Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-10-27
ARE CLOSE MATCHES.
In Chess Between Jaffe and
CapabIanca.
GREAT HELP FOR LATTER
In Conditioning Him for Coming
Tournament-Loeal Clubs Should
Get Together.

CapabiancaS wisdom in accepting cllal-
lenges from Jaffe and Chajes is clearly
shown by the games played so far. Two
years of exhibition work may be very
glorious and lucrative, but it is no train
ing for one who hoI\s to be chess cham
pion OF the world. The Cuban marvel
is out of condition and whet"er he can
round into his old form in the short
time before the opening Of the New
York-IIavana tournament remains to be
seen. However, his ability to come from
behind whether in a tournament or sin
gle game, is the most striking charac-
teristic of his brilliant style, and the
matches now being played against Jaffe
and Chajes may be sufficient exercise
to put him on edge again. The score OF
the first game with Jaffe, published to-
day, is q safe and sane enough specl-
men, but it is not the Kind of chess
that won for Capablanca at San Sebas-
tan, not the kind that will win at New
York and Havana
also be found below, while showing
Capablanca's wonderful strength as an
"uL-hiIl'' fighter. is still be.ow the Gu
bans potentiality. He could not have
won this game against a Schlechter or
a. Maroczy.
The busiest chess player in New York
these days is Charles Jaffe. Not con-
tent with a game with Capablanca every
other day. he has started a match with
jacques Grommer, lately imported from
Paris. The first game Of this match.
played at the Cafe des Beaux Arts, re-
suited In a draw. We could stand few
willing workers like Jaffe right here
in Washington, D. G.
Before commenting in any way upon
Mr.. Whitaker's letter. published in this
column last Sunday. we have the sim
which will find favor with all who have
the welfare Of chess in the District at
heart: one which. If followed. might go
far toward establishing friendly relations
between the two local chess clubs. 1t is
this: Let Mr.. Zapo.eon and MIR. Whit
aker be matched as the two logical can
didates for the chess champion ship OF
the District. and let the games be PLAYED
alternately in the rooms of the Capitol
City Chess and Checker Club and the
Washington Chess and Whist Club. The
winner Of such a match would hold IN
disputed title TO the championship.
The internal warfare. touched upon in
the foregoing paragraph, now being
waged by local chess payers is particu-
larry unfortunate in view OF the efforts
being made by the Southern Chess As
ISOLATION to hold annual tournaments in
Virginia will be pitted against the Dis
trict experts.
These affairs could. and should, be the
means OF stimulating an activity and
common interest among Washington
chess players which would not only dou-
BILE the games present following here,
but also greatly improve the quality OF
chess played. When chess player set
ties down to fireside skittles with few
boon companions he might we'll play
fiddle de winks'' for all the improve
ment his game will show. Until the local
devotees Of this king of intellectual
pastimes forget their petty auarrels, get
together for contests and tournaments
with neighboring cities and play matches
outside the shelter Of their own clubs
there will never be any chess worthy of
the name in Washington.