Evening star., 1937-05-02
BY PAUL J. MILLER, JR,,
AMERICAS AUTHORITY ON SOCIAL
CHESS.
Metropolitan Chess Assoc ciation.

NOSFOpOAlIAn SHCSS AS0OCkAtlO0.
~ RIGINALLY founded in jan
I uary, 1896, by players rep
\ resentative Of chess clubs in
~ the Department Of Agricul-
ture, University of Maryland and the
1nterhigh Chess Association and or
ganized to conduct q District open
team tournament, the Metropolitan
Chess Association-active Clearing
house" for all District chess activities
today-has grown rapidly.
One salient reason for its sue
cess lies in the genuine co-opera-
tion that 1t has received from
the players in Washington and
environs.
Another important factor in its de-
velopment has been the adequate lead
ership during periods Of trying times
and grave issues.
E. V. Fineran, president of the
Washington Gas Light Co. Chess Club,
was the first executive of the Metro
politan Chess Association, commonly
known by its initials: M. C. A. Under
his tutelage the association gained
strength, made many valuable con-
facts, and inaugurated a very sue
cessful team tournament which was
won by the War Department Chess
Club, now the Paul Morphy Chess
Club.
Abe Seidenberg, president of the
University of Maryland Chess Club,
personally directed the progress of
the tournament in which IL quintets
were entered with 8 completing the
schedule.
Under Fineran's capable hand the
M. c. A. fostered the idea Of a city,
wide club for chess-play. instituted a
series of educational chess exhibits
and Institutional chess lectures in
conjunction with the chess department
OF The Evening Star.
Sponsors All District Tournaments.
ON JANUARY l the opening round
for the special bronze Y Chess
Trophy for the individual champion
OF all District schools was played at
the Central Y. M. c. A. Fineran lent
his support to this school tournament
and the Y agreed to Cooperate 100
per cent with the Metropolitan Chess
Association, which was to have COM
plete jurisdiction over the annual
school tourney for the Y trophy and
the award of an individual Y medal
for the District school champion. The
Interhlgh Chess Association, under
President Robert Knox, supported the
District school tourney and heartily
Endorsed the annual fray.
Acting chairman of the new
year school tourney was Earl
Kunkle, president of the War
Department Chess Club and
captain Of the quintet that won
the first team tournament spon-
sored by the NJ. C. A.
kunkle succeeded Fineran as chief
executive of the Metropolitan Chess
Association and under his competent
leadership the NJ c. A. crystallized
its program to embrace a District
amateur chess championship, a Dis
trict women's chess championship and
champion Of champions tournament
for the District Of Columbia, the lat
ter to supplant any private committee
arrangement for the District title by
class A players or any other chess oil
garchy operating on a SNUG, undemo-
cratic basis
Through the courtesy of l. S. Tur-
over, one Of the greatest players in
the District (if not the ereatest), the
chess editor Of The Evening Star OBJ
tanned silver cup as a trophy for an
nual competition by teams represent
ing all high schools in the District.
The Washington Interhigh Chess AS
soclatlon conducts the annual school
team Journeys and the M. C. A. has
jurisdiction over the Turnover School
Trophy, which has been twice won by
Central High
New President Seeks Unity.
7 1PON Kunkle's resignation, that
he might better guide the des-
TIMES Of the chess club emanating
from the War Department personnel,
Prof. Paul j. Miller honorary
adviser to the M. C. A., was elected
unanimously to. chart the future
course of the association. Other Off
GERS are: Vice president, D. S. Burch,
Department of Agriculture Chess
Club; secretary. Abe Seidenberg, Uni
versity Of Maryland Chess Club;
treasurer, Mrs. Anna Bran. Ladies