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{{short description|American chess player}}
{{for|the British physician|Theophilus Thompson (physician)}}
{{for|the British physician|Theophilus Thompson (physician)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
[[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]]


'''Theophilus Augustus Thompson''' (April 21, 1855 - after 1875) 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 = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/10/AR2007031001383.html | publisher = [[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.
'''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.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Thompson was born into slavery in [[Frederick, Maryland]]<ref name = Halls>{{cite news | title = Not-so-famous halls of fame honor men and women who were the best in diverse fields | work = Washington Times | date = 1996-01-25 | page = M4 | first = Denise | last = Barnes | accessdate = 2009-05-19}}</ref><ref name = CagedBird>{{cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/historicmoments/HM_Thompson/index.html | title = The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson | first = Neil R. | last = Brennen | work = The Chess Drum | year = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref><ref name = MasterEmeritus>{{cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/drummajors/T_Thompson.html | title = Theophilus Thompson: Master Emeritus | work = The Chess Drum | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref> as were his parents.<ref name = CagedBird/> After emancipation, in 1868, he worked as a house servant in [[Carroll County, Maryland]],<ref name = CagedBird/> but returned to Frederick in 1870.<ref name=Problems3>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-GFAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3#v=onepage |last=Thompson|first=Theophilus|authorlink=Theophilus Thompson|title=Chess Problems|publisher=J.J. Brownson|year=1873|page=3}}</ref>
Thompson was born into slavery in [[Frederick, Maryland]],<ref name = Halls>{{cite news | title = Not-so-famous halls of fame honor men and women who were the best in diverse fields | work = Washington Times | date = 1996-01-25 | page = M4 | first = Denise | last = Barnes }}</ref><ref name = CagedBird>{{cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/historicmoments/HM_Thompson/index.html | title = The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson | first = Neil R. | last = Brennen | work = The Chess Drum | year = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref><ref name = MasterEmeritus>{{cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/drummajors/T_Thompson.html | title = Theophilus Thompson: Master Emeritus | work = The Chess Drum | accessdate = 2007-03-14 }}</ref> as were his parents.<ref name = CagedBird/> After emancipation, in 1868, he worked as a house servant in [[Carroll County, Maryland]],<ref name = CagedBird/> but returned to Frederick in 1870.<ref name=Problems3>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-GFAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA3 |last=Thompson|first=Theophilus|authorlink=Theophilus Thompson|title=Chess Problems|publisher=J.J. Brownson|year=1873|page=3}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In April 1872, Thompson witnessed the game for the first time, in a match between John K. Hanshew and another man.<ref name=Problems3/> Hanshew, who was the publisher of ''The Maryland Chess Review'', gave Thompson a [[chessboard]] and some [[chess problem]]s to solve. Thompson showed an immediate ability to learn the game and master its rules.<ref name = MasterEmeritus/><ref name = KingsofDifferentGame/>
In April 1872, Thompson witnessed the game for the first time, in a match between John K. Hanshew and another man.<ref name=Problems3/> Hanshew, who was the publisher of ''The Maryland Chess Review'', gave Thompson a [[chessboard]] and some [[chess problem]]s to solve. Thompson showed an immediate ability to learn the game and master its rules.<ref name = MasterEmeritus/><ref name = KingsofDifferentGame/>
Thompson's fame grew and he competed in a number of [[Chess tournament|tournaments]].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Rising of the Black Star | url = http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/news_7_285.php | first = Daaim | last = Shabazz | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | publisher = [[United States Chess Federation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914074504/http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/news_7_285.php|archive-date=14 September 2007}} </ref>
Thompson's fame grew and he competed in a number of [[Chess tournament|tournaments]].<ref>{{cite web | title = The Rising of the Black Star | url = http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/news_7_285.php | first = Daaim | last = Shabazz | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | publisher = [[United States Chess Federation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914074504/http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/news_7_285.php|archive-date=14 September 2007}}</ref>


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/>


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. There were rumors that he may have been the victim of a racial [[lynching]],<ref name = MasterEmeritus/> but the 1880 U.S. Census shows him back in his home state of Maryland working as an oysterman. Later on the 1920 census{{dubious|date=October 2012}} has him still alive, married with two children at 64 years of age.<ref name = CagedBird/> The date of his death is unknown.
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)


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 | accessdate = 2009-05-19}}</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>


== References ==
== References ==
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* [https://books.google.com/books?id=-GFAAAAAYAAJ ''Chess Problems'' by Theophilus A. Thompson at Google Books]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=-GFAAAAAYAAJ ''Chess Problems'' by Theophilus A. Thompson at Google Books]
* [http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=81090 The games of Thompson at ChessGames.com]
* [http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=81090 The games of Thompson at ChessGames.com]

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Theophilus}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Theophilus}}
[[Category:1855 births]]
[[Category:1855 births]]
[[Category:1881 deaths]]
[[Category:African-American chess players]]
[[Category:African-American chess players]]
[[Category:American slaves]]
[[Category:American chess players]]
[[Category:African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:American chess writers]]
[[Category:American chess writers]]
[[Category:American male writers]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:African-American sportspeople]]
[[Category:19th-century American slaves]]
[[Category:People from Carroll County, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Carroll County, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Frederick, Maryland]]
[[Category:People from Frederick, Maryland]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]

Latest revision as of 01:42, 3 November 2024

For the British physician, see Theophilus Thompson (physician).

Profile of Thompson found in his Chess Problems book

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]
  1. ^ a b Thomas-Lester, Avis (March 11, 2007). "Kings of a Different Game". Washington Post. p. C01. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b c d Brennen, Neil R. (2006). "The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson". The Chess Drum. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  4. ^ a b c "Theophilus Thompson: Master Emeritus". The Chess Drum. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  5. ^ a b Thompson, Theophilus (1873). Chess Problems. J.J. Brownson. p. 3.
  6. ^ Shabazz, Daaim. "The Rising of the Black Star". United States Chess Federation. Archived from the original on September 14, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2007.
  7. ^ White, Alexander S. (July 28, 1995). "Making the Move From Pawn to King". Washington Post. p. N51.
[edit]
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