Napoleon Bonaparte was a great, great man. He was a demon on the battlefield, a military prodigy, effortlessly obliterating his enemies. He was a demon on the chessboard, an unsung tactical master, trouncing those foolish enough to challenge him. He was a demon in the sack, mightily endowed, an immortal stallion. Right, uh, luckily, several of Napoleon's chess games were recorded for posterity.


Malmaison Castle, 1804
White: Napoleon I
Black: Madame de Remusat

1. Nc3 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. e4 f5
4. h3 fxe4
5. Nxe4 Nc6
6. Nfg5 d5
7. Qh5+ g6
8. Qf3 Nh6
9. Nf6+ Ke7
10. Nxd5+ Kd6
11. Ne4+ Kxd5
12. Bc4+ Kxc4
13. Qb3+ Kd4
14. Qd3 mate

St. Helena, 1818
White: Napoleon I
Black: General Bertrand

1. Nf3 Nc6
2. e4 e5
3. d4 Nxd4
4. Nxd4 exd4
5. Bc4 Bc5
6. c3 Qe7
7. O-O Qe5
8. f4 dxc3+
9. Kh1 cxb2
10. Bxf7+ Kd8
11. fxe5 bxa1=Q
12. Bxg8 Be7
13. Qb3 a5
14. Rf8+ Bxf8
15. Bg5+ Be7
16. Bxe7+ Kxe7
17. Qf7+ Kd8
18. Qf8#