Wally and Käthe Henschel were twins, born in Hamburg on 09.09.1893. In the 1920s and 1930s they were among the best players in Hamburg, and in 1930 Wally even beat Vera Menchik at the Women's World Championship Tournament in Hamburg - the only game Menchik ever lost in a Women's World Championship Tournament. But after the Kristallnacht pogrom on 9 November 1938, the twins, who came from a Jewish family, decided to flee to the USA, where they went on to play in the U.S. Women's Championships and where Wally may even have played against Bobby Fischer. | Photo: The Henschel family
Paul Morphy needs no introduction. On the occasion of his 138th death anniversary, Eugene Manlapao revisits the exploits of the chess genius and the peculiar circumstances of his success that seemingly recurred in the rise of succeeding American champions.
George Henry McKenzie led an interesting life and was one the strongest players of the 19th century but today he is almost forgotten. Born in Scotland and a soldier by profession, McKenzie lived in Germany, France, South Africa and India until he finally settled in the US. On the occasion of McKenzie's 185th birthday Eugene Manlapao takes a look at the life and at the chess career of this American Master.
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