Who was the first known U.S. President to play chess?
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Who was the first known U.S. President to play chess?
well who knows who the first was that probably cannot be officialized but Thomas Jefferson was one of the first. He loved chess passionately like me and unlike some people.
Jimmie Beatty
maryland usa
Here’s a link to a chessic drawing containing the answer. You’ll probably recognize all 3 men: Photo Link
The 2nd, 3rd and 6th US Presidents all played chess.
John Adams…though, Jefferson was better. James Madison could play as he often played against Jefferson when he visited Monticello. John Quincy Adams…..
John Adams (2nd president) learned, I think, while serving in Europe as the American ambassador….but maybe before.
If anyone has toured Monticello, there’s a beautiful old chess set that was used by Jefferson.
I am a history teacher…but I’ve never been able to find any games of Jefferson in the primary source literature. Just references to chess.
Anybody out there know if there exists any notated games or just the moves of any of Jefferson’s games…or any of the 19th century presidents?
Bill Clinton, JFK, and Lyndon Johnson.
All were caught playing “hide the bishop” with those who were not their spouses.
Their spouses were angry to find out their husbands had their chess pieces on other broads.. erm, boards.
Vladimir Putin?
I also read somewhere that most of the Presidents of most countries were clones?
I know the present one probably doesn’t
I do believe that their are many who post on this blog that would find something political to say if a photo of a turnip was posted.
What began as an interesting historical question has turned into “current politics.”
Hmmmm, President Bush has a title you do not “President of the United States.” He will be remembered centuries from now…will you?
Stick to the question…can you prove President Bush does not know how to play chess?
Base your answer upon logic…not emotion.
Oh, you said that you “know” President Bush doesn’t know how to play chess.
Really?
What evidence do you have? Where is this evidence located? What primary sources are you looking at as any good researcher would?
You haven’t a clue.
“Who was the first known U.S. President to play chess?”
An even better question is how many unknown Presidents are there, chessplayers or not?
“SCUGrad said…
I know the present one probably doesn’t”
You know that he probably doesn’t! Yeah, he’s not smart like you. ROFLMAO!
George Washington. There is even a style of antique chess set called Washington style because it matches the type of set that Washington played with.
I recall reading somewhere that Rutherford B. Hayes was an avid chess player. He was by no means one of the first presidents, of course, nor one of the most distinguished.
ANSWER: Here is a LINK to a photo of the chess set used by the first U.S. President who played chess.