Evening star., 1938-07-10

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the chessboard that seems uncanny to
those who turn to the game as a pas
time when the days chores are done.
With few exceptions all the living
great international masters are be-
tween IS and IS. They started young.
And chess-plsy will keep them men,
tally youthful. For even as physical
exercise is conducive to litheness,
grace, agility and longevity Of the
human body, SO mental athletics-and
that is chess-will forestall absent
mindedness. amnesia, thought inertia
and preserve mental mobility till the
greatest Groszmeister of them all
whispers softly. "Checkmate."
Last week I chatted with three local
players. all past the 8O-year mark.
Though infirm of body each mentally
was young. And chess. the athletics of
the mind, is their constant tonic. It
stimulates: it beeets patience, analy-
tical ability. retentive memory. fosters
concentration and is a mental elixir
that conjures up a philosophic calm in
an otherwise hurdy-gurdy existence.
Why chess?
But I Learned Late"
That Is the statement one 80 often
hears when personal introduction to
chess is mentioned
The chances are that the person who
says But I learned late" never will
be an expert. He may become a littl.
master in his own bailiwick. a kleiner
meister-our coined expression for
talent that falls short Of national
distinction but merits civic recog-
milton.
But by assiduous and close perusal
OF the better books on the funda-
mentals. the opening. middle game,
end-game, pawn-play, minor and
major principles of exchange, posi-
tional and combination tactics, the
late beginner" can defeat the average
practical player of long standing and
win the esteem and respect of the bet
ter players in his own community.
BY all means blend theory with
practice. Dreamers in chess are COM
mon. Yet it is the pragmatist, the
realist, the thinker r-in-action who
chalks up the most victories in casual
and match play.
1t is never to late to take up chess.
In Washington there are a number
OF splendid club organizations. Fore
most are the Capital City Chess Club
at Hotel Gordon; Washington Social
Chess Divan at Parkside Hotel, and,
on Thursdays. Paul Morphy Chess
Club at 1903 Fourteenth street NV.
Some % other clubs or groups meet ir-
regularly. Only New York City exceeds
the Nations Capital in chess con-
sciousness.
Central Library Co-operates.
Local libraries in recent years ma
terally have increased available chess
literature. Mr.. Ralph L. Thompson. in
charge OF the Central Library, advises
that his library owns about IS differ
ent titles on chess and many Of these
are in duplicate.
The personnel Of Central
Library will give you prompt
and courteous CO. opera ton in
servicing your chess needs.
Some Of the available books, pub
lished since 1920, are: Capablanca's
Chess Fundamentals";; Brian Harley's
Chess for the Fun of IT,; DR.. Lasker's
Common Sense in Chess" and Man
ual Of Chess; Frank Marshall's Chess
In an Hour" Chess Masterpieces,
Chess Step by Step (collaborated
with Macbeth). and "Comparative
Chess; Mitchell's Guide. to the Game
Of Chess; Carlos Torres Develop
ment Of Chess Ability; Winkelman's
Modern Chess" and How Not to Play
Chess" by Znosko- Borovski.
BY club practice, plus careful and
selective study you can become one
Of the leading satellites Of Caissa.
Perhaps ever. kleiner meister. Quien
sabe?
But. remember. chess Is a heady
mental wine. Of strong body and mis-
chievous spirits. Beware Of the jabber-
wock!
Mccormick, New Jersey Champ.
Edgar T. Mccormick Of East Orange,
n. j.. has emerged g victor In the up.
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