Checkmated.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 62

Checkmated.

The moral of tho following story is not that it takes a professional to beat o professional, but that even in the amateur's lexicon there should be no such word as fail.

Some years ago, on the occasion of a visit paid to by Mr M , the celebrated. chegF player, he was Uio guest of a clergyman, of that city. On his arrival at the latter's house, Mr M was at once attracted by a painting over the mantel, which was a copy of a famous picture rpprpaentinfr a game of chess between ■> young nre.n and tlif> s devil, the f.Uke fceiiK/ the young man' 1 - soui.""

The artifrt had rrio'-t piaphically depicted the point in the ksuio whoie it was apparently tlio young rnan'B next move, and he. seemed iuat to realito the iacL that he Uad^

lost the game, the agony of despair being shown in every line of his features and attitude, while his adversary from the opposite side of the table gloated over him with fiendish delight. The position of the game appeared quite hopeless for the young -man, and the host said that he had often studied it with his chess frienda, and all agreed the young man'; game was certainly lost. Mr M walked up to the picture and studied it carefully; then, turning to his host, he said : " I can win the game for the young man." The clergyman was, of course, astonished, find said,* " Is it possible? "

Mr M replied, "Blindly get out tLo men and board, and let us look it over. '

The position vas eefc up, and in a few rapid moves he demonstrated a complete win fur the young "man, and the devil was checkmated.