Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-12
BLIND CHESS PLAYER
Exhibition by ~ i. Campbell Of
Youngstown, Ohio.
FINE INSIGHT LIMO TEE GAME
A Novel Contest May Be Brought
About.
THE DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

THE ICTCHAMPIONSHIP
One Of the features Of day at the Wash
ington Chess Club Is the chess playing of
Walter L. Campbell OF Youngstown, Ohio.
Mr.. Campbell is entirely blind, having
lost his sight when four or five years of
age. Since that misfortune befelI him he
learned to play chess Considering that
there are sfxty-four squares on the board.
and that the pieces have different powers
and movements, it Is remarkable how he
could have learned the game. Mr.. Campbell
has been here some time, and has
played almost daily against one or another
member of the club. He seats himself at
the board opposite his adversary and calls
out his move, say P to K4. The adversary
or a spectator moves the pawn, as indi
Gated, and when he has made his move,
say P to K4, announces it aloud. The
game proceeds. each player Announcing his
move ahead. During these games Mr.
Campbell engages in conversation with
those about him, and seems to be very lit
tie disturbed thereby. Occasionally he finds
it necessary to inquire the location of a
man. He has splendid insight into the
game, and some of his combinations are
exceedingly pretty. He has made a credit
able score against those whom he has met,
anu mas usually ilelQ Ills OWN dSdlIlSl tNc
local players. Fer instance, with Captain
O'Farrel he played four games the
other evening" each securing two. He came
out little ahead with James E. Camp
bell, while MeSsrs L. Tharp and w. II.
Smith each won one game played with
him, but by a narrow margin, SO to speak.
He plays rapidly, and there is little delay
on his part. Another popularity is that
he comes and goes to the rooms unat-
tended He tells time without assistance
by feeling of the face of his watch, on
which there is no crystal. Mr.. Campbell
will remain in the city during the winter
He has joined the club, and will be there
frequently.
Another acquisition to the Washington
club is Mr.. Allen Prender. younger brother
of the Prender who has taken part in the
tournaments at the club the past year.
Young Mr.. Prender has been playing the
game but comparatively short time, yet
has shown considerable ability, and Is even
giving attention to blindfold playing. With
practice he will make a good player.
The presence Of Mr. Campbell at the club
has stimulated blindfold chess. Two or
three members are practicing it, and some
of the best players Of the club have played
hlindfold on small scale for several years.
1t would not be surprising if one Of these
engaged in a game with Mr.. Campbell,
neither party seeing the board.
District Championship.
The fifth game in the District champion
ship between Messrs. Walker and Gwyer,
resulted in a draw. The opening was ir
regular, and Mr.. >Gwyer showed superior
play early in the game, and was a pawn
ahead when the m:d-game stage was
reached. Later he made faulty calcula-
ton and lost the exchange and a pawn.
but escaped defeat by a perpetual check
after forty-eight moves. The present score
Is: Walker, 4; Gwyer y; drawn J.
Mr.. A. B. Hodges of Staten Island, N. Y,
will be the guest of the Washington Chess
Nl,,h Coz,
evening of that day will give a stimuli
taneous exhibition. playing against all
corners.
The president Of the Capital Bicycle
Club has appointed Messrs. Usina and Pc
lohze and Dr. Bunnemeyer committees ON
chess for the coming year. Mr.. Usina has
not been playing much chess for the last
two years, but formerly ranked among the
best players In the city. His engagements
will prevent him from giving much atten-
tion to the game this winter. There Is a
large and steadily growing chess contin-
gent at the club, and there is promise of
excellent sport this winter
Mr.. PelouZe makes the inquiry why cam
not the local chess players get together
and have tournament, the as the
croquet players did recently? There does
not seem to be any good reason why they
cannot. Interclub contests have been held
here, and a tournament participated in by
players from all the clubs, and players I'M
attached to any club, would be very inter-
esting.
The croquet tournament Is held in the
fall, at the close of 4 summers season of
practice. The time to hold chess tourna-
ment here would be in the spring, after the
usual winter practice. If sufficient num-
Der of players can be induced to enter such
tournament it be held. In the GRO
quet tournament each player meets every
other player in his division. The players
are divided into divisions. players of recog-
nized first-rate ability going into the first
division, those slightly lower in strength
into the second division. and others who
are believed to be less skilful entering the
third division. Players continue in one di-
vision until 1t appears that they belong in
another division. By thus dividing the play
ers there would not be over six or eight in
a Glass; and 1t could be terminated within
a reasonable length of time. The inquiry
of Mr.. Pelouze is worthy of consideration.
The Berlin Tournament.
The Berlin international masters tourna-
ment came to a close last week.
The following is the score of the leading
players who have taken part in two or
more of the recent masters tournament:
Hastings. Nuremb'g. Buda Pest. Berlin
Sharousek -. sh sh 14h
WalbrOdt..... 10 1Oh GU Il
Blackburnc. 10Y 0 -. 10
Janowski.. 9Ia liz 12A
Burn. 915 80. -. u
Marco. 81 8 AZ 11h
Schlechter. IL 10h liz
Tschigorin. 16 91S 81 1OiL
..I,i ntT