New-York tribune., 1902-03-15
CABLE CHESS MATCH OPENS
THE OUTLOOK FOR AMERICANS AT
CLOSE OF DAYS PLAY IS EN-
CONTRACTING

! to-day on ten boards II in the nature of this
contest that the decision cannot be reached in one
! day However. the American PLAYERS may feel re-
/ assured the outlook yesterday evening when
hosulities closed for the day. although they must
not relent in the hard task set before them to-day
/ The teams were paired follows.
America Great Britain America. Great Britain
! PiilshuTy rs Lawrenoe Loigt vs. Be!Angham
J Marshall Atkins. Newman vs. Blake
FiS1hss VS. Nils Helms VS. Giraiastone 7i1tfast
The Americans displayed the white pieces on the
! odd numbered boards and the Britishers the
even numbered boards Previous TO the beginning
OF play. and before the names Of the
exchanged in order 10 ascertain the pairing the
usual complimentary messag ges were exchanged be
tween the officials and the PLAYERS. dispatch by
Pillsbury 10 the Brooklyn Chess Club assured the
managers Of the contest that he and Marshall
would play their games with Lawrence and Atkins.
respectively. over the board in London to-day
The British team this year is seriously handi-
capped by the absence Of J. n. BlaCkburne and be
sides, ii appears be much weaker than any which
took part in previous cable encounters The British
captains reason for putting Lawrence at the helm
Is not apparent and certainly justified by his
record in previous contests. for he has played in
the last three years and has always been beaten.
Aside from Mason. who beat ShowaIter last year.
the best the British team is undoubtedly
Mills, with a cable record of five draws and one
win. He is preceded by Atkins who so far has
won two games and lost four. a new man is Gridle-
stone. Blake played in the initial match when he
lost Mitchell last year beat Marshall Thus
form the British team can hardly expect be
victorious,
All the members Of the American team have
played before in these matches. and are all well
known Showalter. the Kentuckian this year
prevented from taking part in the match and so
Helms. a former champion OF the Brooklyn Chess
Club was called upon TO take a place on the team
While Delmar, q veteran. kindly consented to fill
in vacancy caused by the inability Of the Pha-
delphia player, hampton, to assist in the match
an rha team {, uHfl Ta1-
mars last appearance in 1860.
AFTER the usual exchange Of complimentary mes
sages from the Brooklyn and London officials and
players the names Of the players were sent back
and forth, and precisely 10 a. the first moves
were sent 20 London and rice versa
As stated before. the American team was
Quoting play at the assembly rooms OF the Academy
OF Music, Brooklyn. while the Englishmen played
their games at the CAFE MoHico, London.
BY mutual consent, Plsbury and Marshall were
Lawrence and Atkins over the board in London.
Bake aone ars6 r I me bns4Sn ism paysT
cans cans 9nly chose an open game on the hfth ana
Tended himself with a Sicilian. so that there were
only only two open games games 6oth Of them & being Kgy
an old form Of attack, which was frequently used
is called English opening from the correspond
ence game between London and Vienna The Bos-
he outmanoeuvred his adversary in the opening
In the afternoon Sting Mason worked hard To-
mend things but when hostlities ceased the posi-
On the fourth board Lee offered Queens Gam
bit TO Hodges. the latter declining take the
gambit pawn There was nothing unusual in the
run OF the game for twenty moves except that
Englishman did not derive the advantage. which
the first player should have a rule Later IN
the day Hodges stiu further improved his posi-
ton and just before the adjournment for the day
ne won the exchange. This game ought to be won
by America.
An interesting and spirited encounter took place
on Board >, where Hymes had 70 contend against
a Slciian Defence, played by Mills. II is rather
a coincidence THAT the cable record Of the two
players Is exactly alike each having won one
game and drawn five The game reached a climax
just before the adjournment and the position was
left in favor OF Mills. The game sixth
board almost i6entically with that on the
fourth table. and Noigt too. succeeded IN isolatng
one Of Bellingham's pawns. The Englishman.
however. b. pinning knight IS making trouble
for the American. The game IS open, and VIII
prove highly interesting
Demar, the seventh board. obtained su-
periority in the opening. but eventually Trenchard
assumed the initiative pressing the attack
great skill Delmar will have play well. in
deed 70 come out with flying coors. The game
between Howell and Mitchell stands rather even
and VIII likely be drawn the resumption Of play,
although there are plenty Of possibilities for either
side Helms, on the last board. has slightly the
better position but his advantage far from
being winning present