Tags: Chess Player.
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.
