buzeca (sometimes called Borzaga or Buchezza) played against three of the city-state's best chess players simultaneously, although he was blindfolded in only two games ( He won two games and played a third). While this may not be the first time this has happened, it is the first documented example of a single person competing blindfolded at the same time.

Blindfolded chess was apparently common in the *** world, with reports in the 14th century of a blind man named "Ala'addin" playing among the Egyptian nobles. Another blindfolded player named Nizam Ajami reportedly also plays multiple blindfolded games simultaneously, albeit in Damascus. By the 16th century, there were reports that numerous *** players could manage a staggering five blindfolded players playing the game simultaneously, although specific documented instances are difficult to come by.

However, none of this significantly diminished Philidor's achievements (you try playing a game blindfolded), which certainly impressed his contemporaries, as did many who did not witness it themselves Don't believe it. Celebrities like Benjamin Franklin, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire wanted to play against him, and by 1747 he had moved to London, where he played chess professionally, defeating Britain's top players.

At his peak, he was widely regarded as the greatest chess player in the world, and this peak lasted for quite some time. As modern chess grandmaster Andrew Soltis said of Philidor: "He was the best chess player in the world for 50 years. In fact, he was probably better than anyone alive." 200 rating points for solving the mysteries of the game.

In 1748, he wrote the book "Analysis of Chess" (published in 1749), in which he wrote. This famous motto, "The pieces are the soul of chess" stands in stark contrast to the popular strategy of the time, as chess grandmaster Boris Alterman said 500 years ago.

Chess was not as expensive as it is today. The best players started playing the game for a small price: to open a file or diagonal; to attack the opponent's king immediately. The style of Italian chess. Aces are popular in all positions...

In addition to giving us the classic lines, Philidor's analysis is widely hailed as the first book on chess to provide Detailed instructions on playing the middle game are given, introducing the strategy of chess as a whole, as well as the thought piece formations of prevention, sacrifice, blockade and "mobility"

Philidor continues with blindfold chess. Tournaments, including a simultaneous match in Berlin in 1750 where three players were defeated and one was drawn and one lost in a concurring ENT, Parslow Chess Club, London, 27 May 1782 Competition. The following year, on May 9, Philip won one of two and three simultaneous blindfold games, also held in London.

(During this game, both players signed affidavits because they thought no one would believe it was really happening.)

His last game in which he played blindfolded, June 1795 On March 20, also in Pasloe, two people were blindfolded and a third was seen; it is unclear today how those games were played. Philidor died on August 31, 1795.

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Bonus Fact: In 1858, at the age of 21, Louisiana native Paul Mo Fei beat eight players at the same time and actually turned a blind eye to the rebound. Held at the Café Regent in Paris, Morphy sat in one room, staring at a bare wall, while eight players and a chessboard were in another room. The players even have advisors to assist them. However, after the demonstration, Morphy developed a deep dislike for chess and eventually fell into paranoia, delusion and madness. He died of a stroke in 1884. Throughout the 20th century, new records for masked chess were broken. In 1900, Harry Nelson Pill***ury played 20 blindfolded games simultaneously, and in 1924, Alexander Alekhine played 26 more games with tough opponents, Winning 16 games, losing 5 games, and drawing 5 games, this is called the strongest blindfold game exhibition ever. Alexin set another record in 1934 with 32 games, and Georgi Kortanovsky broke it in 1937 when he played 34 games at the same time. There is controversy over the recordings that followed, with some claiming they were not properly monitored. For example, Miguel Najdov (1947) played against 45 opponents, winning 39 games, drawing 4 games and losing 2 games. Likewise, in 1960, János Flesch played against 52 opponents, winning 31, losing 18 and drawing three. In November 2011, Mark Long broke the accepted record (34) by playing a staggering 46 blindfolded matches simultaneously, winning 25, drawing 19, and losing 2. Philidor was also a musical genius. He created 21 musical comedies and an opera throughout his life. Blindfold chess Chess Blindfold chess analysis Chess champion Fran?ois Andniken Philidor Francois Andniken Philidor Philidor Said Ben Jou Bayer: What was blindfolded chess grandmaster Fran?ois Andniken Philido thinking about his second career? Image source