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

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

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

Curious Case of Samuel Rosenthal vs Prince Balaschoff - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
15 April 1899
The newspaper from Cardigan - Salopian - Montgomeryshire area put a chess column and reported interesting story each week. As shown in this issue.

Anecdotes:
As we known, Samuel Rosenthal once engaged in a court battle to one of his student Prince Balaschoff for breaking his lesson contract. The Montgomery County Times put a short report on this:

A curious chess law-suit before the first Chamber of the Civil Tribunal of Paris has just ended. Rosenthal, the well-known Polish chess master, resident in paris since 1867, was engaged about ten years ago by Prince Balaschoff as his professor of chess at £ 25 per month, to be increased to £40 per month whenever the Professor travelled with his pupil. Pupil and Professor, according to La Strategie, were on the best of terms for many years, they were even engaged in collaboration on a  grand chess treatise, when, suddenly, a few months ago, Professor Rosenthal received a somewhat unceremonious dismissal. He sued, in response, for £ 750 back salary fixed under the written agreement,  £50 for a final journey to Stuttgart, and  £1,250 for his unjustifiable dismissal and loss of profits on the projected treatise. The Civil Tribunal allowed the first demand, but rejected the two latter. We believe that this is the first time that compensation for chess services has figured so definitely in a court of law.

Game:
Medicus vs T.M. Kenny 1-0 , unknown
Ruy Lopez
Unknown game between two probably amateur players.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composer unknown

the Montgomery County Times - 15 April 1899

Blackburne vs Pillsbury 1899 Cable Chess Match - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
1 April 1899
Newspaper from Montgomery - Cardigan area, Wales. Chess Column starts around 1895 in this newspaper.

Game:
Henry Joseph Blackburne vs Harry Nelson Pillsbury 1-0, 4th Anglo American Cable Chess Match
Giuoco Piano

In this issue, The Montgomery County Times chess column highlight the first board of chess match in Great Britain vs USA cable match. The issue comments on Blackburne outsmarted Pillsbury in the pawn end game. A model chess game in this cable format.

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column

1 April 1899

tags: historical chess games, historical cable chess game, old chess game in newspaper, age of chess, descriptive notation, 1.p-k4 , Kt-Kt5Ch

J. Court vs J. Longwill 1899 Chess Game - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
4 March 1899
This is a newspaper from Wales, the titled alternating between "The Montgomery" and "The Cardigan" County Times. Chess column was found since their 1895 edition.

Game:
J. Court vs J. Longwill 1-0, ? 1899
Queen's Gambit Declined
Possibly strong amatetur player in Scotland area. No further information on the game featured in this issue. Mr. J. Longwill made it one more featured game in the week after. J. Longwill also found in the West vs East Scotland match in 1899.

Reports:
- Local news report from Wales - The Oswestry and Ellesmere Chess Club met. You can view strong player from these chess club in the article
- Ellesmere vs Wrexham chess club 1899, with top players listed in the article.
- Oswestry vs Ruabon chess club 1899, with top chess players revealed.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, taken from Illustrite Zeitung

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column

4 March 1899

Petroff Defence Trap MacKenzie - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
18 February 1899
Newspaper from Montgomeryshire, Salopian and Cardigan area, Wales runs a chess column.

Games:
Arthur John MacKenzie vs A.W. Forrest 1-0, Tournament Llandudno 1899 (?)
Petrov Defence
A miniature trap in Petroff Defence executed by Birmingham based player Arthur John MacKenzie against his unknown opponent.

Petroff Defence trap:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 d6 4.Nc3 Bg4 5.dxe5 Nfd7 6.Bc4 Nxe5 7.Nxe5 dxe5
( 7...Bxd1 8.Bxf7+ Ke7 9.Nd5# )
8.Bxf7+ 1-0

Harry Nelson Pillsbury vs Max Judd 1-0, Saint Louis 1898
Queen's Gambit Declined
Known game between the two American master around that time. The game annotated by The Montgomery County Times.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by P. Ivanowitzsch

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column

18 February 1899

Romantic Chess Attack in Scandinavian Defence 1899 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
27 May 1899
A newspaper from Montgomery, Salopian, Cardigan area. Chess column was their regular column since 1891.

