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When Chess-Theory webmaster, our friend Michel Bruneau, ask us to develop some historical pages on his site we was rather embarrassed for two reasons. The first one is that we aren't especially qualified for this work; and the second one is the vastness of the subject. Also, under consideration of this reflections, We decide to prioritize a presentation of greatest players of classical time, writing a brief article about each of them. It's a pleasure for us to begin this series by a column devoted to the beyond compare Philidor!
Because our main objective is trying to present Andre-Francois Danican Philidor in the rich and multifaceted backdrop of his time, we don't have to develop more the present subject. Nevertheless it's essential to situate clearly the "Siecle des Lumieres" into the general chronology of major French historical Events. Well, in some commentator opinions, it's possible to delimit this period by the death of King Louis XIV (1715) on one hand (start date) and the Coup d'Etat of the 18 Brumaire an VIII (November, 9, 1799) on the other hand (end date). During this crucial time most events and sub-periods were successively the Regence (1715-1723), then reigns of Louis XV (1723-1774) and Louis XVI (1774-1792), and finally the French Revolution (1789-1799). At this time the France is the European most populated country; economic activity is globally growing and the social peace reigns. The French business bourgeoisie (middle class) became powerful and aspires to conquer the political power. And, concurrently, for this reason and many others, Monarchy authority was progressively declining.
Philidor's father, Andre Danican (1647-1730) was, according of some sources: "the keeper of the music for Louis XIII, King of France" (Cf. Bill Wall). It's franckly impossible because King Louis XIII died in 1643 even when Andre Danican was born 4 years latter!... In fact we are quite sure Andre Danican, the Philidor's father was an official musician of the court of King Louis XIV. Anyway Andre Danican Philidor (1647-1730) was effectively contemporary with King Louis XIV. In other aspect, he was a rather famous musician, participating (with: the March for Four Drums, Marches,Fetes & Chasses ...), as the same title that Jean-Joseph Mouret (1682-1738), Michel-Richard De Lalande (1657-1726), Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) and Marc-Antoine Charpentier (1634-1704), at the great adventure of the French Baroque Music, we may always discover or rediscover through its Symphonies and Fanfares! We also have to mention Pierre Danican (1681-1731), son of Jacques Danican, we know some of his musical works; and evidently Anne Danican (1681-1728), son of Andre Danican, brother of Francois-Andre, having composed a Sonata in d for oboe and guitar, in 1725, participating this way at the creation of the famous "Concert Spirituel". At this subject we add: The Concert spirituel, in other words the Paris concert series, "began effectively in 1725 and became celebrated all over Europe, lasting until the French Revolution..." (Cf. www.hoasn.org -VIIC -VIIC Concerts Spirituel)... Anyway, speaking about the "Musique a la cour du Roi Soleil", it's greatly justified to mention the Danican Philidor dynasty !
In 1731, at the age of six, Francois-Andre Philidor entered the choir of the Chapel Royal in Versailles. He was a pageboy in this chapel and began to learn music with Andre Campra. This famous compositor was born in Aix-en-Provence, as son of a surgeon, joined the church choir aged 14 (in fact the "chœur de la Cathédrale Sain-Sauveur d'Aix-en-Provence") and went on to ecclesiastical studies four years later. Then he learnt music under the leadership of Guillaume Poitevin. Their is many other interesting topics to develop about Campra and his fine music... But it's not our subject! Philidor was soon recognize a young musical prodigy. But in the same time, aged of five or six perhaps, he discored the chess game, playing with musicians during times of inactivity. Rapidly he became the strongest chessplayer among the little community of 80 musicians. Then Philidor, occasionally at the begining and more frequently in about 1740, went in Paris to encounter the best French chess players of this epoch. In the same time he earned one's living by giving some music lessons and also copying various music documents. In 1745 Philidor began to voyage in Europe. In December, 1745, he went to Rotterdam for a concert tour in Netherlands, with Geminiani and Lanza; Geminiani was a renowned Italian violonist, composer, and theorist. But this presenting concerts was brusquely cancelled because the death of a young player (Bill Wall give some more details at this subject). Then Philidor was in Netherlands without any money. Also he supported himself teaching and playing chess for money. In 1747 Philidor went to England, in London ... Francois-Andre was conduce to travel and stay in Netherlands, in Prussia and especially in England for many reasons. Some of them were without any doubt financials. But, in our opinion, Philidor became singularly young aware of his natural belonging to the International cultured society and of the worldwide level of his two embedded talents.
