| Richard Hopkins | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Richard William Hopkins |
| Country | United States |
| Born | June 22, 1863 Arkansas, United States |
| Died | July 10, 1924 (aged 61) United States |
Richard Hopkins (June 22, 1863 – July 10, 1924), was an American chess player. Learning the game at an early age, Hopkins enjoyed success in several local tournaments and was considered by some to be a chess prodigy. Despite his early promise, Hopkins suffered from alcoholism and manic depression (thought to have been triggered by a head injury), adversely affecting his play and limiting his ability to consistently play at a competitive level.[1] He is best known for discovering the Hopkins Gambit, an aggressive variation of the Ruy Lopez. In his later years, Hopkins was a writer for his local newspaper.[2]
| Richard Hopkins (chess player) | |
|---|---|
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1898 |
| Rank | First Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | |
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Richard William Hopkins was born to William and Sarah Hopkins on June 22, 1863 in a rural farm town in Arkansas. His father was a Baptist minister and his mother worked as a shop keeper.[3] At an early age, Hopkins learned how to play chess on an old antique chess board rumored to have once belonged to George Washington.[4] Showing remarkable skill, his father placed bets with men in local taverns, challenging them to play a game with his son.[5] Based on his playing ability and the fact that his father was a minister, Hopkins gained the nickname "Jesus", which Hopkins strongly detested, believing the nickname to be blasphemous.[5]
Drawn to the patriotic call for war against Spain, Hopkins enlisted into the army.[6] He trained in Charleston in a cavalry unit until he was deployed to Cuba.[7]
After intense training, Hopkins was assigned to the Rough Riders under the command of Theodore Roosevelt.[9] Though not completely verified, Roosevelt was said to have played a game with Hopkins and lost.[10] During the Battle of San Juan Hill, Hopkins suffered a gunshot wound to both legs and a concussion after receiving a blow to the head by a rifle.[8] Faced with the possibility of death, Hopkins denied the surgeons permission to amputate his leg.[11] He spent days lying in a hospital bed and, to the surprise of the doctors, survived.[11] It is quite remarkable that he did not suffer from infection or succumb to blood loss.
After his injury, Hopkins returned to the United States to recuperate.[12] It took roughly 40 weeks in order for him to regain 80% function in his legs. However, due to muscle death, he lived with a slight limp and constant pain in his right leg.[13]
After regaining full mobility, Hopkins returned to playing competitive chess.[14] However, due to the lull of alcoholism and depression, he was never able to return to his previous playing ability.[15] Although no one knows for sure, his depression was most likely caused by his head injury, and was exacerbated by the death of his mother in 1901.
In 1901, at the age of 38, he met Sunda Kuriond, a native of Massachusetts.[16] After courting her for two months, the couple decided to elope to Minnesota.[17] They had two children, Timothy and Samuel.
Hopkins often wrote articles for the Sturbgon Weekly.[18] His topics ranged from utopian idealism to chess problems for the "enhancement of the new generation".[18]
On July 10, 1924, Hopkins was found dead in his bathtub at the age of 61. It was presumed that while bathing he became unconscious, subsequently drowning.[19] His body was cremated and, per his son's request, his ashes were subsequently scattered at an undisclosed location.[20]
The life of Richard Hopkins is relatively unknown. The majority of what is known is derived from first-hand accounts of those who knew Hopkins themselves or Hopkins' autobiography, My Life, in which he describes information on his early life and his years in the service.[21]
| This section uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves. |
Richard Hopkins is best known for discovering the Hopkins Gambit, characterized by the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. c4?!
The rarity of the Hopkins Gambit in modern competitive play is due to the inherent weakness of the d-pawn, which as a backwards pawn becomes a liability should Black take advantage.
Hopkins had two sons, Timothy and Samuel.[22] According to his father, Timothy was considered the "brute of the household", and was known for his frequent use of opium.[23] On the other hand, Samuel was considered an "ideal son", but died at the age of 24 from injuries obtained in an automobile accident.[22] During prohibition Timothy was involved in operation of a speakeasy and was arrested twice. After World War II, he opened a bakery in Ohio, which he ran for nearly thirty years.[24] During his last few years, Timothy Hopkins tried to spread the accomplishments of his father to all who would listen.[25] He died violently due to a gang murder at the age of 72 while walking through East Euclid, Ohio.[26]
| “ | One cannot rely on people's honesty. | ” |
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—- Richard Hopkins |
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| “ | I ain't no Jesus, but I am a brute. | ” |
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—- Richard Hopkins, on his nickname Jesus |
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