The Washington times., 1907-12-29
CAPITAL ATHLETICS
FLOURISHED IN 0O7

the mos progressive Of its kind IN ths
country represented IN the American
Whist League and the American Chess
Congress.
Each year TIE club holds tournament
70 decide the chess championship OF the
local ore Gnization- Then IN the course
Of the year matches are arranged with
nearby clubs and prominent chess nas-
ters are brought down TO give eIhibis
tons Many OF the country most prom
inent players are visitors, as the rooms
OF the club are always open 10 Strangers
Weekly Saturday night whist tOurna-
ments are held. and at the end Of the
season the three highest men receive
handsome prizes
Sournin Loses Title.
In the tournament to decide the cham
pionship OF the club which was held last
January, a surprise was handed out to
the followers OF the game. Sournins
champion OF the District Of Columbia,
and an International player. was touted
for first place, but finished third. The
championship was taken BY W. H.
Smith. who played or q tie with 2. B.
Adams
At Just about the time that this tour
nament was finished interest was kept
awake by the approach OF the Lasker-
Marshall match for the worlds cham
pionship- Lasker, who has held the
title for the last twelve years. was.
challenged by Marshall, the man frsE.
winning eight games 10 be the acknowl-
edged champion. The masters playerI
one OF the series in the Arlington Hotel
IN this city and although the affair was
not under sthe auspices Of the local club.
the members as individuals had very
much 20 DO with the SUCCESS Of the.
match
During the year many prominent chesE
players visited the club. Among these
the following should be mentioned as
they stand pre-eminent IN the game in.
this country. Mr. Barry, who is cham
the Manhattan Club. Of New York; Mr.
HoIges, or the same city; Mr Mormon
champion OF Virginia and Mr.. Levine
stein, champion OF Maryland +
Star Player Joins.
Mr. Fox. who Is considered BY many
10 be one OF the best amateur playera
in the country. Is now with the New
York Herald bureau in Washington.
and is a valuable addition 10 the local
club. Early IN the year. Mr.. Fox and
Mr.. SOUruin, champion Of the District,
played a series OF six games, which
resulted IN a tie. Mr. Sournin also
played a series OF games with Mr.. Lew
instein, the Maryland champion. In this
series the local faEorite beat the Bale
timorean by TO 3 and three draws.
The members Of the club are now.
looking forward 70 the coming tourna-
ment 20 decide q champion 70 succeed
Mr. Sournin. who IS now stationed in
Panama. In this tournament are ex-
pected the entries Of some of the best
players in town The most prominent
men from the club viii be y. Cohen.
A T. Fox. ". H Smith, E B Adams.
w. A Gwyeri and T. 3. Walker The
last was formerly champion OF the
District
Ministers Active.
Many Of the members are o11fte as
much interested IN whist as IN chess
''as chess fasciuates the deepest thinker.
whist delights the keenest wit The
/ club Joined the American Whist I,easus
/ Last summer. in order TO improve their
whist the members changed from ths
| old-fashiOned Mitchell system, in which
| only half the teams meet the other
half, to the new and modern Howell
system.
After the club became q member OF
the league. four matches with the Bali
| tnore Whist Club were played, two OF
t1leEn N W aSnlngt0n. The WASHINGTON
teams lost every match by close scores.
The Baltimore club has players OF na-
uonal reputation. The most prominent
Of these sre Beverly Smith. who is con-
sidered by many the best player in tha
/ United States, and Mr.. MacEldowney.
who has won the championship Of hia
| club for the past five years. Among
| the strong PLAYERS developed IN ths
Washington club might be unentfonedf
| Messrs, Lavender, Polk, Nye. Parker.
turner, Davis, and WoOten. The las{
named played on g champion WashinEs
/ ton team. IN 1882
Ambitious Plans.
The club expects TO send a team to-
/ the meeting OF the Atlantic Whist
League at the Knickerbocker Club. In
New York. In January. Should the team
be successful II VIII be sent to the an
nual meeting Of the American Whist
/ League this coming summer in Boston.
| The club members without -overratine,
/ themselves think that their chess play-
ers are quite as strong and their whist
| players quite as good as any in the city5.
All lovers Of these games are most coz
| daily welcomed 70 come I'D at any tins.
/ to the rooms Of the club and set IN .
game.