Editing Paul Morphy (section)

===Schooling and the First American Chess Congress===
[[File:Paul Morphy standing New York 1859.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|left|Morphy in 1857, studio of [[Mathew Brady]]<ref name="cb_operagame">{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Johannes |date=October 18, 2017 |title=50 games you should know: Morphy vs. Duke of Brunswick, Count Isoard |url=https://en.chessbase.com/post/50-games-paul-morphy-simple-powerful-strong |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408154216/https://en.chessbase.com/post/50-games-paul-morphy-simple-powerful-strong |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |access-date=August 1, 2023 |publisher=ChessBase}}</ref>]]
Beginning in 1850, Morphy played relatively little chess for a number of years, instead focusing on his education. Diligent in his studies, he received a [[bachelor's degree]] in 1854 from [[Spring Hill College]] in Mobile, Alabama, with his graduating thesis detailing what he saw as the narrow logical limits on justifications for war and secession by the southern states.{{sfn|Lawson|2010|p=xi}} He proceeded to spend an additional year on campus studying mathematics and philosophy, and in May 1855 was awarded a [[master's degree]] with the highest honors.{{sfn|Lawson|2010|pp=33–35}}

Morphy went on to study law at the [[Tulane University|University of Louisiana]] (now Tulane University), receiving an [[Bachelor of Laws|LL.B.]] degree on April 7, 1857. It has been claimed that Morphy memorized the complete [[Louisiana Civil Code]] during the course of his studies.<ref>[[Edward Winter (chess historian)|Edward Winter]], [http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/memory.html Memory Feats of Chess Masters], Chess Notes 2764 & 2886</ref>{{sfn|Lawson|2010|p=35}}

Not yet the required age to practice law, Morphy found himself with free time after graduation.{{sfn|Lawson|2010|p=41}} That year, he received an invitation to participate in the First [[American Chess Congress]], to be held from October 6 to November 10, 1857, in New York. Morphy initially declined, but later changed his mind at the urging of [[Alexander Beaufort Meek]], a judge and close family friend.{{sfn|Lawson|2010|pp=45-46}} The main event of the Congress was a 16-man knockout tournament, with each round consisting of short multi-game matches contested by the opponents.{{sfn|Fiske|1859|pp=59–61}} Also competing was the strong German chess master [[Louis Paulsen]], who was already aware of Morphy's talent, and said openly beforehand that he would be the tournament's victor. Moreover, while the competition was underway Paulsen repeatedly stated that if Morphy were to visit Europe, he could prove his status as the game's greatest living player.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--not stated--> |date=September 25, 1858 |title=Biography of Paul Morphy |trans-title= |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/50469338/ |work=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |page=2 |access-date=December 12, 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As predicted by Paulsen, Morphy defeated James Thompson in the first round, his family friend Meek in the quarter-finals, the German master [[Theodor Lichtenhein]] in the semifinals, and ultimately Paulsen himself in the finals, to win the tournament's grand prize.{{sfn|Fiske|1859|pp=74–95}}

After his victory, Morphy was immediately hailed as the chess champion of the United States, but he appeared to be unaffected by his sudden fame. According to the December 1857 issue of ''Chess Monthly'', "his genial disposition, his unaffected modesty and gentlemanly courtesy have endeared him to all his acquaintances."{{sfn|Lawson|2010|pp=78-79}} While staying in New York during the fall of 1857, Morphy played 261 games, both with and without odds. In regular games, Morphy's overall record was 87 wins, 8 draws, and 5 losses.{{sfn|Kasparov|2003|p=35}}<ref>{{harvnb|Lawson|2010|p=78}} gives 85 wins, 4 losses, and 8 draws.</ref>

Also in 1857, Morphy founded the Chess Club of New Orleans, becoming its first President.{{sfn|Fiske|1859|p=419}} Early in the following year, he was recruited by [[Daniel Fiske]] to serve as co-editor of his ''Chess Monthly'' publication, a position he held until the end of 1860.{{sfn|Lawson|2010|pp=76-77, 273}}
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