Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01

The management of the league an
nounces that its leading exponent, F. B.
Walker, recent chess champion of the
District, has consented to give a stimuli
taneous exhibition for thu benefit of de-
partment players Wednesday. December
IL. All such who desire to take a board
are invited, through the courtesy of the
Chess Club. to be on hand at 7:45 pm. in
order to participate. They are requested
however. if possible, to communicate be-
forehand with their respective team cap
tains, or with the secretary Of the league
Charles L. Smell, Navy Department, Mills
building, in order that suitable provision
can be made in case of large number be-
ing present.
1t is pretty generally known among the
followers of chess in the city that the
latest holder of the chess championship of
the District V. Sournin, has left the city
thus rendering the title vacant Sournin
had been occupying position in the gov
eminent service with the geological sur
vey and has accepted transfer to Pana-
ma, in connection with the canal work
1t Is also well known that the title has
been vested in a number of Well-known
players in succession and that the only
way to acquire 1t was for some one to
challenge the holder and arrange for a set
match. as is done in the case of the
worlds championship. Such a match gem
orally occupied weeks, If not months, to
decide. There has been, it way be stated,
no match for the District championship
Tor several years. When a match occurred
1t was, of course. very interesting event
and productive of excellent chess. But the
disadvantage of the system has been that.
owing to the individual challenge feature
of 1t, the title had a tendency to remain
fallow for an indefinite period because,
although there might be several players
each fully strong enough to challenge the.
holder, yet for various reasons none would
care to single himself out.
Naturally the present junCture is one
that can be dealt with only by the Wash
ington Chess Club, it being the only club
and the recognized headquarters of local
chess players. We are informed by F.
c. Lavender, secretary of the club, that
the situation has been under discussion
and that there is strong probability that
the club will conduct an open tournament
for the District championship early in the
new year. Furthermore, it, is probable
that the conditions will be changed so
that a similar tournament will be held
about the same time every year, the win
ner of course being vested with the title
of District champion for one year only.
1t is proposed that these tournaments
be announced in the press and be open
to all players in the District, whether
members of the Chess Club Or otherwise,
ana that there be nominal entrance fee
of. say, 81, which would be used to
furnish prize to the winner.
Considering the interests of the game
as a whole there seems to be very much
W IA eliC pibii' any lillIlS tldI
will bring together the best players of
the District on even terrrs once year
is well worthy of consideration. And al
though 1t might be conceded that only
small minority of the contestants in such
tournaments had winning chances, still
the prospects of tourney play are always
more open than those of match. play and |
In any event, quite a number of the |
stronger players would no doubt enter |
solely for the excellent practice they
would get
In this connection it may be stated |
that such an important event as the |
British chess championship is decided |
In this manner annually by tournament |
play.