Louis-Charles Mahe de La Bourdonnais
Biography
Louis-Charles Mahe de La Bourdonnais was born in 1795 on the island of Reunion (then Ile Bourbon) in the Indian Ocean, into an aristocratic French family. He is considered the strongest player in the world during the 1820s and 1830s.
La Bourdonnais learned chess in Paris at the Cafe de la Regence, the historic center of French chess. He studied under Alexandre Deschapelles, the dominant French player of the early 19th century, and quickly surpassed his teacher.
His most famous chess legacy is his series of matches against Alexander McDonnell in 1834. Over a period of months, the two played 85 games across six individual matches. La Bourdonnais won the overall encounter (+40 =14 -30), but many individual games were brilliant and closely contested. These matches were the first major international chess rivalry and were followed avidly across Europe.
La Bourdonnais was a combative, energetic player who thrived in complex positions. He edited the first regular chess periodical, 'Le Palamede,' named after the mythical Greek inventor of chess.
Financial difficulties plagued his later years. He moved to London, where he died in poverty on December 13, 1840. He was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London. His grave was unmarked until the chess community placed a monument on it in 1906.
Playing Style
Aggressive, energetic, and tireless. La Bourdonnais thrived in complex positions where his tactical vision and fighting spirit gave him the edge. He was known for playing quickly and confidently, often seizing the initiative early in the game. His games with McDonnell showcase the Romantic style at its finest.
Legacy
The La Bourdonnais-McDonnell matches of 1834 were the first great chess rivalry and the first chess matches to receive widespread public attention. These games, published and studied across Europe, helped establish chess as a spectator sport. La Bourdonnais also founded 'Le Palamede,' the first chess periodical.
Key Results
- ♦Strongest player in the world c. 1821-1840
- ♦Match vs McDonnell, London 1834: Won 40-30 with 14 draws (85 games total)
- ♦Founded 'Le Palamede,' the first chess periodical
- ♦Defeated all leading players of his era
- ♦Studied under and surpassed Alexandre Deschapelles