Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-06
IN CHESS CIRCLES.

As the big tourney, as 1t is popularity
called. at the Washington Club nears its
last rounds the interest becomes more ac-
centuated. The player keeps accurate
list. not only of those whom he has to
play, but also those whom his close oppo-
nents must still meet and in the sizing up
of the eventuality it is a pretty certain
thing that he gives himself a slight shade
of advantage in his own contests and his
opponent in the race little the worst of it
in his remaining games. Hopes and fears
must be gone over with his friends and
moral support. nowhere more necessary
gained from the friendly opinion. The in
terest though. is not all personal: all watch
the contest for the first five places. and
the same process of reckoning the remain
ing games of each possible winner is gone
through with. The first three places are
conceded to Messrs. Sournin. Hanna and
Walker though it is too early to make a
prophecy as to the winner. and then the
list of contestants is strong that no
game is certain until 1t is won. Mr. Walk
er's loss to Mr.. Smith in this round gives
his opponent for first place breathing space
but that is all: either one of the two lead
ers may drop as much as he has and a
pretty fight still be on the boards. Messrs
Sournin and Hanna have an unfinished
game that looks much like draw, though
Mr.. Hannas is slightly the preferable
game.
Besides these three prizes. two more are
to be given. and for these two places four
strong players are putting in earnest eff
forts. Messrs. Adair and Smith, who have
Il very slight lead over MessrS. Lyman and
Tibbetts.
1t seems strange to see the leaders in so
many former confictS-players like Capt.
OFarrel and Messrs. Harris Gwyer
Woodward and Tharp-so far down the list
Different causes account for this. For one
reason. when a number of players come to-
gether to start a tourney it is improbable
that each will be in his best lighting trim
Outside cares at times beset player also.
and finally one man doesn't care to play
such hard chess and go through the pre-
liminary study a more ambitious man
in this line may. He simply wants to play
good, average games. and is not expecting
to turn himself into Pillsbury. OF the
above air. Tharp has not commenced to
strike his gait, as he is well recognized as
one of the strongest players of the city
or the younger element who have en-
tered this contest MIR. Boykin is making
fine mark. now being in eighth place
among fifteen strong players Mr. Allen
Prender Is the youngest man on the list
and although he has Won but few games
has Invariably played good chess and is
formidable opponent. as witness his defeat
of Mr.. Walker after very slight slip on
that gentleman.s part. DR.. Hodges is not
one of the ambitious players. If d tourney
Is started he goes in and takes what comes
With such an exceptional strong list as the
present he has done we'll with his present
standing.
In the current round Mr.. Adair won from
Mr.. Lyman. Mr.. Smith from Mr.. Walker
Messrs. Boykin and Tibbetts drew and
Messrs. Hanna and Sournin adjourned their
game IN about an even position. Mr. Ham
ma mas a knight rock and pawns to his op-
ponent : bishop rock and paWns.
The standing in the championship tour-
ney is: