St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-14
Problems Yer..ss Games.

ProOteEnS Fersns Games.
The debate about this between the Newark
Sunday call and the Baltimore Sunday Nssps is
so entertaining and suggestive that we cannot
refrain from quoting the two opposing argu-
menis in full.
The eau complains and says:
''Here is where. according TO our view, many
chess columns make a great mistake. They
give the first place TO problems and, provided
space be left, pad out the column with other
matter. The prime object OF 3 chess column IS
10 disseminate the knowledge OF the game To
do this good games and analyses are the chief
requisites. by the study Of which inferior PLAYERS
may advance to greater strength. Go into any
chess club and what viii you seeg Members
seated az the tables playing over some published
game or analytical article. Weak points In play
are thus provided against, new discoveries fixed
in the mind and the general knowledge OF the
game increased. Problems are the relaxation
from deeper studies. The fact Is that the world
greatest players are not problem composers. The
only problem attributed TO Morphy has been dis
puted. We have never seen problem by Stein t.
Zukertort, Mason, Potter, Mackenzie or Rosen-
thai, and only one by Blackburne, and that ono
was unsound. On the other hand the great
problemists are rarely hIst-class players. Mr..
G.. f. Carpenter, who stands among the highest
in the world, is in the fourth class Of the Man
haitian Chess Club. Mr.. S. LLOYD, confessedly
the first problem composer in the world was
bAlAg DSaNGu ny DGlIudr. VINO Is IN the Mauhlf
tan's second class. Indeed, very few frst-class
problem composers are also frst-elass players,
and vice versa
And now comes the NesCs, uttering a some
what uncertain note OF denial at first but soon
persuadng itself TO certainty:
ave greatly doubt the correctness Of the stand
taken by the Sunday CdH according 10 which
the players are TO be catered 10 in preference to
the problemist, in fact almost to their exelus on
We believe the class OF readers who manifest the
greate-t interest In the matter published should
receive the first attention The problem lovers
write 10 the editor criticlsing. reviewing and ex
pressing their opinions freely on any and every
topic of interest They contribute directly and in
directly the largest portion Of the origins matter
contained in his chess column, they are 10 the
chess editor as the voters 10 the politician
De must please them in order 10 make his de-
partment a success, in fact judged from the COM
munications received there are none Others 10
please, for the probemists and soivers are the
only ones that do express any satisfaction or dis
approval
What have the players done that they should
be ranked so highf Being in doubt as 10 the
esteem in which the players held the Sunday
Ae1rS chess column, as they never condescen ded
10 commend or criticize our Efforts 10 please
them. we determined. il possible, TO test their
estimation Of its value. We first gave the best
OF selected games, with good notes, which clio
tied no comment. We then gave the best games
/
same result, we then gave good original games
without notes, ditto result; we then gave poor
| games without notes, ditto again; we then gave
! the poorest games We could end, ditto again
Determined 10 do or die the games were
printed containing numerous Typographical er-
rors so Satan himself couldn't understand them.
| but no response from the players. Then in the
frenzy OF desperation, expecting to force an IN
! conditional surrender from the enemy we sun
pressed the game department entirely, and what
was the resulty We never heard 3 word from
any person on the subject, and presume II had
no result.
The call apparently desires 70 ignore the prob
lem art and dismisses IL from consideration Is IL
not worthy Of thought This is a great mistake
The problem art can never be extinguished IL
Is elevating the game and viii continue 10 do so.
During DR.. Zukertort's visit 10 the ThurloW
Chess Club he frequently spoke OF artistic
mates. While playing game with Mr.. Fox
reaching position where several lines OF play
would easily effect mate, be took quite a long
time 10 consider his move, and, a. IL apologizins
Tor the time consumed, stated he desired to give
an artistic mate. The crude mate that would
have unthinkingly been chosen by an ordinary
player before problems were studied as they are
at present was rejected, and a clean, pure sur
prisingy pretty mate was chosen in its stead: in
fact 1t was neat and clever problem.
The problem art OF to-day has become a sonar
ate part OF the game, and its present high state
OF perfection. we consider ii ranks in importance
with the game. The problem art bears the same
relation 10 the game as does the rude outline 10
the finished picture. The outline contains All
that Is expressed in the picture, but the lights
ana shades which bring lie salient features into
bold prominence are lacking. The game con
tains the crude material. the problem the same
in a finished and more pleasing condition We
are convinced beginner will make better pro
gress and become better player by devoting
about equal proportions Of his time to the study
fh a IL
his time 10 the game. The many striking post
ions found in problems are seldom noticed in ac-
tual games and We contend the true beauty
OF the game will never be scovered BY the
player II he does not devote some time 10 the
study OF problems. Problemists have done
more 10 beautify, ornament and render the
game attractive aud popular than all the great
players who ever lived"