The Washington herald., 1922-08-27
by HERMAN HELMS.

Criticism OF Capablanca. Aljechin
and Rubinstein for the lack OF en-
terprise displayed I'm the conduct OF
the two games. A Aljechin w. Capa
blanca and Rubinstein vs. Capa
blanca. in the ninth and fourteenth
rounds Of the London tournament.
has been pretty general, in spite OF
the fact that the fea. of winning IL
out of Is games and drawing four
is about as high an average as can
be expected even OF a worlds cham
pion. Aljechin. the second prize
winner. won eight and drew seven.
without losing one-likewise an ac-
complishment to which his descend
ants will assuredly point with pride.
There is no denying the evident
and worldwide disappointment
over the failure of these supermen
of the chess arena to produce the
genuine masterpieces that were ex-
pected Of them in the two encoun-
ters in question. 1t is possible. too.
that some of those who contributed
toward the congress fund are dis
satisfied and feel that full. return
has not been made. InCratitude has
been charged. but in the very ma
ture of things such an accusation
cannot very well be substantiated.
Be all this as IL may. il is DIM
cult and well-nigh impossible for
others. quite unburdened by any
sense of responsibility as must nee
essarily weigh heavily upon any
participant in competition of
such Importance. either to place
themselves in their shoes or sppre-
ciate their problems. The latter
naturally play the best they know
how against all of their opponents.
Influenced more or less by moods
or mental and physical condition.
Nevertheless they owe il to them
selves to keep a close watch on
the standing of the players as IL
varies from day TO day. in conse-
quence OF which il becomes expe-
dent al times to play strictly TO
the score" This is done in some
form OF other in all competitions.
Chess is peculiar to itsclf IN that
a player. under favorable condi-
tions. may stand pat. The same
applrs in a way to the batsman at
cricket. who. no matter where he
hitS tho ball. needs not stir from
his wicket but content himself will
a policy of strict defense. His side
to oe sure. will get no runs. but he
continues in the game. II is differ
ent in baseball. where the batsman
Is forced under the rules either to
strike or give way to better man.
There are very important tricks of
gcneralship. however. (which leave
the individual out of the question.
as In the matter of sacrifice hits
and stealing bases. the object o!
which is victory for the side. re-
Gardless OF batting averages and
the like. No one should have the
presumption to dictate to a batter
to hit a: a hall not over the plate
or % steal second when his own
Judgment tells him TO hug first
base.
In this respect. it's somswha: the
same with she chess master who
views :hc tournament he is engaged
in as a whole ard has a definite OBJ
jective-the winning OF a prize. Tc
accomplish this II is sometimes
necessary for him to close his eyes
to al; considerations save those
which will advance his position or
enable him to retain the one he has
climbed to after much arduous
striving.
As to the methods of play he
adopts. that's purely a question OF
policy or taste and can hardly be
prescribed for him unless u be oy
regulations made public and agreed
upon beforehand. Once the contest
is on. the players. generally speak
ing. are the masters of their des-
TIMES and are free to do as they
please so long as they comport
themselves as true sportsmen in
their contact with each other and
SO play as to conform to the fun
damental rules OF chess and the
special regulations provided for
that particular occasion.
The fault lies not so much with
the experts as. possibly. with the
game they play and certain draw
backs. emphasized more especially
in encounters between the grand
masters" These may we'll invite
the earnest attention OF the man.
ayers Of future congresses Of sim
liar Importance. To the great rank
and file this does not and most like.
ly will never apply.
The need OF an international
chess federation to legislate or
knotty points of this character ID
moro apparent than ever.
Although disappointment 10 general
throughout the chess world over the
unsatisfactory character Of the games
played by Jose r. Capabiapca. WHINE,
of the London tournament. againsi
Aljechin and Rubinstein, there will b<
nothing but expressions of pleasure
after a perusal of the fine game be.
tween the champion and 7. a Morr1.