Game:
J. Campbell vs Finlayson 1-0, Scotland Match East v West 1899
Scandinavian Defence
This game was prized "Best and Most Brilliant" by Isidor Gunsberg himself in the Sunday Daily Telegraph. The white side launched bishop sacrifice theme to the kingside. With modern engine, we can see that White is only a pawn up with all black's best defence, but this is the Romantic Chess era, and the Black side accepted the sacrifice with Romantic spirit. Both players were unknown and do not have any more details.

Problem:
White to move and mate in three moves, composed by Emilio Orsini
Originally issued in Montreal Gazzette 1898, the composition of this chess problem is unique to sole King from black side. See the solution HERE.

Romantic Chess Attack in Scandinavian Defence from 1899 Amateurs Chess Game:

The Montgomery County Times - 27 May 1899

Welsh Newspapers Online

tags: romantic chess attack, Scandinavian defence chess, scotland chess history, glasgow chess history, wales chess history, chess column in old newspaper

Showalter vs Janowski 1899 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times
4 February 1899
This is newspaper from Wales. On several occasion the newspaper is named The Cardigan County Times, but it was the same newspaper as The Montgomery County Times. Chess column was there since 1891.

Game:
Jackson Whipps Showalter vs David Janowski 1-0, Match New York 1899
Queen's Gambit Declined
Both strong master living in US on those years. They played match four times and in this issue, the column picked one of their game. Click the link to see game viewer and read the instructive commentary on this newspaper.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by Dr. Hermann

The Montgomery County Times Cardigan Wales

4 February 1899

tags: chess column in old newspaper, chess column from 19th century, age of chess, united states chess history, wales chess history

Chess Problem by M. Whittingham 1898 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times
8 January 1898
This newspaper from Montgomery, Wales area provide chess column weekly.

Game:
none

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by M. Whittingham, Welshpool.

Various reports on the local chess events in Montgomery Wales 1898

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column

8 January 1898 

How Many Positions in Chess Games - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomerry County Times, Wales
 4 January 1896
This is a newspaper from The Salopian & Montgomeryshire - Cardigan area of Wales. The chess column runs from 1895. Chess editor not named.

Game:
Mikhail Chigorin vs Wilhelm Steinitz 0-1, St. Petersburg 1895/96
Evans Gambit
The week's best chess tournament happened to be in St. Petersburg between four elite players, Lasker, Steinitz, Chigorin and Pillsbury. The newspaper picked up this tournament since last week.

Problem:
White to move and mate in four moves
The problem come with aesthetic circle shape and "Wishing You A Happy New Year" in the middle.

Anecdotes:
Interesting article on the number of positions the chess game can reach:

MORAL SUASION

Apropos of profound mathematical calculations we recount the following, which was going the rounds some time back-
The first player in chess has twenty moves to choose from on his first move, and, whichever of the twenty he takes, his opponent has the same number of replies," said Browne of our club the other day, smoking a Criterion cigarette as he stood with his back to the fire so that," continued he, there may be four hundred games of chess, only one move played on each side, and yet each position different."

"Prove it!" said Jones.
"Prove it!" replied Browne, with voice full of scornful disdain.
"Yes, prove it," cried Jones.
Jones was rather a big man, with a wooden leg, which he took off and placed by his side when playing a game of chess. He generally won, for there was a great deal of moral suasion about that leg. Browne said it was the only soft part about him.

"Mr Jones," replied Browne loftily—he was always polite when lofty-" after I have finished giving the club the information that I have called for their benefit, I will condescend to argue with yon. When four moves have been played," he went on, there may be 318,179,584,000 games, each position being different.

" Prove it!" shouted the irrascible Jones, who looked as if he wished it done on the spot.

"Gentlemen," coritiritzed Browne, not noticing the frustration,"the two Kings alone; never standing on adjacent squares, can be placed in 3,615 different positions.

