New-York tribune., 1879-11-14
An INrhRNA1IoNAL CHESS coNGRhsS.

PROPOSING 10 HOLD ONE Is THIS CITY IN JANUARY
CHANGES TO BE EFFECTED IN THE BRITISH
CODE.
Tie lovers of chess propose to bold an 1nterna-
tional Congress in this city in January which they
hope Will rival the famous tournaments held in
Europe. Since the Paris Congress Of last year, the
most brilliant and successful ever held, there has
been an earnest desire among American friends OF
the game TO gather here a similar assemblage Dur
ing the past Summer the Manhattan Chess Club of
this city has considered carefully the feasibility of
the project. The indications were 50 favorable to
success that it was decided that the Congress
should be held here this Winter. A Committee of
MANAGEMENT has been selected. of which w. T..
Miner Ex-Governor of Connecticut, is "A member.
and Frederick Perrin president The arrange
menis have not Yet been completed. but II Is pro-
posed, however, 10 hold tournament OF hrst-class
PLAYERS, beginning ON Iuesoay, January u, leoO,
Tor which the first prlze VIII be probably not less
than 500. Ii rs hoped that sufficient funds may
be raised 10 increase this prize 40 $1,000 and to
oier seN cTai smaller prizes IN the Same class, and
also in "A minor tournament for less skllfu players
A problem tournament open To all the world will
be another feature. Prizes of 500, $50 and go
will be offered Tor sets Ot Iour original
and unpublished problems, and special
prize OF $50 VIII be given Tor the
best single problem III the tournament. Two days
before the close of the tournament a Congress of
delegates Will meet to take action upon new chess
code.
This will lc the fifth Chess Congress held in this
country The first was assembled in this city in
1857, when Paul MOrphy first made ms appearance.
Brfo~e that there had been, perhaps, not more than
one in Che world. SIX Years before general Con-
gress of players had been held IN London. which
was "a great success. The second American Con-
gress was held IN 1870. al Cleveland; the third at
Chicago in 1873. aud he last III Philadelphia IN the
centennial wear. Ihev have been meanwhile
very frequent IN Europe, and at the one
held last year in Paris two Americans con-
tested-Captain Mackenzie, the present 81 l,am-
pion OF nus country, and james Mason. who is
now in London. The American champion carried
OF the fourth prize. and subsequently in private
play he defeated two who had received higher
przes than that awarded TO him. In all the French
tournaments the Government has furnished the
prizes whioh III the last contest amounted 10 more
than l 900 francs.
The proposal for an American Congress has re-
ceived the universal favor of prominent chess play
crs. Richard A. Proctor. the distinguished English
astronomer, who Is delivering course OF lectures
i'm this city, Is Yice-presdent of the British Chess
Association, of which Lord Lytton was the presi-
dent Among the prominent players who are eX-
pected TO he present are j. IL. Blackburne, the Eng
hsh champion Henry L. Bird. fine English play
er VINO was here about two years ago
DIR. Zukertort, of London. who took the
first pize at the Paris meeting last year
Henry HOsmer, OF Chicago, and John = Ryan, OF
this city. AT the Congress at London in 1862 the
British Association adopted n chess code which has
been adopted in all subsequent meetings. IL Is sad
that TINS code IS now inadequate TO the existing
conditions Of the game aud an effort will be made
10 amend and improve 10 to adapt IL TO modern
methods In the British code there are no rules for
the composition OF problems. Matches by telegraph
are PLAYED frequently now. and match is now 60
ing on between clubs at Liverpool and Calcutta.
There are no formal rules governing these contests.
The Congress Will be called upon to supply these
and other Deficiencies in the British code.