Chess Software
Chess Playing Chess Training Database Mgmt Chess Databases Chess for MAC Chess Handhelds
Chess Equipment
Chess Sets/Pieces Chess Boards Chess Boxes/Bags Chess Computers Chess Clocks Schools/Clubs
Chess by Subject
Beginners Chess for Kids Chess Openings      King's Pawn      Queen's Pawn      Various  Middlegame  Endgame   Biographies  Tournaments  Classic Chess  General
Chess by Format
Chess in Print Chess on CD Chess E-Books Chess Download Chess DVDs Chess Magazines
Chess & Beyond
Chess Accessories Chess Art Variant Software eClassics Gift Ideas Gift Wrap
Ordering Info
Shipping Rates Delivery Time Returns Privacy Security Help Contact Us Affiliate Program Link to Us

Chess Goldmine!

Battle Chess and Battle Chess 4000
Chess Software
FREE Demo
 Chess Download!

Read about ChessCentral
 in the
 New York Times

Chess Forum
Help, Tips and
Discussion

The Discart-Bonetti
Chess Match, 1863

Page 1  2  3  4  5

Discart's Obituary 

"On 27 August death put an end to the final misery of the retired royal Italian secretary Francesco Discart-Galli. The deceased was once one of Italy's greatest chess experts, a well-educated player both theoretically and practically, as he was a composer and writer. He was the secretary of the late Duke of Modena. Being a former aristocrate Discart-Galli lived for a long time in Italy, and later on at Vienna, as a highly honored man. But in the second half of the 1870s he destroyed his own further prospects by a grave fault, while also putting the well-being of his family into jeopardy. At the age of 74 Discart died of an old heart ailment at Kettenrückengasse Nr. 18 in the Wieden district."  Österreichische Lesehalle, November 1893, p. 339. 

Note: We have no information whatsoever regarding his "grave fault" in the second half of the 1870s. It would be interesting, of course, to know more about this matter. 

The Italian Anderssen

Discart was certainly among the strongest Italian players of the 19th century, and very probably he was second in strength only to the great champion Serafino Dubois. In accord with his Modenese background, Discart's style was that of an attacker, with the Evans Gambit and the Giuoco Piano (in various forms, often featuring a sacrifice of the d- or f-pawns) being his favorite weapons with the White pieces. With Black, he frequently used the Sicilian, the French and Petroff Defenses. Very well versed in opening theory, he often prepared his secret innovations at home (especially in the Evans Gambit), to spring on his generally less booked opponents, surprising them on many occasions. He had the tactical vision of a very brilliant player, and may well be considered, as the Italian chess player and promoter Count Francesco Ansidei once styled him in a letter, "the Italian Adolph Anderssen". Please refer to the games below for examples of Discart's powerful combinational skill. In particular, see the game played vs. Count Vitzthum, with its subtle 26th "quiet" winning move, 26.Bd5, which denied the g8 square to the Black King, winning instantly. How many less gifted players would have instead played 26.Qxf6+, or 26.Rxd7+, capturing in both cases with check, but allowing 26...Kxg8 and the end of White's attack – with a sure loss in sight! Of course, regarding the strategical principles of the game, he did not have the deep insight of Steinitz. But who had such insight in those days? All factors considered, we should definitely count Discart as an excellent player by any standard, and definitely a leading Romantic of the 19th century. 

Click the link below to play through off-hand games by Discart.

off-hand.htm

 Page 1  2  3  4  5

ChessCentral
Guarantee:
Easy Returns
Low Shipping Rates
Prompt Delivery
Secure Servers
Privacy
Customer Support
Post Purchase
Customer Feedback

Chess Sets and
Chess Boards

Chess For Kids
Chess Software and Videos

Join our 
Member's Area for FREE Chess to Download!

Car Books
Helping you buy Porsche Books, Ferrari Books & all automotive books at great prices.