Let's play "How Good is Your Google?"

I'm using this page as the Monte Carlo 1902 home.

In trying to holistically research Monte Carlo and Monaco, I've learned a great deal about things I had no conception of before I started. Some of it is quite provocative.

Rather than merely reciting some facts, I though I'd give the inveterate Googlers on this site an opportunity to test their talents.

As some people may know, the Prince of Moraco was married to a beautiful, American blond. She brought a certain Grace and Culture to a country best known for contributing to the Vice of Gambling. This woman of Jewish heritage was the first American to marry a reigning monarch.

This woman was born and raised 6 short blocks from Paul Morphy's home (and only about 1.5 blocks from Morphy's birthplace). She was born the same year that Morphy beat Anderssen.

Marie Alice Heine really had nothing to do with chess. I thought it was interesting that she pre-dated Grace Kelly by over a half century as an American born Princess of Morocco. Add to that the fact that she was born on 900-912 Royal St. in New Orleans (her home still stands as a historic site and is called the Moroccan Princess), a couple stone throws away from Morphy's home and she lived there while he was alive and kicking. He father was a successful financier/banker who was probably known by the Morphys. Her father was so successful that when Alice married Albert, the Prince of Morocco, it was more of a benefit to him that to her since she brought with her a dowry worth 120 million dollars in today's currency. Albert and Alice were both idealists in each their own way. They toyed with the idea of turning the Casino of Monte Carlo into a hospital "for the poor and ailing who require a warm climate for their delicate health." But practicality reigned. The Prince's ideals led him to oceanography, while the Princesses ideals led her to the theatre, the ballet, and the opera. But their ideals kept them apart and while the Prince was riding "Princess Alice", his boat, the real Princess Alice was enamored by the operatic composer Isidore de Lara (real name: Isidore Cohen). The affair lasted many years, but it all culminated during the 1902 Chess Tournament at Monte Carlo. Feb. 18 to be exact. The Princess and Prince arrived at La Salle Garnier (the Monte Carlo Opera House) to attend the opening of "Le Jongleur de Notre-Dame" and the Princess stopped to whisper something in the ear of Isidore, whom they had come across there and whom the Prince apparently recently started suspecting to be her lover. When she turned to resume her entrance with the Prince, he slapped her face in front of everyone. Alice continued to the Opera box as if nothing happened while Albert left. She never returned to the palace and officially separated on May 30. However, she never divorced him and forever retained her title. Isidore remained her lover (in Paris) and composed up until her death after which he never composed again.

It seems that Thelcide Morphy must have had made the acquaintance of Marie Alice Heine, especially since the New Orleans Opera was still going strong back then, but other than that, I don't know if such a thing is even possible to research.

I woud be more curious to know, since the Monte Carlo tournaments took place because Monte Carlo actively sought them out in competition with other venues and even paid for the privelege, whether she was in part influential in bringing them there. That is, was chess considered a high art? Or did Prince Albert take an active interest in it - because chess was considered a purely intellectual endeavor, an extension of the scientific field.

You're right. They went to Paris right about the same time as Paul Morphy.

<Pawn and Two> <Calli> <vonKrolock> and others who might be interested...

I've all-but-finished a page on Monte Carlo 1902. It's comprised of 10 pages and about 45 pictures (for those who don't like to read) and utilizes information posted on this and related pages at cg.com, as well as extensive use of newspaper articles.

It's been a very time-consuming and complex endeavor. So, before I release it by posting it on my site, I wanted to post a link here to get some critical opinions, to find inadvertant errors and basically to learn whether my first attempt to chronicle a tournament is on course - that is, whether it's interesting, boring, worthwhile, a total waste of time, etc.

One weakness I'm painfully aware of is a lack of annotated games, which I'm considering, but hesitant, at this point, to devote the time towards.

Anyway the link is: http://sbchess.sinfree.net/MonteCar...

and comments can be posted on this page or emailed to me at sarahbeth1973@yahoo dot com.

Then I portrayed your contribution accurately?

Re: Schlecter... <A quite, polite and unassuming man, he often accepted draws from a winning position.> A quiet, polite and ... (I presume)

<Steinitz>

Exactly!

How embarrassing!

I know what you're asking and I've been wracking my excuse for a brain, but I can't remember!

Hopefully it'll come to me.

Main page
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Typo - "Each of the four tournaments held at resort between 1901 and 1902"

Monte Carlo page
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Excellent!

Quibble:
[could use a better pic of Alice :-]
See http://www.princessofmonaco.com/ for beautiful pics of the old Miltonberger place which is now available as a rental for wedding, parties, banquets etc.

Player page
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Very good and quite a lot of work.

Minor quibbles:
Chigorin on this page but Tschigorin on the main page. Mostly excellent pics, but will see if I have anything better to scan for poor Teddy von Sheve and Reggio.

Tournament
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page 1
"The New York Times (Feb. 2, 1902) and the Brooklyn Eagle (Jan. 12, 1902)"

The dates must be reversed since I know the NYT article was jan 12.

Berger system page is very nicely done.
Pairing page-- well, hmm , maybe in spreadsheet the names could typed once and then copied around.

I like the story about the balloon.

page 2

"Many of the last 95 games ..."

So tell us exactly how many of the games are missing. Someone should do a Chessgames collection based on the information.

page 3

Somehow I missed the crosstable link on first viewing. Perhaps a few words around the link? "To see a complete tournament crosstable, click:" Maybe its just me.

Suggestion box: What about a progressive table? This is my favorite because you see who led at what stage and who gained or lost in the final rounds.

Well, thats all the nitpicking I can do.

Merci beauCOUP!

That's what I needed to hear.

I made the appropriate changes.. the easy ones at any rate.

<I like the story about the balloon.> Thanks to <vonKrolick> for that.

<"Many of the last 95 games ..."

So tell us exactly how many of the games are missing.>

I don't have that information. I wish I did. That came from the intrepid and highly accurate (and awol) <Pawn and Two>.

<I got a real feeling of the atmosphere surrounding the players.>

http://picasaweb.google.com/Caissa1...

I made what changes I could and included your wonderful "Field" article and photo of Alice.