Pierre Saint-Amant
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| Pierre Saint-Amant, around 1860 |
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| Association |
 France
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| Born | September 12, 1800 Latour Castle near Monflanquin |
| Died | October 29, 1872 Hydra Castle near Algiers |
| Best Elo rating | 2603 (August 1846) ( Historic Elo rating ) |
Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant (born September 12, 1800 at Latour Castle near Monflanquin , † October 29, 1872 at Hydra Castle near Algiers ) was one of the most famous chess masters in France .
Life
He worked professionally in the civil service and occasionally tried his hand at various professions as an actor, journalist and wine merchant. He spent most of his free time in the famous Parisian chess café Café de la Regence , where he developed his chess skills to a high level of mastery.
After the death of Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1840, Saint-Amant was considered the best chess player in France, although he never reached its class and skill level.
In 1836 Saint-Amant traveled to England , where he defeated a number of British chess masters in competitions. In 1843 he also played a match against Howard Staunton , the strongest English champion. He won the competition in London 3.5: 2.5. The second competition in Paris, which was regarded as the unofficial world championship , he lost 8:13. With this, the hegemony of France in chess passed to England.
From 1841 to 1847 Pierre Saint-Amant was editor of the chess newspaper Le Palamède . Then he gave up the game of chess entirely and returned to the civil service. He was consul in California for a while .
When the American Paul Morphy came to Paris in 1858 , Saint-Amant recognized his superior skill level and praised him at a banquet as currently the best chess player in the world. Both played several private games together.
His best historical rating was 2603. This he achieved in August 1846. He was therefore for three years in second place in the world.
In 1861 Saint-Amant went to Algeria to spend his old age there. In 1872 he died after an accident.
literature
- Carl Meier (Ed.): The chess fight in Paris, November and December 1843, between Mr. Staunton and M. de St.-Amant , Zurich 1844.
Web links
- Article about Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint Amant Website Sarah's Chess Journal (English)
- Replayable chess games by Pierre Saint-Amant on chessgames.com (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Saint-Amant, Pierre |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Saint Amant, Pierre Charles Fournier |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | French chess master |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 12, 1800 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Latour Castle near Montflaquin |
| DATE OF DEATH | October 29, 1872 |
| Place of death | Hydra Castle near Algiers |