THE HABITS AND IDIOSYNCRACIES OF CHESS PLAYERS
(MYSELF)
NOTE. Speaking as a chess player, Bird is used, for matters
common or general, the editorial us or we is adopted, but
when expressing my own individual knowledge or opinion only,
I is preferred.
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The temperaments of chess players vary, some get easily
disconcerted, disturbed and even distracted; others seem little
affected by passing events, a few, apparently not at all: some
even like a gallery and don't object to reasonable conversation;
by conversations or little interruptions which would pass unheeded
by a McDonnell or a Bird, or perhaps a Zukertortian would sadly
disconcert a Buckle or a Morphy, make Staunton angry, and drive
a Gossip to despair.
The attitude as well as the deportment and demeanour of chess
players at the board shows many varieties: Anderssen and Captain
Mackenzie were statuesque; Staunton, not quite so tall as the
Rev. J. Owen, seeming to be soaring up aloft. Harrwitz not quite
so small as Gunsberg, seemed sinking to the ground, but the story
that he once disappeared overawed by Staunton's style and manner
of moving, and was, after a search, found under the table, is a
mere canard of Staunton's which need not be too confidently
accepted.
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