Evening star., 1896-12-26
Current Notes of the Whist and Chess
Players.
CAPITALS CHALLEEGEFoR TEE TROPHY
What Was Demonstrated by the
HamiIton's Defeat.
RECENT LOCAL CONTESTS

The celebrated Hamiltons of Philadelphia
were defeated last Saturday evening by
the American Whist Club, % to "a, and the
latter carries the challenge trophy to Bos-
ton. In Mr.. Works analysis Of the match
in the Philadelphia Evening Telegraph it
is stated that both teams led the same
card In sixteen deals In thirteen deals
the same suit was led, but not the same
card. This variation was caused almost
entirely because Hamilton opened top Of
nothing and fourth best from ace and four
others, while the American team in these
instances led fourth best and ace respec-
lively.
A different suit was led in nineteen deals.
In these nineteen deals the Americans made
gains of fifteen tricks and the Hamiitons
of twelve tricks. In thirteen of the hands
in question the Americans led trumps, and
made gains Of twelve tricks, but lost three
tricks. The Hamiltons led trumps on four
deals and gained four and lost two tricks
on the deals. 1t thus appears that the
lead of trumps played an important part
in the match. In every case except one
the leader had four or more trumps in
hand
peculiarity about these nineteen deals
Is that in nine of them Hamilton led from
top Of nothing and a singleton ace, and
1cade long suit lead but eight times.
Thus it appears that the long-suit Hamil-
tons have a strong leaning toward short
suits. The Americans as rule led fourth
best and ace from ace and four others.
There will be four more matches for the
trophy, the challengers being Park, Staten
Island. Albany and Knickerbocker Field
Clubs, prior to the midwfnter meeting of
the executive committee, which occurs at
Nashville On January %. The trophy must
under the rules be played for there by the
holder, or some club representing the east,
and the ST. Paul Club, the former holder.
representing the west
The Capital Bicycle Club have again chal-
lenged for the cup.
The Columbia Athletic Club played a
match of Sc boards with the Walbrooks
the past week. which resulted in tie. The
WaIbrooks are 4 branch of the Baltimore
Whist Club, and contained in its team two
of Baltimores star players Inc Column
bias team consisted OF DR.. Walls and
Messrs Hampton, Stafford and Neff. MIR.
Wooton, one of the strong members of the
team, is absent from the city. The visitors
expressed the opinion that il the Column
bias played good whist when they con-
tested for the league challenge trophy, 1t
would undoubtedly come to this city.
The leading scores in last Saturday
nights whist contest at the Capital Bicycle
Club are as follows:
MS E&w.
H. Taylor and Cole. ......... l34
Barnes and Myers........... 129
Mattirgly and Cooper....... 129
Barrick and Rines. 155
Prince and Low. 1Jl
Lupton and Hough......... $50
Lowest scores. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 120 134
Cole appears to be in the lead for the
prize offered for the best record for the
season.
The Brooklyn Chess Club has resigned
game in its match by correspondence
with the Washington Cess Club. The To-
cal club went into tn match with some
hesitancy, having nc idea of being able
to win a game, as its competitor is one of
the leading clubs in the country. They are
naturally elated over the victory AS the
unfinished game promises to be a draw, it
looks as though the Washington club
would win the match The game just fin
ished was full of interesting situations.
The opening was Ruy Lopez, and the first
eight moves were similar to a game in the
Kemeny-Showalter match. At move nine
Showalt played Q-K2. Critics stated
that he should have played Q-Kt5, as did
the Brooklyns. The local players compeIl-
ed the retreat of the queen to K2 on the
next move. To have taken Q-Kt.P would
have shortened the game. Washington's S
sixteenth move was very forceful and di-
viced the opposing forces. The principal
part of the work on the part of the local
club has been done by Messrs. E, P. Han
ma ard F. b. Walker The score of the
1 on mn &c, fn1I