Nevertheless Philidor was attached to his homeland, because his family and some friends lived here, and also for is hope to obtain an official fonction as a musician at the court in Versailles. In that way, in 1754 Philidor returned to France after an absence of 9 years and, according to Bill Wall (we found very few references to this subject!): "on February 13, 1760, at age of 33, he married Angelique Richer (1736-1809). He had 5 sons and 2 daughters with her...". All this period and the ten following years were particularly favorable to Philidor's musical creation. It's very interesting to notice how, through his life tribulations, Philidor is always remained faithful to himself and, particularly to both arts he was so brilliancy practiced: music and chess! ... Also he was largely recognize in each of this fields and got a lot of admirers, protectors and also friends, like was French philosophers Voltaire, Rousseau and the famous English actor David Garrick (1717-1779). We desire now to give ourself to a difficult exercise: reach here the heart of Francois-Andre Danican's personnality ... through his time but also through his own mind ... And we realize it's quite impossible. Nevertheless we pursue untiringly our extravagant ambition ... thinking the truth is perhaps accessible at the other end of the tunnel... But first we conclude this cursory glance at Philidor's life touching on, in some words (anyway we get few informations on this period), his last years. In December 1792, when he was then age 65, Philidor left definitively France for England. He was fleeing the French Revolution (1789-1799), because his name figured on the Revolutionary banishment list, established by the "Convention nationale". This was not really for his ideas (indeed it seems Philidor was rather reserved about his opinions apart from music and chess!...), but very likely in view of the traditional attachment of his family to the King's family service. Nevertheless, people must not forget Philidor was a friend of Voltaire and Rousseau et was certainly open to new ideas of his time. Philidor died on 31 August 1795 in London and was buried at St James's, Picadilly. Some days later his family obtained his name was removed from the list. Anyway, we finally attract your attention on this significant coincidence between the abolition of the French monarchy (1792), the death of Philidor (1795) and the emergence of new ideals and concepts, largely symbolized by Jacques-Louis David paintings.
The following years, from 1745, were mainly devoted to Chess, without Francois-Andre neglects completely the Music. In November 1754 he returned in France after nine years living abroad. Then he started composing music again. Unfortunately he didn't obtain the so coveted post of court composer in Versailles. It's possible Philidor's church music was not very well accepted in France because he added in it some Italian influence. It's certainly for this reason, Philidor turned his attention to comedy opera whose he is one of most significant creator. The first "Opera Comique" (comedy opera) created by Francois-Andre Danican Philidor, in 1759, is Blaise le Savetier; it was a great success. The opera Emelinde is perhaps one of Philidor's "chefs-d'œuvre". Between 1759 and 1765 Philidor lived a particularly rich period, producing eleven Opera Comiques, including Le Soldat magicien (1760), Le Jardin et son seigneur (1761), Le Maréchal ferrant (1761), Le Sorder (1762), Le Sorcier (1764) and Tom Jones (1765). In 1779 Philidor created the Oratorio Carmen saeculare, on a Horace's text (precisely: Quintus Horatius Flaccus), at the Freemason's Hall of London. In 1780 Carmen saeculare was interpreted in Paris at the Concert Spirituel.
We have also to mention a certain Te deum played in 1764 at the occasion of Jean-Philippe Rameau's funeral. You find on "Wikipedia" an information ascribing this work to Philidor. It's true? We don't know really but, in our researches we found an answer, on a specialized forum, affirming: "The Requiem is not a Rameau's work. This "Mess for the Dead" has been composed by Jean Gilles, a French composer, at the end of the XVIIth century. It has been played during Rameau's funeral. It's a fantastic mess with baroc music and gregorian songs." In any cases, Philidor may be considered to be one of the founders of the French "Opéra Comique", having created not less than 20 (or 21 !?) works of this kind; and from 1750 to 1770 he was certainly the leading opera composer in France. However, it's true after 1780 his success gradually declined. Yes indeed Philidor continued to teach music and to compose for the Concert Spirituel. But his last tragedies, including Persé (1780) and Thémistocle, didn't obtain a great success. Consequently if Francois-Andre Danican Philidor have gotten a good place in the Music history it's not evindently a the worldwide top level like in Chess!
In 1741 Philidor was being instructed by Kermur de Legal. This was certainly a great chance for him. Evidently Legal won without much problems against Philidor and, at the begining, he gave his young pupil Rook odds (that means the stronger player removes a Rook to advantage the weaker). From 1741 to 1744 approximatively, Kermur de Legal taught Philidor. We add this short Italian comment about the prestigious Philidor's tutor: "Legal de Kermur (1702-1792), maestro di Philidor. Fu descritto come un gentiluomo magro, pallido, di vecchio stampo, che al Cafe' de La Regence occupava sempre la medesima sedia e per anni ha indossato il medesimo cappotto verde ... durante la partita era solito sottolinearne l' evolversi con commenti da tutti apprezzati per la loro arguzia" (Cf. L'Italia Scacchistica. "Il matto Legal"). Ten Philidor "became so obsessed with chess that he lost most of his music students from neglect. After 3 years, Legal was no match for him. At that time, 1744, Philidor gave his famous simultaneous (2 games) blindfold chess demonstration. His results were poor, =1 -1, but the demonstration was considered an extraordinary display of mental power and praised througout the world, making Philidor a celebrity of sorts." (Cf. angelfire.com games SB Chess philidor). Philidor said he had learned how to blinfold play at night, when he was unable to sleep.
