Evening star., 1934-01-29
MERE are two contests now going
on for the District chess cham
pionship. One involves the regu-
lar round-rObin championship

\11E1tC are Two COIlCeSCS now 8OulS
on for the District chess cham
pionship One involves the regu-
i lar round-robin championship,
the other the match champion
ship. We have heretofore had both Of
these contests for the District cham
pionship, but I believe never before at
the same time.
When I first came to Washington In
1881, on visit, a DR.. Jones was rated
as the strongest player. Later, when
came here to live. j. E. Mcfarland a
brother Of H. B. F. Macfarland. at one
time District Commissioner, stood at
the top. Frank P. Libbey, in 1928,
gave cup. which was contested for in
tournament by Wright, Hanna, O'Far-
rell, your chess editor and others.
Wright won the cup, and having won
1t three times in succession, in open
tournaments 1t became his permanent
property.
challenged Wright to play match
for the championship and after we had
played eight or ten games. with the
score standing about even, Wright re-
linquished the title and moved to Call
fornia, taking the trophy with him.
I was at once challenged for the title
and there followed a number of matches
with Gwyer, O'Farrell, Hanna, Tibbetts
and others. In a long, close struggle
v. Sournin defeated me for the title.
Later Sournin moved to Panama.
About 1916 play was resumed for q
silver cup. I. S. Turover and yodr chess
editor tied for this trophy, with Turover
winning in play-off. Turover re-
peated his victory in two open tourna-
ments and the cup became his perma-
nent possession.
He never was challenged for the title
and there was no other titular competi-
ton until 1927 Turover was induced
by G. E. Bishop, believe, to relinquish
his title 50 that there might be an
open tournament. I participated as
veteran" reluctantly. and won the
title.
In 1880 another tournament was held
for the Turover trophy. won first
place again and repeated in 1881. These
tournaments Of 80 and 81 were held
under the sponsorship Of the District
Of Columbia Chess League.
First place carried with 1t full title
Of District champion, both tournament
and match champion.
Then came an effort to separate these
titles. My title as tournament cham
pion was not subject to challenge, but
a tournament was arranged by players
to determine who was the match cham
pion. This was an elimination affair.
The players involved, excepting myself,
played against each other. and after
there was but one left undefeated, he
was pitted against me.
Byler won out in the elimination and
his match championship was fully rec
ognized by me. He was challenged by
others for this title through the Dis
vi of al
He refused to recognize the juris-
diction of the Chess League in regard
to this title and the Chess League has
likewise refused to accord him the
match championship title. claiming the
league was in control.
"HE title Of chess champion Of the
United States also has been con-
tested for and held in both ways.
The first contest was held in New York
City In 1857 with is entries It was
really a contest between Paul Morphy
Of New Orleans and Louis Paulsen of
Dubuque, Iowa. Individual matches Of
three games up were played, a player
being eliminated as fast as defeated.
Morphy finally defeated Paulsen and
was proclaimed champion, his prize
being a service costing $500.
The second Chess Congress, held In
Cleveland in 1871, had nine entries,
who played a round-robin tourney,
won by Capt. George H. Mackenzie, his
prize being $100 and the championship.
The next four congresses also were
round-robin affairs, with from 9 to 20
entries, first prize not over $1,000.
The sixth congress was held at New
York in 1889. Then jackson w.
Showalter won the championship at
tournament of the United States Chess
Association.
Since then the championship Of the
United States and purse has been
contested for In matches.
THE tournament conducted by the
District Of Columbia Chess League
Is being played at the Capital City
Chess Club. The regulations provide
that the winner Of the tournament be
given the title of chess champion Of
the District Of Columbia and the sur
rounding community recognized as the
metropolitan area of the District
The first round was scheduled for
January 19 with the following rounds
on successive Fridays. The time limit
is IS moves the first two hours, Is COM
plete moves per hour thereafter.
There are six entries IN the tourney,
v. Sournin. present District cham
pion, with two legs already on the !. s.