The
International Chessoid
Tomorrow's Muse TODAY !
Philodor's
Monkey Shines! (at chess)
A
legend tells an interesting story about Philodor (First unofficial
world champion). According to this legend when Philodor was best of
his time, he had many visitors coming from all around he world to
play him. But, Philodor was not having enough time to play chess sometimes.
So, he taught chess to his monkey. This monkey was representing him
against weak players. One day, a young English man came and wanted
to play chess with him. Philodor said he was very busy and had to
study. He offered English man to play with his monkey. English man
was very surprised and could not speak for a moment, but after he
accepted to play against the monkey.

(Video capture from:
"George of the Jungle")
So, Philodor
went to his library to write a composition. While writing a composition,
he suddenly heard the scream of the monkey. He entered the room which
English man and monkey was playing. He saw that his monkey had jumped
on the lamp and seemed frightened by something. Philodor asked the
English man "What happened?"
The English man answered with a shamed voice "I thought the monkey
would play badly and I belittled him, I couldn't understand his value
and after being checkmated by him, I hit him, I won't do it again.
Please call the monkey downward, to the table again."
First,
the monkey did not believe the peace and didn't want to return the
chessboard. But, after Philodor succeed to convince him after a long
talk. So, monkey returned the chessboard. Philodor this time stayed
at the room for monkey's safety. English man and monkey started playing
again. But, Philodor was not looking at the chessboard and their game.
He was again writing composition. However, after 30 minutes, the monkey
jumped on the lamp again suddenly.
English
man was again surprised and said "I donŐt understand why he escaped
this time. I did not do anything to him." Philodor stood up,
looked at the chessboard for few seconds and answered "He did
not wait to be hit this time, there is mate in 3."
More
Chess Wisdom at
http://www.geocities.com/timessquare/cave/9317/wisdom.htm