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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 donÕt 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."

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