Friday, August 22, 2014

Dr.W.C.Spencer Chess Game - The Saint Paul Sunday Globe 1884

The Saint Paul Sunday Globe
September 28, 1884

The Saint Paul Daily and Sunday Globe has chess column around the end of 19th century. They simply "address to chess editor.."

the saint paul sunday globe - chess column September 28 1884



Games:
Dr.W.C.Spencer vs Dr. H 1-0 - Game 4 , Chicago circa 1884
Ruy Lopez

Although there were plenty of references to Dr. W.C. Spencer in chess, mainly about Chicago on that time, there were lesser known game of him. This is one of the Dr. W.C. Spencer chess games , unpublished said the newspaper.


Problems:
by Dr. P.F. Harvey , USA Fort Snelling, Minn - White to play and mate in two moves

End Game:
contributed by Emmet Hamilton

Chess Literature:
About new chess literature by "chess editor of  Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, Mr. J. W. Miller.". The most comprehensive work on the chess openings that has yet appeared in the English language. 270 pages. The first 140 pages are a faithful reproduction of the latest edition of Wm. Cook's "Synopsis of the Openings". The remaining 130 pages contain "the American Supplement of the (Chess) Synopsis", with American inventions in the chess openings and fresh analysis since 1882.

tags: historical chicago chess, saint paul newspaper chess column, romantic chess, age of chess, ruy lopez chess history

Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Chess Games of Crakanthorp - Forgotten Master from Australia

These are eight newspaper scans about chess player S. Crakanthorp. You can read the article on chessgames.com  and in Wikipedia.

"Spencer Crakanthorp (born Feb-17-1885, died Aug-01-1936) Australia, He was Australian Champion in 1923-24, 1925-26, 1926 and 1927. Son of Lawrence Spencer Crakanthorp, he was also the father-in-law of Cecil John Seddon Purdy and the grandfather of John Spencer Purdy. He passed away in Sydney in 1936." - chessgames.com

The article was a little bit confusion in which some did not tell which Crakanthorp it was. I left this for chess historian to examine.

Here's the articles:

The Sidney morning herald 1904-06-11 CG Watson vs L.S. Crakanthorp
Ruy Lopez


The Sidney morning herald 1913-08-08 W. Samuel Viner vs Spencer Crakanthorp Australia Championship Chess

the Sidney Morning Herald 1931-04-16 Crakanthorp vs Bunyan
Vienna

The Sidney Morning Herald 1935-05-09 Koshnitsky vs Spencer Crakanthorp new game
Dutch Defence

the Sidney morning herald 1935-09-02 S. Crakanthorp vs G. Koshnitsky
Queen's Indian Defence



the Sidney morning herald 1935-10-23 W.J. Greenfield vs S. Crakanthorp
Alekhine Defence




The Sidney Morning Herald 1951-03-25 Crakanthorp vs Hill
Vienna Game








Tuesday, November 19, 2013

James Mason vs Amos Burn annotated by Pillsbury 1895 - Montgomery County Times Newspaper

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
13 January 1900
Chess column from The Montgomery County Times Wales provided chess reports, problems and annotation. Such as in this issue.

Game:
James Mason vs Amos Burn 1-0, Hastings 185
English Opening - Agincourt Defence A13
Harry Nelson Pillsbury give annotation to this interesting tactical chess game between Mason and Burn. With today's computer engine, the tactic variation which Pillsbury given was contained error and not the best moves. Interesting insight to their chess thinking of that romantic era of chess.
See game viewer below with additional comments based on computer suggestion.

Problem:
White to play and mate in three moves, composed by unknown

Reports:
- Whilst lately visiting the headquarters of chess in London, Simpson's Divan in the Strand, we missed some old habitu'es and noticed some fresh recruits. The most notable absentee was Bird, the veteran player, who was lying on a sich bed, but is since, we are pleased to say, much better. Blackburn was also absent being on a chess tour in Scotland. Van Vliet, the genial chess editor of the Hereford Times was there deep in the mystery of an intricate hcess combination and apparently oblivious of all around him. Lee was also present and playing that game of dominoes called Matador, which seems to be a favourite game amonst freequenters of the Divan.

