The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-17
A CHESS EXPERT.
Arrival of J. III. Showalter, the
Eastern Player.
Local Artists to Test His skill-Ee Proclaims
steinitz the Worlds Champion-His
Views on the Game.

]. II. Showalter, one of the most prom
inent of native American chess-players, and
whom good judges predict will soon equal
Steinitz, the chess champion Of the world, is
now in the city. This is his first visit to
California. Business and pleasure COM
bined have brought him here During his
stay in San Franci-co, which viii be of
about months duration, he will be the
guest of the Mechanics Institute Chess
Club, in whose rooms he will daily display
his mastery of the royal game.
He will play some match games with the
best play Of The various local clubs, and
such experts as Messrs. Redding, Lovegrove
and DR.. Marshall have already consented 10
cross swords with him. The games viii
most probably be played in the Mechanics
Institute rooms.
Mr.. Showalter comes from Georgetown,
K y. lie is a most progressing gentleman.
about so years of age, and of pleasing adj
dress and appearance.
Speaking to a CALL reporter yesterday
on the topic Of chess, he said: Il have
played the game ever since l was boy, but
1t has only been within the last five or six
years that gained any deep insight into the
game.
BIS FIRST APPEARANCE.
-" made my first public appearance in
tournament in 1889, when L took part in the
International Chess Congress held in New
York. There were twenty contestants, and
l gained ninth place. Lust year was more
successful, taking first place in the tourna-
ment, at Chicago, OF the United States Chess
Association, against LipSchritz and Pollock.
There will be another tournament held this
year at Lexington, KY, beginning on
August 4ih in which l shall take part, as
will Pollock OF Baltimore. Max Judd of St.
Louis; very strong player, Lipschritz of
New York and others.
" am an honorary member OF every chess
club IN the. country, believe, and am an
active one of the Manhattan Club Of New
York. l do not know ii it be any special
honor, but, as far as | can ascertain, | am
the youngest public chess player in
America"
Who is the greatest living chess player?"
"Steiniiz, most certainly. There can be
no doubt about his being the champion.
He is Bohemian by birth, l believe. AT
present he Is in New York, where he has
lived for the past two years"
NO NEW PLAYS.
In reply to a question as to what new
openings OF gambits had recently been in
vented, Mr.. Showalter said: Chess is too
old a game; 1t has been played TOO
many. ages for any really new dis
coyeries to be made in it. What are
are simply the old ones reyiv with the
slightest Of variations 1t IS true that in
many instances attacks condemned years ago
as unsound have been studied over again,
demonstrated 10 be sound, and played again
successfully, but that does not make them
new inventions. The game is the same as
ever The changes are in developing new
lines as the play progresses and varying the
cross ganbitS, defensive and aggressive
plays. My remarks apply to new inventions
IN play. solely to the openings and gambits,
Tor as the game proceeds new combinations
are constantly being made by the advanced
players. 1t is simply impossible to number
the possible variations of Il game of chess