Benjamin Franklin: America’s First Known Chess Player

On this episode of Our American Stories, Ben Franklin had more “firsts” than most Americans could dream of. But before he was a statesman, a printer, or the face on the hundred-dollar bill, Benjamin Franklin was a devoted chess player. In fact, Benjamin Franklin’s chess history goes back further than most people realize. He is widely considered America’s first known chess player and the first American to write seriously about the game. Elliott Drago, a historian and editorial officer at the Jack Miller Center, shares the story.

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