Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09
BY PAUL ]. MILLER, JR.,
Americas Authority On Social Chess.
WashinGtOn Social

Warrington Social Chess Divan.
~ PEN for chess play, the WASH
I ington Social Chess Divan Is
\ the finest place In the Dis
~ trict for indulgence in the
game Of kings. the king of games"
The divan Is an outgrowth OF 4
local movement launched last Oc-
tober to provide for chess fans a
centrally located club where one may
come and enjoy the very best in chess
facilities at the least cost
The Metropolitan Chess Associa-
ton sponsored the idea for 4 vide
open District Chess Club" for clubs
and member players. The chess de-
partment Of The Evening Star has
promoted the plan. Unit clubs in
the District have contributed their
support.
But all in all the Social Chess
Divan resulted from the &C.
tive belliEerency of several chess
nuts who never learned the
meaning of cant"
Many donated cash sums at the
beginning to publicize the divan idea
by card and by personal letters to
chess players residing in the vicinity
OF the Nations Capital.
On March the divan opened its
temporary quarters at 1925 Connec-
icut avenue. Within the brief space
OF one month the monthly member
ship swelled from a handful of 40
odd to 100 ardent supporters.
Institutional lectures were featured,
lntradlvan Journeys were initiated and
arrangements made to accommodate
District title tournaments.
An Easter dance was the surprise
OF the month, and sophisticated
washington realized that chess had
IT'S public social aspects.
Need for permanent location
downtown location easily accessible
by car or bus TO all sections of the
city-was obvious.
So the Connecticut avenue divan
closed its doors for, the month of
April. shifted its meetings to Sholl's
CAFE and made plans to open on a
more substantial and independent
basis by May l.
Social Divan At Parkside Hotel.
At FIRST the proper location was
a problem. Many rental agents
rendered suggestions. Finally the
members began to size up the situa-
ton very carefully and possibilities
were explored by the divan officers
and chess director.
Satisfactory arrangements were
reached with the Parkside Hotel for
renovation Of the ground floor space
adjoining the main lobby and con-
verting it into an attractive club.
So the divan, or room of
state" or council chamber" for
organized chess-phy Is now an
established fact.
The Observation-Disclosures Social Chess
Divan-apply to the entire active
membership as q club for clubs and
member players.
The words-Sociai Chess Lounge
apply only to the game room itself
with its modern playing facilities,
which are available to both active
members, visiting players or clubs,
casual players or "drop-ins' who like
an occasional fling at chess. and
itinerant chess fans who are in and
out OF Washington from time to time.
yet relish a place where they may
have friendly chess matches without
assuming quarterly or annual men,
bership burden.
The Social Chess Lounge and
iG facilities may be used BY
any lady or gentleman player
for the small daily cover charge
OF Is cents. Visitors may come
and play 1t will.
Membership in the Downtown Wash.
mgton Social Chess Divan includes
use OF the Social Chess Lounge and
its facilities, circulation library. in
strucuonal lectures and educational
exhibits. Members have carte blanche
privileges to everything, may compete
for the divan championship if they
choose and may use the game facilities
morning, afternoon and night.
Fees for official membership cards
in the Washington Social Chess Divan
are $40 per year, 50 per quarter or
$l.25 monthly. You may take out
any membership you prefer. But the
annual membership or quarterly mem.