06/01/2025 – Henry Nelson Pillsbury was a remarkably talented American chess player, best known for his rapid rise in the chess world and his impressive memory and blindfold capabilities.
He was born on December 5, 1872, in Somerville, Massachusetts, Pillsbury showed an early interest in chess. By the time he was a teenager, he had developed a strong passion for the game, spending countless hours honing his skills.
Pillsbury's international breakthrough came in 1895 at the Hastings International Chess Congress. Virtually unknown on the European chess scene at the time, he surprised everyone by winning the tournament against many of the best players globally, including world champions and leading masters like Emanuel Lasker and Mikhail Chigorin.
White to play and mate in 3
Pillsbury passed away on June 17, 1906, at a young age of 33, but his impact on the chess world remains significant. Known for his brilliance at the board and his incredible feats of memory, Henry Nelson Pillsbury is remembered as one of the great chess talents of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His life is a testament to the heights of creativity and intellect in the world of chess, despite his all-too-brief career.
For more chess puzzles; simply install our chess apps from google playstore.
Thanks for reading!
by Coach Gerald Ferriol