The Secrets of the Turk

The Turk appeared across Europe, always profitably to buy a now rich Mazel. The North American Tour took place through the 1820s with matches being played in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Richmond. Dr Silas Mitchell elaborately revealed the secrets of the automaton chess machine in a series of articles for his 1860 magazine Chess Monthly. During performances, a concealed operator, the best chess player available sat inside the cabinet,. His upper body left, legs extending right and throughout his existence the Turk had 16 very skilled operators who were obviously well paid to keep quiet. For audience inspection, the drawer which also contained the chess pieces was opened first enabling the operator to lower his legs behind the drawer