English Chess Forum

Stigler's Law of Eponymy states that no scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer.
Does chess provide any examples? e.g. openings not named after their inventor.

I think I read that Alekhine only played Alekhine's Defence a couple of times, and certainly wasn't the first do play it.

Jon D'Souza-Eva wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 11, 2024 7:40 pm

I think I read that Alekhine only played Alekhine's Defence a couple of times, and certainly wasn't the first to play it.

That is likely true of many if not most chess openings, however.

There are no instances in my Chessbase databases of Philidor playing Philidor's Defence (although this is because none of the listed games have an opponent playing 2.Nf3) or Petroff playing Petroff's Defence (although he is on record as having played against it).

Susan only indicated to Tartakower that he play 1.b4. There is no record that she or any of her species ever played the move themselves, is there?

David Gilbert wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 12, 2024 8:25 am

Susan only indicated to Tartakower that he play 1.b4. There is no record that she or any of her species ever played the move themselves, is there?

I'm not sure it really matters - the move goes back to at least 1868, which is before both Tartakower and his possible inspiration were born!