Morphy by all accounts had a pleasant childhood growing up in a New Orleans Mansion, and every Sunday the family would have chess excursions on their huge front porch.

Lowenthaul, A famous Hungarian chess master who recently moved to the United States was travelling around playing the best chess masters in the region. Morphy's father, a respected Judge, invited Lowenthaul to the family mansion for dinner and to play a few games iwth the young prodigy. Lowenthaul had played young talents before, and expected to smash Morphy, and considered the informal match as a waste of time but accepted the offer as a courtesy to the well-to-do Judge.

Morphy was 12 years old at the time and small for his age. When Lowenthaul met him, he patted him on the head in a patronizing manner. He expected no more from Morphy than the usual talented young players he had played before.

When the first game began, Lowenthaul got to about move 12 and realized he was up against something very special. He slowed way down on his moves, and did funny eye brow movements after Morphy completed ever move. He was shocked at the power he was up against.

In the 3 game match, Morphy won all 3 games.

From this time on, the Morphy family knew they had truly something special in their hands in little Paul.