1859: Flash of Brilliance
Once upon a time there was a young boy from a wealthy New Orleans family who loved to watch his father and uncle play chess. One day after watching his dad and uncle agree to a draw, he shocked them both by stating it was actually a win, and proceeded to set back up the position and then prove it. And they didn't even know he could move the pieces - nobody had ever taught him! This boy was named Paul Morphy, and he is considered one of the true, natural chess geniuses of all time. But by age 12, Morphy mostly ignored chess to focus on his education. After graduating early at age 19 and not being old enough to yet practice law, he casually entered the first major American chess tournament and crushed everyone! He then travelled to Europe and defeated everyone (except Howard Staunton, who ducked his challenge), and became the unofficial champion of the world. Then, in 1859, at age 21, he returned to America, never to play serious chess again.