The mention of Simpson's Divan reminds us of an amusing story whic is told of it. A cretain well-known habitue was well known to have an aversion to having a money stake on his game, much to the disgust of the many professionals who frequent the rooms. During a game which he was playing with one of the masters, a bystander was making himself objectionable by remarking audibly on the progress of the game, and at last finished up by saying, "I am glad to see you object to the filthy lucre, Mr....." To which Mr....., whose patience was now quite exhausted, replied, "it is not the filthy lucre I object to, but the filthy looker-on." Collapse of bystander.


The Montgomery County Times chess column - 13 January 1900

game viewer : Old chess game annotation by Harry N. Pillbsury - James Mason vs Amos Burn

Steinitz vs Janowski London 1899 - Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
10 June 1899
A chess column was a regular in The Montgomery County Times, newspaper coming from The Salopian , Montgomeryshire and Cardigan area of Wales

Games:
Wilhelm Steinitz vs David Janowski 0-1, 1899 London
Queen's Gambit Declined
Although David Janowski never reach the super elite chess player of his times, he did produced a lot of excellency games. In this game he defeated Steinitz during the famous super strong 1899 London, won by Lasker. Janowski and Pillsbury were second and third place.

This issue also give two miniature games as can be see in the scanned.

Problem:
White to move and mate in four moves, composed by Sheriff Spens

This issue of Montgomery County Times chess column was focus on the report of 1899 London chess tournament.


The Montgomery County Times chess column 1899

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Showalter vs Janowski 3rd Match 1-0 1899 - Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
29 April 1899
Newspaper based in Montgomery district, Wales. Chess column was already found since 1895. Sometimes it published as The Cardigan County Times, which is the same newspaper as The Montgomery County Times.

Game:
Jackson Whipps Showalter vs David Janowski 1-0, 3rd Match
Irregular Queen's Pawn Opening - Stonewall Attack
The match between two American '2600 rating' Grandmaster, as they were never in the league of Steinitz or Lasker, Showalter and Janowski. This is their third match. The issue of this week's chess column put in extensive annotation for this chess game. Enjoy.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by R. Steinweg

Report:
- Interesting report about the death of James Wylies, the celebrated "Herd Laddie". He was noted as draughts player and more info can be found here.

The Cardigan County Times chess column 1899

1899 East vs West Scotland Chess Games - Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
20 May 1899
Chess column from Wales newspaper, running since 1895

Game:
J.R. Longwill vs D.Y. Mills 0-1, East vs West Scottish Match 1899
Queen's Gambit Declined
Board 1 of the Scottish East and West match in 1899, the game adjucated as win for Black. This is probably strong amateur players as their names did not included in major databases. J.R. Longwill also can be found on this article and this.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by R.G . Thompson

Report:
- Exciting news about The London 1899 tournament. Which will attended by Lasker, Steintiz, Tarrasch, Tchigorin, Burn, and Pillsbury.


The Montgomery County Times Wales chess column

tags: historical wales chess, wales newspaper chess column, romantic chess, age of chess

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Van Vliet Chess Simultaneous at Hereford 1899 - Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
6 May 1899
Chess column in the Montgomery County Times, newspaper from Wales

Game: (Status RARE)
Van Vliet vs Mr. Collins 1-0, Simultaneous at Hereford 1899
French Defence
This is most probably refer to Louis Van Vliet, a naturalized English from Netherland.  Strong chess player and he was editor to Sunday Times and Hereford Times.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves.

Reports:
- Miss Mary Rudge, the Lady champion of the world, is on a visit to Dublin.


the Montgomery County Times chess column 1899

tag: historical chess column, chess column from old newspaper, wales chess history, rare chess simul games