New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-10-07
NATIONAL CHESS CONGRESS-.


764 Broadway and will probably prolons its SEES rs
through the next three weeks. The scene Of opera
tons is the most eligible in the city and the mannerln
which the rooms have beer decorated reflects much
credit upon he New-York Chess Club, and the Man
agrg Committee Of the Congress. Banners are dis
plsysd Of the United States, Grea. Britain, Frsnce,
Germany, Austria, Turkey, Mexico Spain and Ssr-
dips bearing the names Of the great masters in the
game, sach as Phihdor, Labourdonnais, Mcdonnell,
Seen. Del Rio, Damano, Biguer and Stamina, while
fpe bust of Franklin recognizes the early interest
which Americans took in this king OF games" The
aalooa il Lofty, we'll ventilated and adapted specially
for such an amusement, for literary purposes, to
which il has hitherto been devoted.
Col Mead, President of the New-York Chess Club
ard Chairman of the Committee Of Management,
called the Congress to order at ii n and moved the
Hon. A. b. Meek of Alabama, as President nomi'
ration which unanimously ratified.
Judge Meek, who is q splendid specimen Of man,
six feet four in his stockings made some appropriate
remarks in assuming the Presidency stating that his
nomination due to that distinguished courtesy fer
which New-YoIk was remarkable in her treatment Of
strangers. He then dsted upon the merits of the
game of chess in social moral and intellectual point
Of view, and expressed hope that it would shortly be
taught in our public schools, exercise of the
nlrO ana tllht III WOuu tepidCo ctuol
of matt ematcs. We are sorry we cannot give the
very excellent Grafton of the Judge IN eTteRso.
Col. Mead then read the following names for officers,
which were unanimously ratified:
Ttce.PresideRts-George Hammond, esq, of Bos-
ton; Albert X. Gallatn, esq, Of NevYork; Prot.
Henry vatbake of Pennsylvania Hiram kenncoa'
esq, If Illinois.
Secretary of tie Congress-Dariel w. Fiske, ESQ.,,
assistant Secretaries-Meesrs Thomls Frere Fred
erick Edge, Robert j. Dodge and William Miller.
MarshGls-D. Julien. esq, of the st. Denis Hotel,
Heibu'h, esq
Hiram Kernicott, esq., moved that the thanks Of
the members of the Congress be returned 10 the Com
mittee of Management for the very excellent arrange
ens provided.
Colonel Mead then read the following report of the
| Committee of Management
The idea of a national gathering Of the chess play
| ers of the United States first suggested in The
| Chess Monthl4 for March last So general was the
feeling in its among the players of this city, that
n President of the New. Yoik Chess Club called
que ino-the poprety of taking the preliminary steps
| toward the realization Of the project After consid-
cradle discussion, the New York Club unanimously
resolved that it very desirable that there should
be general reunion Of the foremost chess talent OF
TIE ration in place for the purposes of play de-
| bate and friendly interchange of opinion. Pro-
vsioral Committee, consisting OF Z. d. Mead r. Per
| Iip, W. w. Montgomery, j. Thompson ana ID. w;
Fisfe was appointed to ascertain the sentiments Of
ar ateurs in the various parts of the Union and to
take such other measures might be necessary and
proper This Committee issued circular on the 18th
Of April, which cent to oil the clubs and players
Of which any information coud be obtained The Ie'
sponses from source were st once hearty and Ia
vorable So general was the belief in the feasibility
of the proposed Congress, that the New York Commit
tee thought it advisable to take at once .
determine the time apG place majority OF the com
muuiC aODs received seemed to concur IN designating
this city where the project originated. "a the most
proper locality. Several however, inclined to Phlla-
| dephia from the number and well-known high cha
racer OF its players, and from the fact OF Its HAVING
been for long time sort ct traditional it seat % o.
dressed the Philadelphia Comm iitee upon this subject
They replied that, that city selected their ability
| to aid the fund world be materially increased, ana
that in such they would guarantee subscrip-
ton Of $500. As it appeared probable that larger
sum could be raised in New York, the Phhiadelph,ns
| cOurteousy conceded the point, ana New-fork was
chosen The tine decided upon seemed to SUIT better
than any other the convenience of majority OF those
| like 10 ate nd.
| These iupcrtent questions having been settled a
| Committee OF Management appointed by the
| New York and Brooklyn Clubs, consisting of Charles
ID. Mead, Charles III. Stanley James Tnompson, The
| odo,e Lichtenstein, W. w. Montgomery, F. Perrin:
ard Daniel w. Fiske, Of the former Association and
Daniel s. Roberts and 1hon Frere, of the latter.
A prospec tus was Immediately drawn up and pub
| ished. Subscription lists were started in New-fofk
ard other places Special CO mmttees were appointed
to prepare reports on the most important subjects 10
to fu fill the duties with which they were charged Inc
result is the present Congress.
The absence of any Of our distinguished players is
| to be regretted; but the Committee believe that no
time however convenient, and no place, however ac-
| cessble, would have been entirely free from such
contingency. The great extent OF our Republic and
the diverse pui suits of leading amateurs VIII rare
~ if ever permit full and universally attended gath
| eriDg Of the members of the Chess Community.
| Owing in measure 10 the present heavy commercial
and financial dep essiOn, the subscription to the Gen.
L. - L.r~ .ya,tta 1aalfh
could otherwise have been reasonably expected This
will considerably reduce the amount OF the prizes IN
the Grand Tournament. But, after all, honor 10 the
real prize for which every true Chess mao comoets.
and victory is the only reward he cOves In spite OF
these adverse circumstances, the Committee never
theless congratulate the members and ChessPlayers
everywhere upon the promised success OF the
| National Chess Congress. Considered on the hrst
assembags Of the devOtees Of chess in this western
world it will be and is trumphantly successful. 1t
will introduce TO each others acquaintance and esteem
several Of those men who have shown the acutenes;
of their Itelects and the greatness OF Their mental
powers in numberless contests upon the chequered
field; It will prove to the old world the real strength
and actus virtue of American chess; 1t will elevate
the STANDARD and enlarge the popularity OF the roya
passtime in this democratic country ana many, y
hoped that will add to the literature OF chess games
ard problems rot altogether unworthy OF the great
| and bonored dead-the old masters OF the ait OF
| chessplay. 49,,
The following COMMITTEES were then appointed;
Committee on the Cs CodeProf George Ale'. OF Phiia'
| delphs.
| Prot Henry Vethake Of Philadelphia
Samuel L. wis ESQ., Of Philadelphia
Paul Morphy, esq, Of NtwOrleans.
Prot H. r. Agnel Of West Point
Col Mead Of New-York.
DsEe Fske Of New York.
| The Hon. A. B. Meek Of Alabama
Committee American Ches' ibsoe'dtt'n.- JANA
| tin esq , of NeW.YOrt. -
| henry R. Worthington. esq. Of Brooklyn
| George Hammond, esq, Of Boston
| lanes Morgan, esq, of Chicago.
| IT'D Gro,jaD esq, Of San Francisco.
| james Thompson, esqp proposed that the business