The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-01

Since the visit Of Pillsbury, the great
American chess champion, to this city,
much enthusiasm has been aroused in
the game of chess and the result will
probably be the formation OF a chess
club, similar to the one in existence
here about three years ago.
The organization would also be open
to checker players and be known as
the Chess and Checker club.
There are many clever players in
this city at both of these games, some
of them, indeed, being of exceptional
ability. The influence of these Is daily
making itself more felt, and ii is rap
idly becoming the most popular brain
game played in this country. Among
the experts in this city, probably the
best player is Prof. S. Friedewad, of
the High School faculty. He has be-
come known as being very skillful at
the game since he has lived here, and
would easily be the leader in the or
ganization.
In 1894 Mr.. Friedewald entered q
tournament at Buffalo, and took first
prize in the second class, the first class
being made up of men like Pillsbury
and Showalter, the former American
champion.
MIR. WEIGH OF JERMYN.
Another fine player is Mr.. Welch, of
Jermyn, who played at the Young
Mems Christian association at the time
that Pillsbury was here. The latter,
on that occasion, played twelve men at
once, and Mr.. WelCh was his only op-
ponent that won. Colonel Hitchcock,
of Green Ridge, is another enthusiastic
player and is a man particularly
skilled in solving chess problems.
H. j. Anderson is also a clever play
er, but probably will be unable to be
a member of the club long, as he will
leave the city for New Mexico shortly.
Another skilled local player is Prof.
| Schimpff, of the High School, while
| DR.. j. E. O'Brien is also a man well
versed in the intricacies of the game.
AS regards checkers, there is also
considerable local talent in that line.
Architect e. Worden and DR.. Thomson
| being recognized as two of the best
| players in the town. Attorney John
| f. Scragg also enjoys considerable
reputation as checker mover. If d
club could be formed games would be
arranged with Wilkes-R3rre. Tunkhan-
mock and other places in the vicinity
possessing strong champions. Scran-
ton ought to be represented by a team
in the chess arena, and there is with
| out doubt enough talent in this city
to make up a splendid club. Chess has
taken a strong grip on the Scranton
public, and there are a great number
of persons playing the game here who
only need organization to bring out
their latent power If few hard
workers would once take hold, as they
probably soon will, and taking hearty
| interest in the matter, push it through
| there would doubtless be no difficulty
at all in maintaining the organization
Interest once aroused the clubs roster
| would soon be filled. and Scranton
could boast of q Chess and Checker
club which could meet on even terms
some of the strongest in the country.
TEACHERS INTERESTED.
Among the teachers of the High
School there are several interested ir
chess and they would be counted or
| to take an active interest in the or
| ganiZation and maintenance of a club
| Among them may be mentioned, be-
sides those already spoken of, Prin-
cipal Grant, Miss Keith and Prof. Johr
| u. Wagner. Superintendent Howell is
also an enthusiast on the subject
Among other we'll known and clever
chess and checker players may be
mentioned Mrs. Poore, Messrs. wilkins
of Dunmore; Edmund Bartl, Fred