This Philidor's performance was chronicled in the article dedicated to Chess in the Encyclopedia of Denis Diderot and Jean-Le-Rond d'Alembert. Having keep the advantage on his tutor Kermur Sire de Legal, Francois-Andre Danican was assured to be the leading French chess player and consequently he began to think seriously about an International career. The best way for this was certainly to go in England, precisely at London!... After some intermediate incidents, he thank so and took appropriate action. In 1745 took place the fell through itinerant concert in Netherlands, whose we have sufficiently speak. Like that, Francois-Andre found himself in a foreign country without any money to live. In order to remedy his powerty, he fist visited many coffee houses in Roterdam, hoping to play chess. But people was playing a variant game named "Polish Draughts"; you'll find all informations bout this game in the link list below. Finally Philidor installed himself at the Hague where he was able to play Chess with many people; in particular some British officers, who suggested him to made his way to London, explaining he would find in this place an excellent welcome, and very good conditions to exerce his talent. Then, in 1747 Francois-Andre Danican went across the English Channel and settled in London. It seems it was, at this time, apart from some well-informed people, a perfect stranger in Britain and had to show what he can do... Nevertheless, it's not exaggerated to affirm Philidor made very soon the conquest of Londonian Chess world. This was first according to his amiable nature, but also indeed because he quickly revealed himself to be a genious chess player.
For proving he was really the leading chess player in the world Philidor was obliged to encounter Philipp (or Phillip) Stamma (1705-1760). Stamma was a very famous chess player, then considered as the leading chess player in England and, perhaps, in the world. He was a Syrian chess player from Allepo and an interpreter of Oriental languages. (Cf. chess-poster.com). Phillip Stamma published in 1737 an "Essai sur le jeu des echecs" in Paris. It was a book containing a hundred end-games with diagrams and was the first book to use algebraic notation (Cf. chess Baron.com). In 1745 Stamma published his "Noble Game of Chess". This book contained 100 endgames and 74 opening variations. (Cf. chess Baron.com). Well! A ten game match, Francois-Andre Philidor vs Phillip Stamma, was effectively organized in 1747 at London. Philidor was very confident of his success like you can see through the singular rules of this encounter!... Indeed Philidor suggested to take Black in every game and in addition to concede draw odds. This is frankly surprising but Stamma agreed this conditions. Nevertheless the final result, like you hnow certainly, was clearly at the Philidor's advantage: +8 -1 =1 (so +8 -2 in match conditions). We don't believe Stamma asks for a return match! This historical encouter took place in the famous Slaughter's coffe-chess. This is in the same location and the same year that Philidor encountered Sir Abraham Janssen (1720-1795), whom many consider to have been Philidor's stongest opponent. In the five game match: Philidor vs Abraham Janssen the result was: +4 -1 =0, in favour of the French player. "From that time on, Philidor was the unofficial champion of the world" (Cf. Bill Wall).
From now on Francois-Andre Philidor didn't need to proof anything more on the chessboard. But he had another ambition. One reason for his conclusive superiority over every other player was a new conceptual vision of the chess game. So he wanted put his ideas down on paper. Returning to Holland in 1748, at age of 22, Francois-Andre Danican Philidor devoted himself to the writing of his celebrated chess book: "L'Analyze des Eschecs" (Analysis of Chess). According to Terry Crandall (Star Fire Project.com - The Game is Afoot): "Some of the early subscriptions were: Lord Sandwich (10 copies), Duke de Cumberland (50 copies), English army officers (119 copies). This made Philidor and the publishers quite wealthy". Publishing of the Philidor's book was a significant event considering the novelty of main ideas developed by its author. Everyone knows the famous sentence: "les pions sont l'âme des Echecs" ("pawns are the soul of chess". More precisely Philidor said: "Mon but principal est de me rendre recommandable par une nouveauté dont personne ne s'est avisé, ou peut-être n'a été capable ; c'est celle de bien jouer les pions. Ils sont l'âme des Echecs ; ce sont eux uniquement qui forment l'attaque et la défense et de leur bon ou mauvais arrangement dépend entièrement le gain ou la perte de la partie." ("My main purpose is to make myself recommandable by a novelty whose anybody don't was interested about or don't was able to find; this is to well play pawns; they are the soul of chess; only them constitue attack and defence and win or loss a game depends just from their good or bad arrangement"). Now let's consider carrefully GM Boris Alterman's opinions: "500 years ago chess was different from today. Pawns didn't cost as much as they do today. The best players started games with the gambits. Pawns were only a small price to: Open a file or diagonal; Create an immediat attack on an opponent's king. It was the Italian style of chess. All positions of the King's Gambit were very popular... The best chess player of his day was Francois Andre Danican-Philidor... His published chess strategy stood for a hundred years without significant addition or modification. He preached the value of a strong pawn center, an understanding of the relative value of the pieces, and correct pawn formations...". And Alterman notice, analysing the game Count Bruehl - Philidor, F, 0-1, london 1783, that Philidor understood very well modern concepts like: power of passed pawns; bad and good pieces; space advantage; open files; pawn structure; importance of center.
