The Turk and the Nearly Forgotten Tale of Fraud

Each of the 64 squares had on its underside a small iron ball suspended by a short thread. The base of each chess piece on the Turks chess board consisted of a strong magnet. By using levers the concealed player operated the Turks arm in hand to grasp the chess pieces and move them. After compiling this episode I decided it would be disingenuous not to download a chess set and have a few games. Having not played for almost 25 years I wasn't surprised to be soundly beaten. Chess really is a skillful game but one in which you have to stick to your own level.