The New York herald., 1875-12-29
CENTENNIAL CHESS CONGRESS.
ARE ADEQUATE PREPARATIONS BEING MADE

FoR IT?
The rst American Chess Congress- held in this city
n 1857 not only demonstrated how widespread
throughout our country the interest ia this ias
cinatinr game but first made known 20 the world The
proves or the wondrous boy VINO subsequently, over
threw the veteran players on Europe in their own
capitals and who has since strangely retired from
chess world His career though brief and meteor
ike created such f4rors for the game that the
Der OF poor players legion and the number OF
good ones ssnsibly increased Despite the speedy
lrement from the neld Of those learned that
their ambition exceeded their capacity the Of
chess in America was undoubtedly greatly aided
by the Congress OF 1857. Since that period
the large German immigration has brought hlther
large number OF fair if FIRST rate, players, and
these with Mr.. Mckenzie and others from ''the fast
anchored isle added TO several rising young American
players, make array Of strength BY means to be
despised Mr. Bird has expressed himself as surprised
the number Of strong players he has met with here
and has ntmated that they might stil further
surprise OF his London compeers who are in the
habit Of regarding themselves so highly.
The last National Chess Congress of America held
in Chicago, in the summer Of 1874 and not
affair OF much magnitude Importance, that it
left a legacy what is likely to most annoying
iealouses and confusions The gentlemen there
bled formed an american Chess Association" after
The fashion Of those that exist in England and other
European countries for the purpose holding regular
conventions, national tournaments &C. and particularly
for the purpose Of holding IN Philadelphia, during the
Centennial Exhibition, grand international chess
congress, with prizes sufficiently large to tempt the
leading European players and to eclipse the great and
Paris in 1867, and az Vienna 1873 The idea
tanly good, and the gentlemen assembled ia Chicago
Immediately alter having taken the resolution
PRACTICALLY
toward realization OF their IDEAS by eecng execu
tive committee, and leaving in It's hands all iurtner
power and initiative before they left for their homes
They elected president Of the Executive Committee
gentleman Of doubtless estimablc personal qualities but
altogether unknown a chess player and sadly
lacking as il appears in the energy requisite
for the office that he holds II there
have been any public appeals for subscriptions they
have not found their way TO the chess players of
America; far as the writer can ascertain, no lists
OF contributors or amounts contributed have been
made public has there even been enough publicity
gwen TO the movement enable person desiring 10
add to the fund-i there is any fund-to find out TO
whom where send the money. The most
ordinary means have been neglected apparently One
of the most obvious means OF giving publicity 10 the
movement has been totally ignored In all sections Of
the Union there journals that devote portion OF
their space to chess weekly. In every OF these
sheets which reach all those interested the game
their vicinity there should have been standing notices
requesting donations for the prizes to be given the
Centennial Congress, and stating 10 what person and
place they should be sent The apathy thus far
exhibited threatens ruin altogether the project so
brilliantly conceived, and Is far from the usually
received conception of American energy we'll be
and other cities either silent the subject or
speak OF the future prospect in most dlscouraging
tones.
The Philadelphia Chess Club openly refuses to SUBJ
init 10 the authority OF the American Chess Associa
hon as il is now oeered and the action Of the club is
worthy OF all attention II being the largest nu-
entail and wealthlest association Of the kind in
America, and hardly second to the ST. Georges
OF London, which numbers Cabinet Ministers among
members The Philadelphia Chess Club, moreover has
pledged itself financially to most liberal amount and
deserves the most cordial operaton in its efforts 10
render the Centpnnial Chess
The 81. Louis Chess Club joins decidedly
with the Philadelphia organization its views the
matter, and the Boston Chess Club is understood
coincide with them. The
PROMINENT CHESS coTERIEs
should at enter INTO correspondence with the Pha
repha club and take measures to assist 10 the extent
Of their ability. Not unly their members, but the
merous provincial amateurs, who reside towns too
small TO maintain regular clubs. should be appealed TO
Tor assistance and the result be widely and promptly
rhroncled that native and foreign players may learn
The prospects Of success AS a people Americans are
proverbally liberal and there is scarcely any doubt
That the appeal would be heartily responded TO- Ii has
been recommended and the recommendation is worthy
Of attention, that Executive Committee be APP I
pointed, consisting of four more members of the l
wealthy and influential members Of the Philadelphia +
Chess Club and one each from the other clubs the
Union, which committee should confer speedily
possible, and, after arranging a programme for the I
.oIn'ng ss Een'enn@ eness CONGRESS, paonse
and at home. Much interest is already
manifested in England and on the Continent OF Europe
concerning the method, and II is only common
esy not 10 say honesty that foreign players should
know just what 10 expect voyage OF 1000 miles
with It's attendant dscomforts and expenses, is no
rifle TO undertake with the prospect in OF
Of partial or total remuneration tor lost
and money expended. Il is quite probable that
pf the visitors would return with nothing but
enlarged experience and whatever pleasure they had
lerived from the trip and the sojourn among
IL is 70 be hoped that the VISIT which Mr., Bird pro-
TO pay Philadelphia will not be altogether
barren Of results He is a gentleman who has had \
considerable experience In America and with Amer |
cans and is well fitted Judge concerning the proba-
plities Of the Congress turning out success
hilure The distinguished foreign players who have /
rvinced desire 70 pay us visit next year LOOK TO him
with much interest tor a report on the advisabity
OF undertaking the journey, and Will doubtless upon
the advice Of competent to judge. 1t will
dound much "a the nonor Of American chess and the
credit Of American chess players II his report be IA
vorable.