François Antoine de Legall de Kermeur

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Illustration of Café de la Régence, Paris, where François Antoine de Legall de Kermeur used to play chess.

📸 Illustration of Café de la Régence, Paris, 1874 Source: Drawing by M. Horsin-Déon / Etching by L. Chapon
Image License: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Source: Alamy Stock Photo

The Chess Mentor Who Shaped Philidor

Born: September 4, 1702, Versailles, France
Died: 1792, Paris, France

François Antoine de Legall de Kermeur was one of the strongest chess players of the 18th century from France and a key figure in the development of chess strategy. Though few of his games are recorded, his influence on the game is undeniable, particularly as the mentor of François-André Danican Philidor, who would later surpass him.

The Master of the Café de la Régence

Legall was a dominant presence at the famous Café de la Régence in Paris, a historic chess venue where intellectuals, including Voltaire and Rousseau, gathered. Before Philidor’s rise, Legall was widely regarded as the strongest player in France, holding this title for several decades. His style was characterized by aggressive tactical play, favoring swift attacks and brilliant combinations.

Legall’s Mate is one of the most well-documented tactical motifs in chess history, demonstrating an elegant queen sacrifice leading to checkmate. (Wikipedia)

The Famous Legall’s Mate

Legall is most remembered for a brilliant tactical checkmate, now known as Legall’s Mate. This occurs when a player sacrifices their queen to set up a forced checkmate with minor pieces. Though the exact origin of the combination is uncertain, it was popularized through a game Legall played against Saint Brie in 1787:

Game 1

This elegant finish remains a fundamental tactical pattern in modern chess instruction. Can you find the winning moves in similar positions? Try our interactive Legall’s Mate challenge below!

Mentor to a Chess Legend

In the 1740s, Legall took a young Philidor under his wing at the Café de la Régence. Initially, he gave Philidor rook odds, but within three years, Philidor had surpassed him. Despite being eclipsed by his student, Legall’s influence on Philidor’s understanding of chess strategy played a crucial role in shaping one of the greatest players of all time.

A Legacy in Chess History

Although only a few of Legall’s games have survived, his impact on chess theory and tactics continues through the enduring legacy of Legall’s Mate. His role as a teacher and top player in his time solidifies his place in the history of chess.

François Antoine de Legall de Kermeur

François Antoine de Legall de Kermeur, France

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📸 Illustration of Café de la Régence, Paris, 1874
Source: Drawing by M. Horsin-Déon / Etching by L. Chapon
Image License: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Source: Alamy Stock Photo

Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.