The San Francisco call., 1913-08-10

Play in the Prize Winners Tourna
ment at the Mechanics Institute started
last week. In the first round Fink
lost to Branch. who defended with the
Petroff; Stamer. playing the white side
of Giuoco Piano. drew with Ryder,
while Clarke and Gruer likewise drew
Queens Gambit. the former playing
white. The Hallwegen-Sm Smith game
was postponed
week Prizes will be given to first
and second.
Frank ]. Marshall completed the cir
Gle OF the United States on July %,
when he reached New York, after a
tour which lasted about SIX weeks Mar
shall writes: Arrived O. X, q bit tired
and nervous, but otherwise fine. His
next appearance in tournament play
will probably be at St Petersburg.
Russia.
From the first Chess Corner which
appeared fn The Call Of February 2,
1913, we have received loyal support
from the Pacific coast fraternity, and
have bushels of letters from apprecia-
tive friends who have been good
enough to indicate their approval of
the material which appears from
week to week. However, there are
probably many who read the column
and appreciate the efforts put forth to
make 1t interesting and, above all, ac-
curate, but who have never taken the
t.ouble to let us know about it. One
such is Mr.. W. Boyd of Honolulu, who
was a visitor at the Mechanics Insti-.
tute last week. Mr.. Boyd said some
very flattering things about the col
umn, and remarked that he had been
on the point of writing several times.
After solving the problems and play
Ing over the games. Mr.. Boyd mailed
the column to chess playing friend
in another part Of the islands.
An opportunity for securing exeel
lent instruction in chess is offered by
E. w. Gruer, whose ability as a chess
player is known to readers of this coll
umn. Gruer who has been a prof"
at the University of California summer
school, and who will have charge Of
the chemistry department at the Unl-
versity of New Mexico when that in
stitutIon opens for its fall semester,
will give instruction to any one, espe-
cially the young idea" who desires to
learn the royal game. During August
Gruer will have more or less leisure,
and may be found or communicated
with at the Mechanics Institute Chess
club, 81 Post street (third fioor). By
the way, the western intercollegiate
champion does not entirely agree with
W. r. Ellis of Lincoln, Neb.. whose in
teresting articles on How to Teach
Chess" were printed in this column
recently Gruer doesn't believe in
teaching the beginner to move quickly,
and he promised to set forth his rea-
sons in an article in rebuttal OF MIR.
Ellis. Anyway, here is chance for
ambitious San Francisco schoolboys to
secure initiation into the elusive"
mysteries of chess by an acknowledged
expert.
Earl Simonson, chess editor of the
Advance of Staten island. and w. r.
Ellis of Nebraska are playing Shake
spearean game by correspondence An
appropriate quotation from the poet ac-
companies each move So far 20 moves
have been made. With Ill. KPxP,
Ellis wrote. "This is the fruit of rash
ness"-Richard III. For his nineteenth
move, PxKt ch.. Simonson selected this
from Troilus< and Cressida: Strike,
fellows, strike, This is the mani seek.
A Shakespearean game has just been
completed by two players in England
which lasted SO mbves. The game with
quotations occupies three pages of the
Chess Amateur Magazine.
While next to nothing is known of
the alleged author of the immortal
dramas and poems. Shakspere of STRAIT
ford it is probable he never saw
chessboard Judging from the entire
absence OF books in New Place STRAIT
ford. the owner didn't care overmuch
for things making a demand on the.
intellect.
Here is evidence that the probable
author (Francis Bacon) was chess
player:
In his famous letter to the earl OF
Devonshire, explaining his conduct In
regard to the unfortunate earl of Es-
sex, Bacon relates asconversation he
held with Queen Elizabeth: Madam,
1 see you withdraw your favor from
me. and now / have lost many friends
for your sake; shall lose you, too;
you have put me, like one of those
the French call enfants perdu, that
serve on foot before the horse SO have
you put me into matters of Envy with
out Place, or without Strength: and 1
know at Chess q Pawn before the King
is ever much played upon.v
very neat simile, and one which
shows that the man who took all
knowledge to be his province in
cluded therein knowledge of the fine
points of chess.