“Pleased to meet you Count Isouard” Morphy said with a bow as he realized it was too late.  The chess master had been duped.  He was caught in their trap.  ‘I should have seen this coming’ he thought as he sighed with contempt for his talent.  Morphy’s first move, an attempt to divert the topic, “I’ve heard wonderful things of Norma.  I am very much looking forward to watching the opera.” he said with hopes that his intent to view the opera was apparent and would be respected.<br/><br/>Morphy briefly considered running – literally – running out of the opera house after he realized that the two<em>noblemen</em>, the scoundrels, had seated him with his back to the stage.  Morphy considered his position, ‘How exciting, I’ll get to watch everyone else watch the opera.’ he thought.<br/><br/>Postponement was his next tactic.  “Perhaps, gentlemen, we should wait until after the performance before we conduct our match?  I wouldn’t want you to be distracted by the singing and dancing.”<br/><br/>When it became evident that the chess match was nigh inescapable, the Alcatraz of chess matches, Morphy plopped down into a lavish armchair.  His back to the stage and a big fake smile smeared across his face.  “Very well Gentlemen.  The challenge has been issued.  I reserve the right to play the white pieces.”<br/><br/>The orchestra began to play it’s music announcing the start of the opera.  The patrons claimed their seats, all facing the correct way, and the curtain was raised.  With the first notes of the opera, Paul Morphy snatched the King’s pawn from it’s starting place and moved it two squares forward. (1.e4)<br/>