"Your Checker Ego Put Money in His Pocket"--answer

[Mr. Checkers]

Sadly to say he is no longer with us today, but when he was people came from near and far just to watch him play a game of checkers--generally for money. He travelled and took on all comers--no matter who or how good they thought they were. The crowds that gathered around him were amazed as they marvelled at his unique ability and style of play; as he skillfully made his moves across the board that left his opponents spellbound in defeat, not to mention with less money in their pockets. "Checker Trivia question of the Day?" Who was this mighty "Checker Icon" from many many years ago? (Cont.)

[Mr. Checkers]

Years ago checkers was played at many social affairs by people (both men and women) from all walks of life; while others gathered around to watch. It is said that his fame and spectacular play across the board drew more people around him than any other checker player in the history of our game--and that would be very hard to dispute. (Cont.)

[Bob Murr]

My guess after the first post was Stanley Block, but after reading the follow up, I would guess either Newell Banks or Willie Ryan who were both great showmen.

[Mr. Checkers]

Those are fine guesses Bob--please try again. Years ago I remember reading the story about Willie Ryan travelling across the country playing checkers for money. I believe that it was in his 1934 Scientific Checkers book, but I am not sure. (Cont.)

[Mr. Checkers]

Some of the ladies found this large in stature, bearded checker wonder to be very handsome indeed, but their roving eyes never detracted his attention from the excellance in his play that was displayed across the board. (Cont.)

[Mr. Checkers]

During his early years he travelled extensively throughout Europe playing both Chess and Checkers (in later years his play was just focused on checkers alone)--for money of course. And then he immigrated to America. Here he was well received wherever he appeared--both on and off the board. And as I mentioned earlier, checkers was very popular long ago--and people would turn out in large numbers to watch and see the notables of our game play it.

[Mr. Checkers]

I am sure that Dennis and Igor would have enjoyed seeing him (and perhaps playing a game or two) when he was in Berlin years ago. It was estimated that over 100,000 people came to see and watch him play during his three months visit there (and to other major cities throughout western Europe--Paris, Brussels, Leizig, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Dresden and Cologne just to name a few). While in America he spent most of his time in New York, but he also visited other cities, such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas City etc. He also spent some time visiting Canada. (Cont.)

[Ingo_Zachos]

Alfred Jordan ?

[Mr. Checkers]

That is a fine quess Ingo--please try again. (Cont.)

[steve]

Ajeeb -the so call mechanical checker and chess player.Poe wrote a short story about it.

[Ingo_Zachos]

Good choice!

but I think that Baron von Kempelen's Turk was the "player" in question, although, I have to say, after I saw four reconstuctions until now, he was not very tall.

Tricky question, and yes, I once saw him playing and even won a game of chess against him at the Paderborn HNF

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1574

, but the operator was a weak player, so it was no great feat.
BTW he was once beaten by the great Philidor in chess and checkers as the sources mentioned, when Kempelern first revealed the secret of his device to Pilidor, provided Philidor gave the Turk a chance to win in their encounter, but despite their deal, Philidor won both games and when von Kempelen asked Pilidor why he did not lose, he replied that it was simply too bad to see the chances he offered him...


Greetinx from sunny Dortmund, Germany

Ingo Zachos

[Ingo_Zachos]

Good choice!

but I think that Baron von Kempelen's Turk was the "player" in question, although, I have to say, after I saw four reconstuctions until now, he was not very tall.

Tricky question, and yes, I once saw him playing and even won a game of chess against him at the Paderborn HNF

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=1574

, but the operator was a weak player, so it was no great feat.
BTW he was once beaten by the great Philidor in chess and checkers as the sources mentioned, when Kempelen first revealed the secret of his device to Pilidor, provided Philidor gave the Turk a chance to win in their encounter, but despite their deal, Philidor won both games and when von Kempelen asked Pilidor why he did not lose, he replied that it was simply too bad to see the chances he offered him...


Greetinx from sunny Dortmund, Germany

Ingo Zachos

[Mr. Checkers]

I put this "Checker Trivia" question on the Forum especially for my friend Alan Millhone. Congratulations to Steve for giving us the answer to it. Igor was on the right track also. Please go to google.com--type in Mephisto-Ajeeb-Turk for more information concerning "Ajeeb", who was 10 foot tall--"he was tall in stature, handsome and he had a beard". It cost 10 cents to play a game of checkers against "Ajeeb"--25 cents for a chess game. Special guest opponents over the years included Theodore Roosevelt, Harry Houdini, Admiral Dewey, O'Henry and Sarah Bernhardt. I think that you will find this information on google to be very interesting as is our other "Checker Trivia". I will be adding more information about "Ajeeb" to the Forum in days to come. (Cont.)

[Mr. Checkers]

I word "Ajeeb" comes from the "Hindu" meaning "mysterious". Several of the internal operaters of "Ajeeb" quit working because of the weird things that happened inside the automaton. "Ajeeb" would make moves on his own without their assistance. While playing in Quebec Canada "Ajeeb" was thought to have some kind of supernatural powers--and was blessed as being a shrine. (Cont.)