The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-01

Mr.. Lasker, who is a small man,
speaks with a strong German accent
and is not doctor at all as might be
surmised from his title. Tie title de-
soended to him from his father who was
a practicing physician in the old coun-
try although the title of doctor rightly
belongs to him as he is an accredited
doctor Of philosophy.
The title of chess champion of the
world came to Doctor Laslzer after a
series of Is games played in the cities
of New York, Montreal and Philadel-
phia with William Steinitz Who had
defended the title of worlds champion
for 28 years. Ten of these games were
won by the present champion, five Of
them were lost and four were drawn.
Twenty-Five years ago DR.. Lasker be-
gan playing chess for his own amuse-
ment being but u years of age at the
time, and has followed it nearly con-
stantly since. He is at present a mathe-
matician and journalist as he expresses
it; being the editor of Lasker's Chess
Magazine in New York city where he
now resides.
In speaking of his career as a chess
player and the game of chess, DR..
Lasker said: 4 began playing chess
when / was very yOu7g and imme-
diately became fascinated with the
game and followed it until it has be-
come a fixed habit with me. When
I was but twelve or thirteen years of
age 1 played about the city of New
York among the societies which at that
time offered prizes for the best play
ers. I soon found that I could win
the prizes whenever ] wanted to and
then [ began to look about for play
ers who were admitted to be the best
in the country. Twelve years later
when I was twenty-five years of age
I challenged William Steinitz, who
had held the championship of the
world for twenty-eight years and won
from him the title, of worlds cham
to defend against all corners. Be
sides the championship I won $4,000
which always goes with the champion
ship series of games as a side wager.
Il have been challenged a num-
Der of times since I have held the
title but so far I have not been able
to get a series of games Something
seems to always happen to the other
fellow just at the critical moment.
A few years ago I had a game matched
and all of the details arranged, and
part of the money I was going to
win spent, when my opponent re-
ce1ved blow on the head which
fractured his skull and the match was
declared off I stand ready at this
time as I have at all times in the past
to defend my title against all comers.'
What do you think of the effects
| OF chess playing as far as broaden
ing the mind is concerned" was asked
Chess playing" he said, t'is one of
/ the greatest mind drills known today.
1t is being adopted by the colleges in
/ the east and in the foreign countries
| for mind drill, just as football and
! other games are in this country. and it
viii not be long until all of the larger
/ colleges have their chess team Just as
/ they now have their teams to COM
/ pete in sports where strength and skill
are required instead of brain power
| Games are now being played be-
4 tween teams in this country and teams
across the water the cables being
utilized to make the moves. Chess
playing is of great benefit to those who
/ indulge in the game, as it not only
strengthens and brOadens the mind
/ but it rests 1t as we'll If you will no
/ tice the matter closelyy you will find that
/ the men who play the game for re-
creation have more hair than the aver
age run of mankind
Professor Iasker will deliver an ad-
! dress before the mem bers of the tour
/ nament at Security hall this evening.
After the address he will play eighteen
/ games simultaneously. There is no
admission.
Harvey Has Chance to Win.
At noon time today there are but five
| possible winners of the state chess
| championship. One of these is the
| present champion who has all but lost
his chance, for it is impossible to win
| after having lost three games a4t Of
| the series and he has already lost two
| of the nine played.
At the present time it appears though
the next state champion viii be ex- Gov
ernor A. n. Harvey who has played