Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-13
A TRAGEDY AT CHESS.

How the Game With Living Pieces at
Dorpat Resulted in Two Duels-A Novel
Fete Day Spoiled by a Double Love
Afair-Russia Interested.
WRITTEN FOR THE pIsPArcH.t
The echo of a sensational romance comes
from distant part q Europe-from one of
the most interesting and historic places in
the Old World. BY the merest accident
the current of four lives has been changed,
and two fair daughters of the ancient Rus
so-German noblesse have met their fate in
two gallant sons of Muscovy.
Who has not heard of the sleepy town of
Dcrpat which spreads itself along the En-
bach river in the Government of Livonia,
In European Russia, where the Domberg
and Schlossberg cast their frowning shadows
over the clustering roofs below? Historic
Dorpat, the center of university culture
and the home of the Oldest and proudest
families of German descent, who have
always steadily resisted the efforts, con-
Iinued throughout centuries, to make them
Russian in fact as well as in name. Under
its fostering influence, rich with the mem
cries and achievements OF Otto Struve and
Frsuenhofer, grew up and developed the
Polytechnic Institute, whose jubilee, cele-
brated within the past three weeks, was the
occasion of bringing together the persons
WHO supply the motive of our story.
A Game of Chess on the Lawn.
The jubilee of the institute at Dorpat
vas, of course, the occasion of varied fes-
tiyities, and the ingenuity Of its projectors
was taxed to discover original and attractive
methods of entertaining the guests, who
came from all parts of Russia to participate
in the rejoIcings. Among the visitors was
AmIlon, the famous professional chess
player, who conceived the idea of game Of
chess with living pieces. In other words, o
large piece of rubber painted to represent q
chess board, was to be securely fastened
over the grass and a sufficient number Of
ladies and gentlemen were to be selected
from among the guests to play their parts as
though they had been ivory figures manipu-
lated by human fingers The project
was hailed with enthusiasm, and al
a natural result of the general popularity of
the scheme much competition arose among
the would-be candidates for the distinction
of being included in the "cast"
Now, as l have already intimated, the
city OF Dorpat is noted for the pride and
lineage of its old aristocracy. So it hap
pened that though all these representa-
tive Dorpat families lent their countenance
and presence to the jubilee tetes and many
charming ladies were consequently In evil
dence, the beauty OF the Frauleins Amelia
Patkul and Bertha Won Ongern-Sternberg
attracted more than ordinary attention.
The Heroes of the Great Game.
There had come to Dorpat as visitors two
Russian officers, one of whom belonged to
the Cars navy and the other TO the Co.'S
sacks of the Guard. Accustomed as they
both were to the gsyety and brilliance of
ST. Petersburg, the two officers found the
charms of Dorpat appeal to them with re-
msrkable force. One of them was Lieuten-
ant Nicholas Butturlin and the other Cap
tain Paul Arsenief, now in command OF a
sloop. In the year 1876, while young
ensign on board the Svetlana, he visited
the American metropolis as a member of
the Grand DuKe Alexis suite. The Co.'S
sack officer is now 2S years of age
aud the naval hero was Just turned
So They became acquainted with
and soon became devoted admirers
Of the ladies Won Patkul and Won Ongern-
Sternberg. The two damsels specially re-