Paul Morphy is perhaps the most brilliant and enigmatic chess champion of all time. He burst onto the scene in 1858 as a 20-year-old and dominated the chess world for two short years, but at the age of 22 he suddenly and permanently retired from serious competition. There are many important biographies and game collections about Morphy. Award-winning chess author Charles Hertan brings us something new - a comprehensive modern biography that delves deep into his fascinating history, unearthing new information about Morphy's origins, intertwined with an in-depth exploration of Morphy's games, often overturning over 160 years of previous analysis.