The Portland daily press., 1899-02-04

ways Of the silent Devotces OF Conn
pifcated Game.
Copyright, 1855

portant fixtures will shortly take place,
as well as some new and interesting
events The facts that the brilliant
Partisan expert Jsnowski is now in this
country giving exhibitions Of his skill
and that young Harry PiIlsbury, the
American champion. Is making tour OF
the country playing ut chess clubs in
various states have already done much
to stir up lovers of the sport as well as to
interest outsiders.
Among the great events in the chess
world is the international tournament TO
be held in London, commencing May 80.
The chess masters of the globe will be
present, and the American experts have
hope of carrying of the trophy.
The game has gained great hold
among college men, and the intercolle-
giate tournament held every year in
New York during the Christmas holi.
days, is always contested and generally
serves TO bring forward some young
player. After the last tourney 1t was
suggested that the Intercollegiate Chess
League of America challenge the COM
bned universities.of Cambridge and Ok
ford to tournament by cable. The idea
met with instant approval. and unless
other things should Interfere the games
will take place during the Easter yaca-
ton. Six players on each side will proba-
bly, participate. They will be chosen
from those who were eligible TO play In
the recent intercollegiate journey on this
side and the recent Oxford Cambridge
university match in England. Those
who are likely to have the honor of repre-
senting the American universities are
southland and Arssnberg of Harvard. the
former of whom is thelintercollegiate IN
iiyidual champion; Falk and Meyer OF
Columbia and one representative from
Yale and. Princeton respectively, they
being the four universities In the league.
The chess players of our congress and
those OF the British houses of parliament
will also engage in another test Of skill
IN the cheokered boards and thus add still
another link to the chain of ciroum-
stances that is binding the two countries
In the strong bonds of friendship.
The great chess masters have often been
noted for the peculiar actions in which
they indulge while engaged in match.
When Lasker and Steinitz We're playing
their great series for the championship of
the world in 1894 In various cities of this
,ouptry, which match resulted in the
,ormer beating the veteran holder of the
ntle, many people attending the games
took almost as much interest in the &C
tions of the women as in their play. As
is well known, Steinitz is cripple. His
frail and slender lower limbs. which are
contantly rackeh by rheumatism, are in
striking contrast to his massive head,
with its great red beard and auburn hair.
lie never moves without crutches. and
when playing these are held between his
legs. He occasionally drinks "a glass of
water or ginger ale, and If the game has
reached an intricate stage studies the
board for many minutes before moving,
regardless of the relentless ticking of the
clock at his elbow. If 1t be his opponents
move he may pick up his crutches and
move about the room, whispering greet
ings to acquaintance; but generally, on
account of his inflrmity, he sticks TO his
chair, keeping close watch of the board
and now and then twiddling his thumbs.
Lasker on the other hand, looks like
divinity student with his close shaven
face and short hair, his spectacles and
pallid complexion. His favorite position
is leaning his elbows on the table, with
his head in both hands. Thus, staring at
thu board, he sits, still and immo7able,
like statue, till he has made up his
mind MS to his next move. suddenly his
white hand moves toward figure. 1t is
trem bling, for he is terribly in earnest.
The move accomplished, he gets up and
walks around, still absorbed in the game
and chewing vigorously on his cigar,
ready to return as soon as his opponent
has played.
Jan owski, who has recently been play
ing a seri rs of games with Saltwater and
the young Brooklyn expert, Marshall,
is Partisan. Neatly dressed in black,
with white collar and colored links TO
match his shirt and a neat bow tied in
knot at his throat, he forms striking
contrast in every way to Marshall. He is
dark and swarthy, with black hair combeo
back from his forehead withouta parting
His acquiline nose is surmounted by
paIr of dark trimmed eyeglasses. Marshall,
ON the contrary, is fair and good deal
taller than his opponent. He has large
Roman nose and deep set eyes. which ever
and anon glance at the European as If to
learn by this means what his next play
NAV be. He is dressed very carelessly and
when not smoking a cigar chews continu-
ously on a match. Janowski now and
then lights cigarette and slowly inhales
the smoke.
The Partisan is delicate and graceful in
every movement and action. Marshall
is Quick, jerky, abrupt. as though in this
manner he would sweep away opposition
in typical American fashion.
Michael Tschigorin of ST. Petersburg
is another chess master whose actions
during contest often provoke comment
among the spectators. He is of nervous