A game of chess in café de la régence anno 1798 (latest) it is believed that the player on the left is philidor (1726-1795), who reigned as the world’s greatest chess player for 40 years until his death. He would need to offer at least a rook and start to almost all opponents except legall. An excellent description of this scene is contained in a chess article published by george walker in fraser’s magazine, 1840. It is almost as if walker was taking his description from this very painting. The far right figure, holding an umbrella under his arm is 83 year old legall (1702-1792), in his characteristic green coat. Date: 1798.
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