This intriguing book explores one of Ben Franklin's lesser-known contributions to American culture: his interest in the game of chess. In addition to playing and writing about chess, Franklin published an essay on the game in 1786, titled 'The Morals of Chess'. This essay, which is reproduced in full in this book, lays out Franklin's philosophy of chess as a valuable tool for developing virtues such as prudence, foresight, and circumspection. This book is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of one of America's founding fathers.

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