Theophilus Thompson: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American chess player}} |
{{short description|American chess player}} |
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{{for|the British physician|Theophilus Thompson (physician)}} |
{{for|the British physician|Theophilus Thompson (physician)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} |
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[[Image:Theophilus Thompson.jpg|thumb|Profile of Thompson found in his ''Chess Problems'' book]] |
[[Image:Theophilus Thompson.jpg|thumb|Profile of Thompson found in his ''Chess Problems'' book]] |
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'''Theophilus Augustus Thompson''' (April 21, 1855 - |
'''Theophilus Augustus Thompson''' (April 21, 1855 - Oct 12, 1881) is the earliest documented [[African-American]] [[chess]] expert recognized in the United States.<ref name = KingsofDifferentGame>{{cite news | title = Kings of a Different Game | page = C01 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/10/AR2007031001383.html | work = [[Washington Post]] | first = Avis | last = Thomas-Lester | date = 2007-03-11 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref> In addition to competing in tournaments, he wrote a book ''Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate'' published in 1873. |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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He gained lasting fame for his book of [[chess problem|endgame positions]]: ''Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate'' (1873).<ref name = MasterEmeritus/> It was published by Orestes Brownson Jr., the editor of the ''Dubuque Chess Journal'', for whom Thompson also worked as a servant.<ref name = CagedBird/> |
He gained lasting fame for his book of [[chess problem|endgame positions]]: ''Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate'' (1873).<ref name = MasterEmeritus/> It was published by Orestes Brownson Jr., the editor of the ''Dubuque Chess Journal'', for whom Thompson also worked as a servant.<ref name = CagedBird/> |
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Thompson faded into obscurity soon after gaining prominence with his book,<ref name = Halls/> and there is some uncertainty about the remainder of his life. The ''Dubuque Chess Journal'' closed in 1875 and Brownson Jr. died soon after, leaving Thompson without a job. |
Thompson faded into obscurity soon after gaining prominence with his book,<ref name = Halls/> and there is some uncertainty about the remainder of his life. The ''Dubuque Chess Journal'' closed in 1875 and Brownson Jr. died soon after, leaving Thompson without a job. In 1879, his mentor John K. Hanshew died of TB. Thompson infected himself with tuberculosis and suffered some years. When Hanshew had died, his health was so bad that he couldn't play competitive chess any longer. At Oct 12, 1881 Theophilus Thompson died of tuberculosis in his home town Frederick. The death notice was published in the local newspaper, the "Frederick Examiner". (Reference: The Chess Drum, notice from April 2020) |
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The [[US Chess Center|U.S. Chess Center]] in [[Washington D.C.]] hosts the Theophilus Thompson Chess Club in his honor on Saturday afternoons.<ref name = Halls/><ref>{{cite news | title = Making the Move From Pawn to King | page = N51 | first = Alexander S. | last = White | work = Washington Post | date = 1995-07-28 }}</ref> |
The [[US Chess Center|U.S. Chess Center]] in [[Washington D.C.]] hosts the Theophilus Thompson Chess Club in his honor on Saturday afternoons.<ref name = Halls/><ref>{{cite news | title = Making the Move From Pawn to King | page = N51 | first = Alexander S. | last = White | work = Washington Post | date = 1995-07-28 }}</ref> |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Theophilus}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Theophilus}} |
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[[Category:1855 births]] |
[[Category:1855 births]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:1881 deaths]] |
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[[Category:African-American chess players]] |
[[Category:African-American chess players]] |
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[[Category:American chess players]] |
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[[Category:African-American sportsmen]] |
[[Category:African-American sportsmen]] |
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[[Category:American chess writers]] |
[[Category:American chess writers]] |
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[[Category:People from Frederick, Maryland]] |
[[Category:People from Frederick, Maryland]] |
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[[Category:20th-century African-American people]] |
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]] |
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[[Category:20th-century African-American men]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:42, 3 November 2024
Theophilus Augustus Thompson (April 21, 1855 - Oct 12, 1881) is the earliest documented African-American chess expert recognized in the United States.[1] In addition to competing in tournaments, he wrote a book Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate published in 1873.
Early life
[edit]Thompson was born into slavery in Frederick, Maryland,[2][3][4] as were his parents.[3] After emancipation, in 1868, he worked as a house servant in Carroll County, Maryland,[3] but returned to Frederick in 1870.[5]
Career
[edit]In April 1872, Thompson witnessed the game for the first time, in a match between John K. Hanshew and another man.[5] Hanshew, who was the publisher of The Maryland Chess Review, gave Thompson a chessboard and some chess problems to solve. Thompson showed an immediate ability to learn the game and master its rules.[4][1] Thompson's fame grew and he competed in a number of tournaments.[6]
He gained lasting fame for his book of endgame positions: Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate (1873).[4] It was published by Orestes Brownson Jr., the editor of the Dubuque Chess Journal, for whom Thompson also worked as a servant.[3]
Thompson faded into obscurity soon after gaining prominence with his book,[2] and there is some uncertainty about the remainder of his life. The Dubuque Chess Journal closed in 1875 and Brownson Jr. died soon after, leaving Thompson without a job. In 1879, his mentor John K. Hanshew died of TB. Thompson infected himself with tuberculosis and suffered some years. When Hanshew had died, his health was so bad that he couldn't play competitive chess any longer. At Oct 12, 1881 Theophilus Thompson died of tuberculosis in his home town Frederick. The death notice was published in the local newspaper, the "Frederick Examiner". (Reference: The Chess Drum, notice from April 2020)
The U.S. Chess Center in Washington D.C. hosts the Theophilus Thompson Chess Club in his honor on Saturday afternoons.[2][7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Thomas-Lester, Avis (March 11, 2007). "Kings of a Different Game". Washington Post. p. C01. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c Barnes, Denise (January 25, 1996). "Not-so-famous halls of fame honor men and women who were the best in diverse fields". Washington Times. p. M4.
- ^ a b c d Brennen, Neil R. (2006). "The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson". The Chess Drum. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
- ^ a b c "Theophilus Thompson: Master Emeritus". The Chess Drum. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
- ^ a b Thompson, Theophilus (1873). Chess Problems. J.J. Brownson. p. 3.
- ^ Shabazz, Daaim. "The Rising of the Black Star". United States Chess Federation. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
- ^ White, Alexander S. (July 28, 1995). "Making the Move From Pawn to King". Washington Post. p. N51.
External links
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