New Orleans and Chess

 

New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste La Moyne as a trading camp on a curve in the east bank of the Mississippi River.

Paul Morphy, the greatest chess player of the 19th century, was born at 1113 Chartes St in New Orleans on June 22, 1837. His father was Judge Alonzo Morphy,a former state attorney general. The house was built in 1826. It was later owned by General Pierre Beauregard in 1866 and by author Frances Parkinson Keyes from 1942 to 1970. It is now known as the Beauregard-Keyes House and is a museum.

In 1841, the Morphys' moved to 417 Royal Street in New Orleans. The Morphy family owned the mansion from 1841 to 1891. Paul Morphy died in the house in 1884. In 1920, the house was owned by Tulane University. This place later became Brennan's restaurant in 1955.

In 1841, Eugene Rousseau (1810-1870) settled in New Orleans from France.

In December, 1845, Charles Stanley and Eugene Rousseau played a match for $1,000 and the title of US Champion in New Orleans. Stanley won the match.

In 1848, Paul Morphy was defeating the strongest chess players in New Orleans.

From 1858 to 1860, Charles Maurian edited a chess column in the New Orleans "Delta" newspaper.

In 1861, James Mason (1849-1905) and his family arrived in New Orleans from Ireland. He later settled in New York and became a strong chess master.

During the Civil War, Armand Blackmar (1826-1888) established a music house in New Orleans. He became the major wartime publisher of songs.

On July 10, 1884, Paul Morphy died of apolexy in New Orleans after suffering a stroke in a bathtub. He was 47. He was buried in St. Louis Cemetery #1 in New Orleans (tomb #366). It is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans.

From February to March, 1886, games 11-20 of the first official world chess championship between Steinitz and Zukertort were played in New Orleans.

On October 28, 1888, Armand Blackmar died in New Orleans. He was a charter member of the New Orleans Chess, Checkers and Whist Club.

In 1890, the New Orleans Chess, Checkers, and Whist Club burned down. It was rebuilt on Canal Street. The building later became a Walgreens store.

In the early 20th century, Carlos Torre (1905-1978) and his family emigrated from Mexico to New Orleans.

In 1954, the U.S. Open was held in New Orleans. Larry Evans won on tie break over Oscar Pomar. There were 110 players.

In the 1970s, Jude Acers (born in 1944) established himself in New Orleans, setting up a chess table in front of the Gazebo restaurant at 1018 Decatur Street in the French Quarter. His signature trademark was his red beret. He played anyone for $5 a game.

In 2000, the U.S. Action Championship was held in New Orleans.

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, causing the levies to break and flood 80% of the city.  Chess master Jude Acers had to be evacuated from the city.  He taught chess on a "Gazebo" sidewalk terrace in the middle of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

In April 2019, the Morphy Chess & Cultural Center opened in the Broadmoor/Marlyville neighborhood of New Orleans.