Evening star., 1897-02-20
CHESS.

Next Monday night. Washington's BIRTH
day, the Washington Chess Club will hold
a rapid transit knock tournament at
its rooms. 614 18th street northwest. to
which the public is invited. There will
probably be opportunity to participate for
as many as desire to do So The tourna-
ment VIII commence at o'clock, when ali
entrants will be paired by lot. After all
the games are played the winners will be
paired for the second round. The pairing
will continue until but one undefeated play
er Is left. In case of drawn game the
players draw to which one shall con-
tinue i'll tie tournament. Thirty seconds
are allowed for each move. 1t is believed
that all the games be played in one
evening.
No games have been played the past
week III the championship tournament at
the chess club. But five games remain to
be played. Mr.. Hanna is suffering from
the grip. The score to date is as follows:
Won.Lost. Won. Lost
Thar Thar :e l. i. Dunham D,naa - 8
Hanna ......5 2 Tib5etts ....4
oFarrell.. 21s Thomas PA ~
Harris ......6 Tucker ......1l2 Sh
A match for the championship of the
United States and 5000 stakes is in prog
ress between ]. W. Showalter, the present
champion. and II. N. Pillsbury. The first
game was played on the 10th. at the rooms
of the Hamilton Club, Brooklyn. PiIisbury
attack. Showalter replied with Steinitz's
defense of P-Q-R5 and P-Q3. The game
was evenly contested. and was given up as
drawn after thirty-five moves. The second
game was a POI opening, in which Show
alter played first. Pnlsbury gained pawn
on the fortieth move. but was unable to
win, q draw resulting after seventy-seven
moves.
w E. Napier was leading in the cham
pionship tournament of the Brooklyn Chess
Club al last accounts. with Fl. Helms, who
has been champion for two years past.
close second. Napier on last month cele-
brated the sixteenth anniversary OF his
birthday. He appears to be the coming
piuyer.
The cable match is over. America was
defeated. and the NeWnes cup returns to
England. How this was done has already
been told. The result was contrary to ex-
pectations. 1t had been announced that
Burn, Lee and other strong players had de-
clined 10 play On the British team, and 1t
was believed that the absence OF these
players would considerably weaken thai
team. If comparisons by those informed
counted for anything, the United States
would win the match. There Is DISPOSE
ton in some quarters to criiicise the
American team as not the best that could
have been gotten together. 1t is pointed
out that there are strong players in Phila-
delphia. none of whom played on the team,
as well as strong players in Boston, other
than Barry and Burille. The committee
had under consideration the name OF 9.
w. hampton of Philadelphia. who last
summer won first prize in the general
tournament of the New York State Chess
Association. Walter P. Shioley, also Of
Philadelphia. finishing second. Why Bamp-
ten was not chosen does not appear. Last
wear Shipley was asked to be member Of
the team. but declined to play because the
match was under the auspices of the
Brooklyn Chess Club. The selection OF MIR.
Teed was unexpected by the chess frater-
nifty as he is not rated high as player.
but is a probiemist of the highest merit
McCutcheon is another player whose selec-
ton vas unfortunate. Like Teed. he has
not for several years played tournament
chess. and consequently he was no match
for MS more practical rival. Jacobs. How
ever tn. conductors of the match no doubt
made what was considered the best selec-
tions Of the available material Next year
It is hoped to bring back the trophy to this
country.
Very few games are being played IN the
handicap chess tournament at the Capital
Bicycle Club. The score at present Is as
follows: