Joseph Henry Blackburne – "The Black Death"

He earned the nickname at the 1873 Vienna tournament. His intimidating black beard, aggressive play, and tendency to crush opponents quickly led the press to dub him "Der Schwarze Tod" (The Black Death).

He was a pure Romantic. He loved open lines, gambits, and tactical swindles. However, he was also a surprisingly strong endgame player, often using "Blackburne's Mate" (two Bishops) to finish games.

It is a dubious trap (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!) designed to catch beginners. Legend says Blackburne used it to hustle amateurs for a shilling a game in British chess cafes.

Yes! He famously defeated Emanuel Lasker in 1899 when Blackburne was 58 years old, proving his tactical vision never faded.

His greatest tournament success. He finished 3 full points ahead of second place (Zukertort), a margin of victory rarely seen in elite chess.

His game against Gifford (1874) is famous because spectators reportedly rushed to the board fearing an explosion, so violent was the attack.

In London 1899, playing the black pieces, he crushed the reigning World Champion Emanuel Lasker in a tactical melee.

Blackburne could play 16 games blindfold simultaneously without any loss in playing strength. He did this well into his 60s.

He played in international tournaments from 1862 all the way to 1914 (St. Petersburg), a longevity record rivaled only by Lasker and Korchnoi.

He was a leading exponent of the Scotch Game (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4), using it to open lines immediately.

He dominated British chess for decades, winning the national title in 1886 and 1914 (at age 72!).

A famous anecdote claims he drank an opponent's glass of whiskey during a simul. When the opponent complained, Blackburne said, "You left it en prise!"

A specific checkmate pattern using two Bishops (or Bishop + Knight) to hunt the King, which he executed frequently.

He frequently employed the Danish Gambit in exhibitions to ensure spectacular, quick wins.

Though Steinitz (the father of positional chess) usually won their matches, Blackburne's tactical wins against him are masterpieces of Romantic chess.

He composed over 400 chess problems, which kept his tactical eye sharp even in old age.

Remarkably, he didn't learn chess until age 18 (after being a draughts player), proving you don't have to be a child prodigy to become a legend.

He played the King's Gambit with Black (Falkbeer Counter-Gambit) and often met 1.d4 with the King's Indian, long before it was theory.

He was one of the first men in history to live entirely off chess, funding his life through simuls and exhibitions.

He famously said, "I never study chess. I only play it." (Though his games show deep preparation!).

At age 72, he defeated the young hypermodern Aron Nimzowitsch, proving that classical attacking principles still worked.

Despite his terrifying nickname, he was known as a gentle, humorous, and polite man away from the board.

His ability to calculate long variations was his superpower. He famously announced "Mate in 7" in complex positions.

He remains the most famous English chess player of the pre-computer era, bridging the gap between Morphy and the modern age.