In 1749, 433 copies of "L'Analyze des Eschecs" were published in London. This treaty was translated in English (1750), in Russian (1824) and later in many other languages. In 1750 Francois-Andre was a young man, only age 24; but nevertheless he was considered the leading player in Europe. The French Ambassador in England, the Duke de Mirepoix (certainly : Charles Pierre Gaston François de Lévis, Duc de Mirepoix (1699-1757), French diplomat), invited regularly Philidor for his weekly chess dinners (Cf. Bill Wall). During the year 1951 Philidor left England for Prussia in view to play against King Frederic. You know that "Frederick II the Great, third king of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, ranks among the two or three dominant figures in the history of modern Germany" (Cf. The Realm of Shade - project). When Francois-Andre was in Berlin, always during the year 1751, he accomplished a feat playing three game blindfold simul and winning every one. Then he returned to England. Only in 1754 Philidor came back in France dedicating, for many years, most of his time to music composition. He did not return to England until 1772. In 1755 was organized, at the "Café de la Regence", a match : Francois-Andre Philidor vs Kermur de Legal. Then Philidor was the incontestable winner of this new challenge. Into 1771 and 1773 Philidor made brief stays in London to play at the Salopian coffee-house, Charing Cross and at the St James Chess Club. In 1774 the Parloe's chess club, on St James street, in London, was created and Philidor obtained a remunaration as a Chess Master every year, for a regular season from February to June. Philidor stayed faithful to this agreement until the end of his life. This is rightly in this place Philidor encountered Mr. George Atwood, famous mathematicain and physician, lecturer at Cambridge University.
We extract from a very interesting article of J J O'Connor and E F Robertson, devoted to George Atwood, the following passage: " Atwood was a renowned amateur chess-player and among other opponents played games against the famous French player Philidor, who was regarded as the unofficial world champion. H E Bird records [3]:- Of the players who encountered Philidor, Sir Abraham Janssens, who died in 1775, seems to have been the best, Mr. George Atwood, a mathematician, one of Pitt's secretaries came next, he was of a class which we should call third or two grades of odds below Philidor, a high standard of excellence to which but few amateurs attain. One of most interesting features of Atwood as a chess player is that he recorded and preserved some of his games, an unusual practice at that time. These records have survived, among them the last games that Philidor played which were against Atwood at Parsloe's Club in London on 20 June 1795." Philidor played frequently blinfold simultaneous games. Bill Wall notice that: "in 9 blinfold performances, Philidor won 10, drew 4 and lost 6". By the way you find on "ChessPoster.com" the following assertion:"1783 Club; Paris starts Chess club under patronage of Louis XVIII" and the same mistake is reproduce by many other sites. Nevertheless this is an anachronisme because Louis XVIII, comte de Provence (1755-1824), brother of King Louis XVI, was the first post revolution King of France only from 1814 to 1824. In 1792 Francois-Andre Danican Philidor was inscribed, like we have say before, on a French Revolution list of personna non gratis . Then, in December 1792, at age 65, he was obliged to left France and to stay definitively in England, without his wife and children. In the same time, for political reasons, his music was banned in France. Then Philidor had at his disposal only chess learning and blinfold demonstration to make a little cash for supporting himself and his family. Philidor died on 31 August 1795 in London and was buried in St James church Picadilly. A few days later his family got his name removed from the list of the French Convention nationale. As related Terry Crandall, for The Game is Affot: "The newspaperobituary read: "On Monday last, Mr. Philidor, the celebrated chess player, made his last move, into the other word"".
Notwithstanding his genius, Philidor was first a man of his time!
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