Louis Paulsen
Biography
Louis Paulsen was born on January 15, 1833, in Blomberg, Nassau (Germany). His family emigrated to the United States in 1854. Paulsen became one of the strongest players in the world during the 1860s and 1870s and was a pioneer of positional chess.
Paulsen first came to attention at the First American Chess Congress in 1857, where he finished second to Paul Morphy. Even before losing the final, Paulsen declared that Morphy would prove to be the world's greatest player.
Paulsen's contributions to opening theory were enormous. He was among the first to play the Sicilian Defense systematically (the Paulsen Variation: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6), the French Defense (1.e4 e6), and the Vienna Game. His ideas were decades ahead of their time.
He was also one of the first great blindfold players. In 1857, he played four simultaneous blindfold games, winning two and drawing two.
After returning to Germany, Paulsen remained a top tournament competitor through the 1870s. He died on August 18, 1891, in Blomberg.
Playing Style
Paulsen was a pioneer of positional play in an era dominated by romantic attacking chess. He was content to defend patiently and counterattack. His opening preparation was remarkably deep for the era.
Legacy
The Paulsen Variation of the Sicilian Defense remains one of the most popular systems at all levels. His advocacy of the French Defense helped establish it as a major opening.
Key Results
- ♦First American Chess Congress, 1857: 2nd place (lost to Morphy in final)
- ♦Pioneer of blindfold simultaneous play (4 games, 1857)
- ♦Among the world's top 5 players throughout the 1860s-70s
- ♦Developed the Paulsen Sicilian and French Defense theory