Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-08
PLAYERS OF CHESS.

The executive committee of the Washing
ton Chess Club has decided to hold but one
tournament at present, and that tourna-
ment will decide who shall be club cham
pion for the year 1898. 1t decided to
reduce the entrance fee to 81, the intention
being to afford an opportunity to all to
| take part in the tournament at small ex-
pense, rather than to secure valuable prizes
for the successful players. The number Of
prizes was also increased to five. The
same rule as existed in the last champion
ship tournament was adopted, viz: In case
It player withdraws from the tourney, all
unplayed games shall be scored against
him. 1t was also provided that each game
must be played within the week scheduled
and in case player does not appear on the
Light scheduled his opponent shall desig-
| nate the night on which the game shall be
played, and in case he again fails to APP
PEAR the game shall be scored against the
delinquent. This latter rule is expert
mental, and is a departure from the rules
which usually govern tournaments. With
these exceptions the rules are the same as
those prevailing in previous tournaments.
But one game is required to be played each
week, -..,..-.. .
The tournament is open to all players in
the District. whether members of the club
or not In nearly every tournament held
at the club there have been or more
participants who were not members Of the
club. This has added to the interest, and
made it uncertain who would win the dif-
ferent prizes. So far MeSSrs. Patrick O'Far-
rell, E. A. T1bbetts, f. w. Tucker and AL
len Prender have entered their names but
there are a number of others who have ex-
pressed intention of taking part. The
race promises to be very interesting. Cap
tain O'Farrell can be depended on to make
a good fight for first place.
He has made spurts in previous tourna-
mentS and obtained q lead on hiS
tors, but has never kept up the gait set by
him. Mr.. Tfbbetts has the ability to play
championship chess. but his impetuous ma
ture causes him to make ,ill-considered
moves, which get him into serious trouble
Mr.. ]. w. Harris of Alexandria, Va, will
probably enter, though his eyes have been
troubling him. He won first prize in the
spring tournament this year, and would
push any of the other players. Mr.. w. H
Smith would also stand a good chance for
place near the top of the list. He has not
yet expressed an intention of taking part
1t is said there is a possibility of Mr.. E. P.
Hanna entering, inasmuch as but one game
per week is required to be played. The
tournament will commence next Saturday
night, when the schedule will be adopted.
Persons wishing to participate should send
their names to the secretary of the club or
be present at the club rooms 614 18th
street northwest, next Saturday evening.
The terms OF the match between Messrs
F. B. Walker and Patrick OFarrel for the
championship of the District have been
agreed upon. The match shall continue
until one player wins seven games, draws
not counting. The time limit is thirty-five
moves in two hours. and twenty moves an
hour thereafter. This is slower time the
first two hours than has been adopted here
in previous matches. The trophy involved,
besides the title, is a leather chess board.
The first game will be played this evening.
Captain O'Farrell Is confident of winning
and a close and interesting fight may be
expected.
Reference has been made in these col
umas to the blindfold practice Of some of
the players at the Washington Chess Club.
Three of these parties are now engaged in
playing a series of off-hand games, which
will continue until each player has played
two-thirds Of the games have been played,
the results Being as follows: ]. E. r. Ray,
won Z, lost 6; w. E. Thomas, won Z, lost
6; Allen Prerder. won 9. lost 8.
A checker tournament is in progress at
the Washington Chess, Checker and Whist
Club Club in which che, each Player plays ten games
scores have been made:
f fs%s:. 81 Ssss5 isa y
There are several other names on the list
of entries. but the above are all who have
played games.
Mr.. r. A. Cooley will, about the middle
Of the present month, move to Denver,
Col, by transfer to a position in the quar-
termaster's department of the army there.
He Is one of the best chess players here,
and until the last couple Of years took an
active interest in the game. He has q
wide acquaintance with the openings is
brilliant, yet sound, and but for his nerv-
BUSINESS would rank very high as a player.
He took part In one of the Libbey cup
tournaments. and played havoc with the
strongest players, but fell down against
some of the weak ones. When a master
came to the city Mr.. Cooley was usually
found at one Of the boards opposing him
and lie generahy@at least obtained a draw.
In his game with Mr.. Taubenhaus Mr..
Cooley was a pawn ahead, but offered
draw in q position which would probably
have ended In win for him had the game
been finished. He had an easy won game
In playing against Afbin when the latter
gave a simultaneous exhibition, two or
three years ago, but the Austrian master
insisted 1t was draw, and refused to con-
ttnus the game. Hts most recent notable
encounter was against Pillsbury. when the
latter played against thirty chess players
here last June. In that contest Mr.. Cooley
also obtained a draw. About the same
time the latter also played an off-hand
game with the champion, and obtained q
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