New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-04
CHESS-TABLE TALK.
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL AND CHARLEo
BRADLAUGII AS CHESS PLAYERS.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Mo doath Of Charles EradlanCh. VI. p, on tF0a

II
Sir Tie death of Charles BradlauGh NJ F. on rriuaS
,.st romoved one OF the most enthusiastic and liberal
chess supporters in England. II Is OF course ouVS0
of my province to say anything about MS rensou
or political opinions and controversies p"U 'ho w
lowing "reminiscences of hi relations to enc ~
chess PLAYERS, which are also characteristic III INV
same connection as one Of his stancheSt ana 9lo''
fan,ops opponeuts i'm politics will, believe, be o. III
iNrest 10 general readers as well as TO chess dmacf
In 1850 Lord Randolph Churchill, with "ho'h
had already played previously at OXioN III l'"' VIZ
he was a university student, and also so"o SN'-
later at the ST. George Chess CluD OF Lo"uo''' "
which we were both members, invited me 10 n's
mansion in St James square for inc purpose -
giving him theoretical instructions about ohes' op'"
irgs which could not conveniently lie done at Vui
clnL rnsuaIly our sittingS began at ~ d. W.
and lasted for some hourS Lord ChurcheH Seencu "
enjoy the game very much. lie sald 'h't Ms
had ordered him to try and amuse himseH a. nu.
as possible outside Of business. and ior 'hle ho i
pothinr 50 effective as playing chess. III pu's III,
,hnvcbts into other channels and can free myseil
entirely from all political cares when pay NV
oauc he remarked once. In our c"hNcIS"u"" ~
fore and after play, or some time al lui'"eo" ,
thc sitting extended TO the hour fixed l'r 'l'' me-
we talked only on general topics fol!ucs WIZ
to,,chcd mon But on one occasion Lord ChuFchlI
looked at hi, watch and said to me: Now uiu''
leave you in the charge of Lady Churchill ior '"u
on 20 the Uousc There will be hot dcoatc 'ou''
about the Bradlaugh affair." ,, g..
Il hope Won will be lcaicnt with MI br"tl""7''
T vontured 10 answer, for l have known MN iO
eighteen years. and he has always oehaVeu nav
gentleman" Ny hosts, who had always utdu'" "
very kindly seemed to be somewhat surprised al ms
hut Lord Churchill answered in the most pea ,-'
manner: - am glad TO hear that Mr. BrauIa's" az
some good qualities, and should Ike 10 learn s0"0
thing more about him personally" 49,
II was on that day that the remarkable scene IN inc
House of Commons occurred. when LoTu OH.u i' -
tba conr.e Of the debate on the question OF the al
mission OF Mr. Bradaugh into Parliament I'" q
massage from one of Mr. BraiaughS books Which con
tanned some dsrespectful language about the queen
~ England and then 1ung the book contemp'uou>H
across the floor Of the House. Lord CHHG'h "''''
ward assured me that this act wa IN 10 way pr
ueditated but he had adopted 1t under suuu'" ''
pulse and was quite sincere in hs ACTON. ''e,'''"2
ess he inquired about Mr.. Bradlauehs S'rens'" a. "
PLAYER and his personal bearing In che'' 'H'"S -, "
manner which did not show the slightest rIe!uu'r'
and said. .Pernaps Won are right in ycur high
estimation Of Mr.. Bradaugh a private gentleman
hit even if considered you mistaken IL "oin l'''
alter nv friendly feelings toward yourself we H-'
in the Uouse sometimes tooth am nal. but on'N"r
of the House one man is generally as Sood as a'oei
Lord Churchill is more than policeman ~ "''H >
bo is a gentleman. My visits 10 his mansion con
tnued for some months during that Parliamentary
season and all through the next, and was Is hhoP
treated A. before by himself and the srifeiu American
lady who shares his titles and honors lie Won"
occasionally ask me whether lad seen Mt III
and PLAYED with him, but he did not pas any N.Y.
worthy remark abou; his political opponent I'W"IN
the end of ISL he became too buSily engaeen III
politics and ceased his chess pracuce but iIe sun
continued TO take an interest in the game lie Wa
= warm promoter OF the London Chess congress ~
1s53 hut he only appeared once during thc pay ~
the chief tournament on the DAY on winch "'
meet Zukertort In the first game. lie afrlNeu ca, ~
when ONLY a few moves had been made ana ai'''
quietly shaking hands with me and my opponent ~
sat on my side for about three hours
Mr. Bradlauch belonged 10 the strong class Oh mei"
bcrs with whom no expert could Afford 10 triie' IL
never took odds for he could hold his own Oh cN''
terms and occasionally win in light sklttie CANT
against masters. including myself. But thoush 1T
was delighted when he obtained suCh N'"'H ~
vou,d mostly a,cribe his succe, against superior
rlayer TO some chance" or nuke. lie sceWVd I"
mold the opinions OF chess masters on general suDI'c
in hrh estimation Whenever ne won one OF Ms famous
lawsuits against the GOVcU mcnt Oh the question D
lie administration OF the oath IN when nc IouE"
handed against the best lawyers Of the country
including the Attouey- General of England he "oui'
come up the weil-hnown Lonooh chc's icS0i
SIMPSONS Dvan, in the strand, ana 'cifDid~ ~
victory by treating the poesaoli PLAYERS "Itl c'In'
raCne Yet he never ntraGed his religious or POM
cal opinions on any one ana ne 'ohI.u III" ~ ~
a1swerinc questions on the subjects without tahl
any offence when his authority Wa, disputed oi iI
contrary he would even take some ChdIi t0"l ma
noledy. ! remember that on ore occasion ne aF'l'
ioned In the laugh when in the course Of dScu'soI
/ remarked 10 him. You. cannot solve the eGG
mystery of life aud OF time and space. III you WIS.,
To- dissuade the people from believing IL Coniucm
Wn.es Christ and llahOmet, you certainly cahh0
cNuect them TO believe IN Bradiaugh" tor Hdl'
years he made II point 10 appear al al oNess CG
festivities and dinners in celebration OF chesS even
and 10 make a graceful speech about chess III whic
he would sometimes Oklngly describe tho kings Queen
and biehops AS the chess royalty and the chess oler{
hui would not betray the least saiinch intention u
words or delivery. Though Mr. BIadlaneh wac no
rich nc always subscribed LDcIay In support OF ches
matches and the organization 81 tournaments. Ii'
was also a skilful amateur In other scientific games
and notably IN checkers or draughtS as that zane
nj masters At IUrsclIs feerUoms, '0rnhlll
which was the headquarters for such amusemehts' u
would give a man to the best PLAYERS, including Mr.
EIackbnrne, who it is said plays very good gam
Vi W. Vn,k Feb O. 1901 W. STEINITL