Mephisto (Automaton)

Mephisto was the name given to a chess-playing 'pseudo-automaton' built in 1876.

Constructed by Charles Gumpel, a manufacturer of artifical limbs, Mephisto was controlled from another room by electro-mechanical means and was originally operated by the chess master Isidor Gunsberg.

It was the first automaton to win a Chess tournament when it was entered in the Counties Chess Association in London in 1878.

In 1879 Mephisto, with Gunsberg, went on tour, defeating every male player. When playing ladies however, Mephisto would first obtain a winning position before losing the game; courteously offering to shake their hand afterwards.