The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-07-01

q 0hoegboard VIII MIN on tDD bfOAp
campaigns7' this epsalcer asked. yves not
tho game his solaoe az st. Helenaf Your
philosopher Franklin was one OF the groatest
'ohess ariateurs u his time. He has writ
ton that chess was TN cid TO him In the
study of languages In this way aThe stake
Hibhf q. ,ffisnd was always that tn 4oser
should expound and explain q lesson Id
whatever language they were then studying
together, the relaxation being pleasant aid
to their linguistic Advancement
Buckle, the historian OF civilization; was
q master OF chess. Travelling In Italy and
Greece, 1t was his pleasure to mingle with
the NATIVES at the wine shops and TO take on
matches for small stakes with tho most
expert chess players. After the over
coming OF a local champion, the professor
would pocket the gains with much glee.
The, sons OF those sunny dimes who
gather In the gaudily decorated oonfec-
tionery chops near Grand and Baxter streets
now play dominoes In preference to cheas;
but Buckle, could he return from the shades
to pay a sportive visit to Second avenue,
could get action, as tho sporting phrase
.sgoes, very quickly In a chess match for
money. Should he leave q winner Q tradi-
ton Of the chess colony would be shattered.
= Among the reputable chess clubs and
cafes Of Second avenue are several In which
tho open games are not suoh as q stranger
would be wise IN joining. In q dingy
place there are long haired and .ehabbtly
clad masters who win play for stakes Of a
nickel, and, should tho game by any chance
go aRainet them, cheat IN tho most Rlar1ng
way to gain the small sum that tothem may
mean q meal.
There are establishments too, Of the
ornate in fittings, where chess lie played at
the two or three tables nearest to the en-
trance, in full view Of passersby. The
players are keen faced and display much
jewelry, but the matches between them
selves are Of q perfunotory sort.
They have always q watchful eye on the
door and the loungers at other tables, who
become very intent on their papers when a
stranger enters, suggest the cappers of q
brace faro bank. Their occupation g., In
deed, a similar one.
The siRhtseer, manifestly, may not walk
in boldly and announce that he wants q
match at chess. Instead, he win take q
seat and order something, while taking q
first look.
Now the quiet man; who bids him good.
day in the foreign manner. or who passes
the newspaper, is readily accepted as .
table acquaintance Very soon chess b.
comes the topic, and, II confident OF his
strength. The stranger will be introduced
quickly to one Of the masters at q front
table, but II he Is modest, or admits an
inferior game, 10! by q fortunate chance.
the table acquaintance is q player Of eI-
actly the same class and q little side match
is very oon arranged.
Whether a bold or modest amateur,
there Ii but one ending to the matches;
the stranger has been welcomed and they
take him In. At the better sort OF clubs
the games are fair and the visitors will
meet With brilliant and delightful oppo-
nenta.
The rocks of the avenue are far from
being Of unsound mind, but in the greed
for gain one may not say as much for their
moral sense. The habit Of playing for
money, however, lie as well established at
the best clubs as in the shoddy cafes. This
aspect Is treated in a matter Of course way.
Il have had a busy day announced .
caller as he greeted his friends at n Of
the best chess clubs. Got over to Brooklyn
at noon, sold sc, 600 worth OF goods before
. O'Clock and won SO from Billy Pawn
before Q O'Clock at the Brooklyn Chsss
Club
There are chess rooms at the New YORK
Athletic Club and the Republican Club,
and probably there arc chess players In
every city club, although to keep a board
and Get of pieces is ample enough provision
for their needs.
The roaming Of a non.player among tho
city haunts of chess players docs not gather
any testimony in support Of the notion that
the game tends toward insanity, but there
was no attempt made to seek the views Of
alienists or other specialists. After chatting
with many players these deductions took
shape.
There are mannerisms In constant players
of chess that may be grouped and formu-
lated into divisions, but while generic they
are by no means symptoms Of insanity.
Every game and sport brands certain
trademarks on its votaries. One attribute
OF the chess players met with 10 an un-
usually keen eye and dilated pupil, especially
in young men, and this characteristic is
often as marked as In the eyes Of opium
flends.
Alertness Of mind, q certain Incidence
that suggests the lounging walk Of the
habitual dock fisherman, and an air Of
mental absorption. or rather Of RETROSPECT
ton, are also traits.
They are delightful persons to meet, but
the non-player gains the. impression that
those without the cult are not regarded
highly by chess players. They chat pleas
antly on ~commonplaces; exchange ideas,
experiences or stories; show profuse hos
pitality, as in invitations to luncheon, din
ner, or to visit in the home circle, but are
often selfish in small matters, as the omis-
sion to pass around a box OF choice cigars,
valued for ones own smoking.
While keeping up their end with de-
lightful politeness in general society there
is always the sub-conscious influence to be
detected II one looks for 1t, the air Of being
for the time a da wdler while more weighty
matters are in allegiance. 1t is the same
manner which Is noted In the statesman
when %unbending to talk commonplace,
the business man who swings vast deals,
the painter or actor who is a willing slave
to his art. Even more apparent in the
chess Mayer is the childlike simplicity in
words and the absence Of sel%f-consoious-
ness Of the religious zealot, whose inner