The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-07-21

Tor long number Of moves, as neither
SIDE was able TO gain the least advantage
IN posluons the spectators and pIaverE
ahke became so interested in the game
mat they forgot for the time being the
seriousness Of the stakes The lockers
on nodded their appreciation when good
move was made, and discussed in low
tones the position arrived at.
By-and-by the battlefield became sim
pinned, pieces We're exchanged and pawns
taken Maruf succeeded in capturing q
rock by a seemingly brilliant combination.
Everybody now named Maruf as the win
ner.
sefer, upon losing that important piece,
studied long time. Maruf who thought
he had the man beaten, did not look at
the board-that is 10 say. his mind was
occupied with other thoughts Sefer did
not move, but still kept looking at the
position, and Maruf again directed his
attention TO the board. As he did so he be-
came as pale as death and he trembled all
over. He suddenly perceived that. in spite
OF his numerical advantage Of pieces his
game was hopeless. He saw now that if
Sefer sacrificed his queen for a rook he
could then effect a mate by means Of a
bishop viii he see the combination"
Maruf said TO himself. The answer of
this question meant death or life. Maruf
realized III an instant that Sefer did not
make the move. But Sefer's thoughts
We're no longer given to the game, but TO
some other subject altogether. At last
the silence was broken
"Maruf," said Sefer, "how many chill
dren have you at homes"
-Four" came the reply. in a trembling
voice.
Your wife viii shortly present you with
another child?"
YES"
Have you a good wife?"
She is faithful and good" answered Ma
ruff. while the tears were rolling down all
over his face.
Sefer put his hand to his forehead muir
INJURED something like prayer, and asked
for dish of water. When this was
brought he washed his hands and his face
and addressed his adversary thus: You
have always been a good comrade. Last
night you did not make me keep watch,
although / lost the game to you" Then
he touched the bishop and not the queen.
A few moves later Maruf gave a check. the
crowd of bystanders solemnly cried
mate" in chorus; Maruf was proclaim
ed as victor.
Sefer got up, shook hands with his late
antagonist beckoned to the sharpshoot-
ers who stood in readiness, and two min
utes later Sefer's noble heart had ceased
TO beat.
Maruf. however, remained at the chess
minded, and later he tried in vain to
place the pieces ia a certain position. He
played black and white men into alto
gether impossible positions, and then he
kept staring at the board.
Get up" commanded Ahmanzade who
had been a witness throughout the tourn-
ament. mount your horse; your life is
spared"
Maruf, however, did not heed the words
of his commander; he still kept looking at
the board, making all sorts of silly moves,
and endingup with an outburst of laugh
ter. Then he wept bitterly for a while.
How stupid these pieces look he then
said, lone is a horse, the other wears
turban."
Lead him away" ordered Mehemed.
Two soldiers took him away. Maruf
stared like a mailman. The surroundings
seemed strange to him. He looked round,
still absent minded, and what he said was
not the talk of a sane man. His last game
of chess had made him mad.