PAULSEN, Louis

PAULSEN, Louis. (Blomberg, Germany, 1833--1891). Chess master. Paulsen, a resident of Dubuque where he engaged in farming and cigar manufacturing, was considered one of the 19th century’s greatest American chess masters. Learning the game from his father, Paulsen played it irregularly until several years after settling in Dubuque. His talent was discovered by a Minneapolis player known today only as Allison who arranged for Paulsen to visit the Chicago Chess Club where he demonstrated his astonishing ability to play blindfolded.

Paulsen's international recognition began with the first American Chess Congress held in New York City during October 1857. Considered front-page news in those days, the competition began with Paulsen playing two or more games simultaneously, with a bandage over his eyes, using only his memory and imagination. His opponent's moves and his responses were all given orally. He became famous for his defense strategies and his skill in opening play.

Paulsen set world records with his exhibitions. No one had ever attempted more than one blindfolded game at a time. During one exhibition, Paulsen played four matches simultaneously, losing one to a twenty-year-old chess master named Paul Morphy and winning the other three.

In the last three game match, the hot-tempered Morphy won the first game, tied on the second, and lost the third to Paulsen. Because of his superior record in earlier games, Morphy was awarded first place, while Paulsen received second.

The Chess Congress launched Paulsen on a life of chess tournaments and demonstrations. He returned to Dubuque on December 28, 1857, and again proved his mastery by challenging seven members of the Dubuque Chess Club to matches February 18-20, 1858, winning each match. Following his Dubuque triumph, Paulsen challenged ten members of the Chicago Chess Club to simultaneous matches winning nine of the ten and tying the tenth.

Paulsen played blindfolded over a mile from his opponents with over one thousand moves on the ten boards. Paulsen returned to Dubuque in November 1858 and successfully challenged fifteen opponents in the same blindfolded manner. The match continued for eight hours and occasionally found Paulsen winning against two players planning moves at a single board.

Mystery surrounds the end of Paulsen's life. The only records show he played two matches in 1876 and 1877 against Adolf Anderseen, the first official world chess champion. Some accounts state the match was a tie; Anderseen kept the title.