Chess is an old game, dating back at least 1,400 years. It was hugely popular in Europe throughout the medieval ages. In America, writes the U.S. Chess Federation, Benjamin Franklin was a fan.
In the mid-19th century, after American Paul Morphy beat Europe's greatest chess players, chess's popularity in the U.S. surged. Morphy's win was greeted with a reaction that a chess player today could only dream of. According to the July 2, 1859 edition of Scientific American:
The achievements of our young countryman, Paul Morphy, in vanquishing the most distinguished chess-players of Europe, have excited in our people a very pardonable degree of national pride; hence they have exhibited a strong exultant feeling in welcoming him back to his native land as the Chess Champion of the World. He has been received with high demonstrations in several cities, and public testimonials of great value have been presented to him; while at the same time poets have sung, and sages have delivered orations in his praise.
Yet far from cheering on this public fascination with chess, the writers of Scientific American seem downright dismayed. The article becomes a glorious piece of concern trolling, the sort of screed that today would be reserved for the latest shoot em' up video game, young adult novel franchise or fabricated teen trend.
[A] pernicious excitement to learn and play chess has spread all over the country, and numerous clubs for practicing this game have been formed in cities and villages. Why should we regret this? it may be asked. We answer, chess is a mere amusement of a very inferior character, which robs the mind of valuable time that might be devoted to nobler acquirements, while at the same time it affords no benefit whatever to the body.
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