At one time, I had literally memorized all the (complete) games in the first two books, several friends (Bruce Andersson and David Kurjan) who knew me in my High School days can attest to this.

"Chess - Death of Mr. M`Donnell - The amateurs of chess in this country have to regret the loss of Alex. M`Donnell, Esq. who died last week at the early age of 37. This gentleman was not only the best chess player in the united kingdom (sic), but the best our country has possessed since Philidor. His talents were not, however, confined to this one pursuit, but appeared equally to grasp and command a variety of subjects, difficult of attainment to ordinary minds. He was the author of several valuable works on political economy, West India commerce, and foreign trade in general, and his style, which was remarkable perspicuous, illuminated his comprehensive views with great felicity. By the Westminster and London Chess clubs, of which he was a member, this melancholy bereavement of their best player is felt as a domestic misfortune. It was Mr. M`Donnell who played the long series of games, amounting to nearly 100, with Mons. de la Bourdonnais, in the Westminster Chess Club, about a year past. Mr. M`Donnell for many years held the high situation of secretary to the West India Committee at the Dock-house in Billiter-square, London, and was the son of Dr. M`Donnell, of Belfast."

"The chess world will not soon forget him, and by the Westminster and London chess clubs, of which he was a member, this unexpected and melancholy bereavement of their best player is felt as a domestic misfortune. It was Mr. M`Donnell, who played the long series of games, amounting to nearly 100, with Mons. de la Bourdonnais, in the Westminster chess club, about a year past. His excellence as a chess-player was associated with a kindly spirit, of the finest quality. He was always ready for the field, not only to play, but to instruct ; and in this respect nothing could exceed the patience with which he would communicate information to the less advanced amateur. To eulogize his skill in the science is needless - he leaves none behind him whose names are worthy of being written on the same page. In his life he was beloved, in his death he is deeply lamented. Mr. M`Donnell for many years held the high situation of secretary of the West India committee at the dock-house in Billiter-square, and was the son of Dr. M`Donnell, of Belfast. He died at his residence in Tavistock-square, and his remains are interred in the cemetery an the Harrow-road."

From your user profile: <"I am a former director of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines. Used to be rated at 2200. Just retired from my chemistry and engineering career but just 'unretired' from chess!> Good to know. I am sure, you'll understand that I don't like to correct sloppy statements in this way. So, with due respect, I would like to ask you to be more careful with the facts. Thanks.

"No picture of Alexander McDonnell has ever been found."

In which sense? Provided by or with the official permission of?

"Belfast-born Alexander McDonnell (1798-1835) proclivity for chess won him notoriety for challenging the world’s leading player of the time, Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais, in 1835. Opening a match with a twist on the King’s Gambit ensured the duration of McDonnell’s legacy: his method has been coined “the McDonnell Gambit.”

The photo is undated but my researches indicate it was probably taken in 1841.

I'm not a violent man, but at this point we should chain the heretic in the town square and pelt 'em with chess pieces until they are bloodied up a bit.

We can use that one, claim it's genuine and charge people a fee to use it.

I have done this <courtesy of> too, but only with Wikimedia Commons photos.

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