Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22
AMONG THE CHESS PLAYERS

An important meeting Of representatives
of the various chess clubs of the country
was held at Brooklyn, N. T., last We'd
nesday, upon the invitation of the Brooklyn
Chess Club. The meeting was called for
the purpose Of devising the best methods
of completing the cable match team. the.
Brooklyn Chess Club having already in
vited Messrs. Pillsbury, Showalter, Hodges,
Delmar, Barry and Hymes, to play on the
team. Invitations had been sent to thirty
six clubs to send representatives A num-
Der Of the clubs failed to send delegates,
because Of the distance, but there were
present representatives of the Boston club,
Franklin club of Philadelphia, Elizabeth,
N. j.. club; Washington, D. c., club, as well
as the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Metropolitan,
Cosmopolitan and Staten Island clubs all
of Greater New York.
The opinion prevailed in many quarters
that tournament would be held to deter
mine who should fill the four remaining
places on the team. The scheme was freely
discussed at the ting, and it was finally
concluded to be impracticable because of
match must be held. Inany of those who
are desirable candidates for the team have
business engagements which prevent them
from taking part in sucn q tournament
Upon the motion of Wasnington's REPRE-
sentative, Captain Patrick O'Farrell. the
meeting approved of the selection of the
six members of the team already made NV
me me Brookiyn club, and these players with
PRESIDENT Hagen Of the Brooklyn club.
were also on motion by Captain O'Farreu
CHOSEN committee to select the other
IouF members of the team, besides two sub
sIltutes- President Hagen indicated The
Aperdi spirit that pervades the BROOKLYN
club by suggesting that the president of the
Manhattan and one other club be added
10 the committee. but his suggestion was
not adopted. was
1t dacided IN ranraat 49,
eiuDs To suggest one or more PLAYERS who
haye the ability and Willingness to plav. an
the team When the clubs have been heard
rom the committee mentioned above win
hoid a meeting, and decide who shall play
on the team. 1t is also stated that the
Lnahce committee of the BROOKLYN Chess
CluD Will also send out a letter shortly
Gaming upon the clubs for financial assist
ahce- AS the expense of the match is
heaFy and the affair is national. the re-
quest should meet with a liberal response.
Neither Pillsbury nor Showalter were at
me brooklyn meeting Wednesday evening.
both are reported to be in training for
thelr coming match. Pillsbury is at Brook
iSh playing against Napier and Marshall
consuming, while Showalter has gone TO
Boston 10 train with Barry, whom he de-
Ieated In g. match year and half ago.
one OF the active delegates present at
the meeting was Capt O'Farrell He ma de
a telling speech in which he declared him
N.
he SAID the match was a national affair.
and that national team would be fncom
plete witt. the capital left out. He smoke
a good wcrd for the Washington Chess
Club and suggested the District champion.
r. b. Walker. as d suitable person for the
team. Mr. A. B. Hodges of Staten Island
then proposed Mr.. Walker as a member of
the team. The motion was not put. how
ever, the selection of the four players and
two substitutes being, as above stated, left
to a committee.
The Washington club has a number of
very strong players. In fact, the playing.
strength Of the entire club has gradually
improved during the past four years. since
the Ilbpey cup contests were inaugurated
The players who stand at the front rank
today are F. B. Walker and e. P. Hanna.
Mr.. Walker won the club championship
last year and then became District cham
pion. through the default of Mr. Wright.
He maintained the title in match with
Mr.. Gwyer, whom he defeated to O. and
bids fair to win from Capt. OFarrell. the
score being to in favor of Mr. Walker
Mr.. Hanna has not played any match
CHESS since last spring. and SO there are
no recent scores by which the present
strength of these players can be compared
Some of the friends of Mr.. Hanna regard
in as the equal, II not the superior, OF
Mr.. Walker. Mr.. Hanna came out aheaa
OF Mr.. Walker in three successive Libbey
cup contests. and two years ago won the