"Prove it!" reiterated Jones, now getting his wooden leg into position, should it be required for the purpose of moral suasion.
"And further, gentlemen," said Browne, seven chessmen, say four white and three black, may occupy 128,746,434,575,809-"

But the sentence was never finished a booming noise, caused by a wooden leg in mid-air, suggested to us a rapid retreat, and the last we saw wns Brown ducking his head as if to avoid moral suasion.

The Montgomery County Times - 4 January 1896

Welsh Newspapers Online

tags: chess column in old newspaper, rare chess problem, aesthetic chess problem, wales chess history, montgomery chess history, chess mathematic

Chess Problem by A. Wheeler - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomerry County Times, Wales
 29 December 1895
This is a newspaper from The Salopian & Montgomeryshire - Cardigan area of Wales. The chess column runs from 1895. Chess editor not named.

Game:
none

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composed by A. Wheeler, Worksop
This is the correct version to the one found in Yet Another Chess Problem Database
Both provide mate in two for different black bishop position.

Anecdotes:
- It is recorded that Charles I was actually playing chess when the tidings came that the Scots intended to deliver him upl and Frederick the Great returned to his game after having heard yet more disastrous news.
- Samuel Warren recommended the game of chess to law students. Sydney Smith, Darwin, Douglas Jerrold, Dickens, Thackeray, Whately and Benjamin Franklin were all good chess players
- the calculation of chess positions and moves possibilities

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column and Problem 

29 December 1895

tags: rare chess problem from 1891, chess history wales, montgomery chess history, chess column in old newspaper

F.W. Lord vs H.W. Carson - R. Marriott vs A. Dodd Wales Chess Games - The Montgomerry County Times

The Montgomerry County Times, Wales
14 December 1895
This is a newspaper from The Salopian & Montgomeryshire - Cardigan area of Wales. The chess column runs from 1895. Chess editor not named.

Games:
Frederick William Lord vs H.W. Carson 1-0, City of London Chess Club v Metropolitan Chess Club
Ruy Lopez
Strong amateur player from the chess club mentioned, F.W. Lord and H.W. Carson only recorded one game in chessgames.com

mr. R. Marriott vs mr. A. Dod 0-1, Liverpool vs Manchester chess match 1895 (?)
Ponziani Opening C44
Yet another strong amateur level chess games between Liverpool and Manchester. mr. A. Dod recorded one game in chessgames.com also, while R. Marriott is harder to identify. The game is a rare Ponziani Opening I found from the era.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two moves, composer F.W. Andrews, London

the Montgomery County Times Chess Column

tags: Montgomery chess history, wales chess history, chess column in old newspaper, age of chess, rare chess games

E. Wallace vs Esling and E. Lasker Simuls in South Wales 1895 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
7 December 1895

The Montgomery County Times was newspaper from Cardigan area in Wales, UK. They provided regular chess column since November 1895. Chess editor was not named.

Games:
Albert Edward Wallace vs Frederick Karl Esling 1-0, Australian Championship 1895 Melbourne
Queen's Gambit Declined
Game is known and the full score of 1895 Australian Champion match info is here. The most valuable thing in the column was this game annotated by James Mason.

Emmanuel Lasker vs L. McEachran 1-0, Simultaneous South Wales 1895
Petrov Defence
This is possibly a newly found game for Lasker simuls in South Wales. The game was well played by Black side, Mr. L. McEachran. Unfortunately the transcription on the column contained many errors and I was unable to deciphered to the end. Reader that has experience can help. Nevertheless I put the game on the game viewer.

Reports:
-London vs Glasgow Correspondence game was won by the later.
-Mr. F.J.Lee, the well known professional has returned from America, and has been giving most successful simultaneous display in Dublin and Glasgow.

Problem:
Chess to play and mate in two, composed by Mrs. W.J.Baird ,  female problemist?

