The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-05-11
4 GfNF or CHESS.
The Richmond Club to be Reorganized-Its
History.

The Richmond Club to be Reorganized-Its
History.
There will be a meeting tonight at
$50 O'Clock in the Arlington building for
the purpose Of recognizing the Richmond
Chess Club. All chess players and those
interested in the advancement OF the
noble game are invited to be present.
The game OF chess, so scientific and
yet so entertaining. has from the earliest
times embraced among its vOtaries the
most enlightened and cultivated minds
None Of it's followers have been more
Jealous than those of this city, as is
evidenced by the fact that as long ago
as 1851. when the European trlumphs Of
Paul Morphy We're on every tongue, there
existed i'm our midst a chess club.
Some Of the members Of tat club are
still living and are full Of reminisc ances
Of the visit Of Morphy to Richmond dur
ing the late war. and Of the visits since
that time Of Sellman. Martinez. Macken-
Zie and other celebrated masters ~ the
game, who have come and conquered"
The old Richmond Chess Club vas
broken up by the war. but the chess
players of the city were accustomed %
meet in what is now the Merchants Ma
tional Bank building.
one Of the most noted Of these players
was Mr.. Wickham. father Of the Jate
General Williams c. Wickham. The inter
est was not revived until 1883 when a
number Of the devotees Of the game met
i'm the Hanewinckel building and organized
club. with the late Senator John W.
Johnson as president; Judge a. NJ. Kelley
of Cairo, Egypt, as yice-president. and
Mr.. Leroy $. Edwards as secretary and
treasurer. The members of this club were
eminent I'm the various walks OF life.
the clergy and bar being strongly repre-
scented ON the rolls We're governor.
mayor and an Episcopal bishop.
For four years the club met in Rueeers
building during which time the Virginia
Chess Association formed I'm 1851 held
two OF its annual tournaments IN the
rooms Of the club Consultation games
team matches and correspondence games
caused much enthusiasm among the me NJ
bcrs of the club. O le consultation game
I'm particular, in which Judge Latham,
Of Lyn hburg. and Colonel Hoover, OF
Stauntcn. contested With certain Rich
mond players. is still remembered for
The remarkably brilliant combinations
concocted by the home players. which
turned the tide II victory ia their 'avJr.
In their matches with the Toronto.
Canada, and Norfolk. Va, clubs In 1917.
the Richmonders We're defeated. From
1850 until 1891 the championship was taken
away from Richmond. but I'm 1891, and
again I'm f92, Or. otto Myer. Of this city
won the championship Of the state. From
1857 until the present time the club has
been meeting in rooms in the Young
Mems Christian Association building
During the past year, owing 10 the ZEE
moval from the city Of some Of its most
prominent members, and other causes
interest I'm the club has been on the wane,
and practically the Richmond Chess CluO
has passed out Of existence.
Recognizing the necessity Of such an
organization. and the maintenance Of
rooms where players can meet in combat
over the checkered board. IL has been
determined 10 call a meeting Of chess
players for the purpose Of recognizing
the chess club upon permanent and
practical basis.
Among the well-known players I'm Rich
mond are: General Peyton Wise. Or. j.
B. Newton, Colonel W. T. Wickham. Or.
otto Myer, Messrs w. b. Robins, Glenn.
Knox. c. W. Macfarlane. c. l.. Page,
Judge G. r. London. O. f. Blankenship,
Edward Murray, Leroy 5. Edwards,
Wvndham Meredith. Major =. A. Well
Churchill. j. B. Gordon. Colonel r. +.
NORRIS. r. NJ. 5. Valentine. Colonel J.
b. Cary. T. a. Cary, W. Mac. Jones.
I. X. Walthall. j. II. Witty, S. W.
Travers. W. =. DeSaussure and Rev.
Jabez Hall.
The late Rev. DR.. Dashiell was an en-
thusiastic chess player. as was Bishop
II. NJ Jackson. now Of Alabama, and Rev.
r. T. Howison. now OF Fredericksburg.
Indeed, its rolls have been replete with
distinguished names.
With such glorious memories OF sue
cessful past. the chess players OF Rich
mond should lose no time in becoming
affiliated with the organization about TO
be formed.
In the convenient and commodious
quarters which have been secured and
under auspices of sound managers, there
is every reason for predicting that its
future career will be more pleasant and
successful than that which II has hitherto
pursued. and that Richmond win continue
the chess capital OF the State, and the
Richmond Club the Mecca OF Virginia
players.
Cough no more. but take DR.. David's
Couch Syrup.