Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-02-23
ART OF CHESS PLAYING.

/ do not say that | am the champion
woman chess player of the world. But,
as [ have never been really beaten in Il
fair and square game, think that I can
lay some claim TO being an authority on
chess.
[ have played several times at an enor-
nous disadvantage, and have come out
pretty well, so when I say that chess
playing as a profession for women is
possibility, can be believed.
They say that a chess player must begin
to learn to play chess long time be-
must have fair endowment of intellect
and certain amount of good common
sense. With these two qualities supplied
there IS no reason why you cannot play
this, the most intellectual game in the
world.
[ did not learn to play chess until after
| was married. My husband was pro-
teSSlOnal chess player, and because / took
an interest in the game he taught me
how to play. We have what Northern
ers would consider a very nice stockfarm
near Georgetown, Ky, and when tired
with the outdoor life. or when the weather
was bad, found it very pleasant to play
chess in the house.
A great many women who begin to
learn to play chess find it hard on their
nerves. They say it tires them, and I
have known women to become hystericaI
before they had learned the secret of the
moves.
[ did not have that experience. I liked
to note the progress of the ''pawns" and to
learn the different directions in which the
'knights" and bishops started forth OH
their career of triumph. ''The kings
and queens and their troubles fascinat-
ed me- and [ could see the possibilities OF
the ''castle" long before [ knew how to
clear way for it.
My first big game was with my hus-
band. He agreed that at certain time
should play match game with him;
he was to be blindfolded and [ was to
use both of my eyes. OF course | had
to call the moves, but we played the
game, and when l tell you that l won you
can imagine that l was very well pleased
with my progress at chess.
Today, although he has been a cham
pion for a long time, [ can still beat him.
but he has to make certain concessions
1t he takes off one of his paWns and gives
me two moves at the start | can generally
catch his king at the close Of the game.
There IS no woman living who can beat
Mr.. ShoWalter in an even game. and rs
tor the men-well, the annual champion
ship games in which he plays decide that
and the world knows the rest.
Last summer | had the greatest disap-
pointment of my life. Twenty women
representatives of the different chess clubs
Ii.
IN London, for chess tournament, [
could not go because | could not
leave my baby. Mr.. Worrel Americas
representative, came out fourth.
Previous to that [ met Mrs. WorreIl
for series of match games They
stopped three to two in my favor, and one
draw game. II the middle of the next
game we were interrupted on account Of
sickness at home | have not played
since. L am very slow player. [ like
to play only fifteen or twenty moves an
hour, which means thought Of three Or
four minutes on each move.
Using this rate CT speed. I played a
match game with Riel Ruz, late a di-
rector in the Manhattan Chess club Of
New York, and now of the German army
/ won the match, five games up, five to
three at the finish.
l also played match game with
Il. Lasker, champion of the world, four
years ago, in which beat him five games
He took off knight, giving me, of course,
some odds and himself handicap.
Won single game on even terms with
n Jasnogrodsky, who is famous chess
player. l also won a game from Louis
Schmidt, the viOliniSt and chess player
1t were to advise a woman to take
up a game | should recommend chess be-
cause it develops the mind and interests
her at the same time. The only re-
qulsites are, as [ said before, a good mind
anu COMMON sense. ana TO this must be
added good physical health With a
baby the matter of hours isn't always TO
be regulated, and so, temporarily, [ have
given up chess playing, but l shall take it
up again.
Am [ open for match games? Yes and
no. L want to play again, and | am ready
to receive any challenge. / do not play
for money, and perhaps on that account I
cannot be called a professional" but I
am a woman chess player and l would
like to play any woman in the world
Nellie Marshall ShoWalter.