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column

7 December 1895 - Welsh Newspapers Online  

Game Viewer from PGN4Web, possibly Lasker new discover game?

tags: ageofchess.blogspot.com , chess history, historical chess column, welsh chess column, romantic chess, chess in 1895

Showalter vs Lipschutz 1895 - The Montgomery County Times Welsh

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
30 November 1895

The Montgomery County Times was newspaper from Cardigan area in Wales, UK. They provided regular chess column since November 1895. Chess editor was not named.

Game:
Jackson Whipps Showalter vs Samuel Lipschutz 1-0, US Championship Match 1895
Queen's Gambit Declined
Widely known match and games were recorded well. In this game Showalter shows two Knights is better when facing two Bishops.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two, composed by H. Cudmore

Reports:
Annual match between Liverpool vs Manchester, and each team's players listed. Among Liverpool players on first board was Amos Burn.

The Montgomery County Times chess column

30 November 1895 -  Welsh Newspapers Online  

tags: ageofchess.blogspot.com , chess history, historical chess column, welsh chess column, romantic chess, chess in 1895

Pillsbury vs Ryan (ca) 1895 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
23 November 1895

Wales based newspaper, The Montgomery County Times provided chess columns to their readers circa 1895.

Games (Status RARE):
Harry Nelson Pillsbury vs John S. Ryan 1-0, unknown 1895
Ruy Lopez

There is only one game founded from online search on Pillsbury vs Ryan, that was in 1893 and the game gone to 107 moves won by Pillsbury in Robatsch Opening. John S. Ryan probably New York based semi pro player as he was recorded in a tournament in 1895, his chessgames profile. This game was shorter and the final moves give a nice Queen (temp) sacrifice moment that perhaps made this game into the newspaper. A Rare Games to added to our Age of Chess blog collections. See game viewer below:

Reports:
- Hasting 1895 games statistic.
- The Duke of Marlborough is an enthusiastic chess player, so was his uncle late Lord Randolph Churchill.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two, composed by unknown.

The Montgomery County Times chess column

The Salopian & Montgomeryshire Post and Cardigan County Times

Welsh Newspapers Online search

Unknown game of Harry Nelson Pillsbury vs Ryan .... ?
tags: ageofchess.blogspot.com , chess history, unknown chess game, recent discovery chess games, romantic chess era, chess column from past newspaper

Rocamora vs Shipley Telegraph Game 1895 - The Montgomery County Times

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
16 November 1895

The Montgomery County Times was newspaper from Cardigan area in Wales, UK. They provided regular chess column since November 1895. Chess editor was not named.

Games:
Riccardo S. Rocamora vs Walter Penn Shipley 0-1, Manhattan Chess Club vs Franklin CC Telegraph 1895
Petrov Defence

Although sounds unfamiliar, both players were known to modern researcher. Riccard S. Rocamora's games can be found on chessgames.com and 365chess.com. And Walter Shipley can be found here. In fact, the game itself already known to database.

Irregular Opening game with no identity on the players.

Reports:
Interesting report that the Pope is extremely fond, of the royal game and has been a constant chess player for the last thirty years.

Pillsbury winning at recent Hastings tournament.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two, composed by V.L. Bert

The Montgomery County Times Chess Column Wales

16 November 1895 -  Welsh Newspapers Online search

tags: age of chess, chess history, chess rare games, chess mania, chess enthusiast, romantic chess games

King's Gambit - The Montgomery County Times 1895

The Montgomery County Times, Wales
9 November 1895

The Montgomery County Times was newspaper from Cardigan area in Wales, UK. They provided regular chess column since November 1895. Chess editor was not named.

Game:
A King's Gambit game played as the first game in the Ellesmere Tournament 1895.

Reports:
Report on Steinitz vs Tchigorin match, where a big six feet board being put as display for spectator, Havana Chess Club.
The Brooklyn Chess Club has challenged the British Chess Club to a match by cable, 1895.
Chess match between St. David's College Lampster vs University College Aberystwyth, end with 0-8 for the later. Professor Kirby vs G.J. Thomas 0-1 and so on.

Problem:
White to play and mate in two, composer was not named.

The Montgomery County Times chess column 9 November 1895

Welsh Newspapers Online search