James A. Leonard, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

James A. Leonard

American chess player

Date of Birth: 06-Nov-1841

Place of Birth: Ireland

Date of Death: 26-Sep-1862

Profession: chess player

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

James A.
Leonard (November 6, 1841 Ireland – September 26, 1862 Annapolis, Maryland) was a young American chess master, who grew up as a son of poor Irish immigrants in New York City.
He learned to play chess at age 16 or 17.
Before his 20th birthday, he was already famous for his fierce attacking play and prowess at blindfold chess, at which he played as many as ten games simultaneously. In 1862, he fought for the Union in the American Civil War.
He was captured, and while being held as a prisoner of war, died of dysentery before reaching his 21st birthday.
Commentators have compared his promise, never realized, to that of American chess giants Paul Morphy and Harry Nelson Pillsbury.