Evening star., 1941-09-14
- CHESS W
The Game and Its
Players
By Paul J. Miller, J.


In 1875, when the Lebanon
CTenn) Herald announced through
its chess column that it desired COM
posers of the world to submit orig
inal problem compositions in It's
prize tourney, it did not realize
that a mere chess attraction would
make the little Tennessee newspa-
per nationally famous and inter-
nationally known. But that is what
happened.
Chess is a universal game, and
in response to the prospectus Is
sued by the Herald, there came
from all the great countries of the
world original problem creations
by the geniuses of that day. An
elegant "coin- silver" prize cup, suit
ably inscribed, was given to the
composer of the best tWo-move prob
lem. A years paid subscription to
the Herald was the second prize
award, and to the author of each
problem deemed worthy of honor
able mention by the judges was
presented a handsomely engraved
certificate as testament 10 his
ability. Later. unique chess draw
ing was substituted as second prize,
and the periodical subscription rele-
gated to the status of third prize.
Conditions of the Lebanon Her
aid Prize Tourney for Original Prob
lem Compositions, as stated in the
prospectus, were:
Il Problems offered for competition in
this tourney must be original hltherio
unpublished and in two moves. the only
| stipulation allowed being, White to Dlay
and mate in two moves" The author S
S9Htlo1 must be on 5ns reverse Oh the
''.s Problems must reach US on or be-
fore December %. 1875. .--.-,
| 20. Each problem must be designated
| by motto and accompanied BY sealed
| envelope superScrlbed with the motto and
| containing the authors name and address.
| Every composer may, Of course submit
as many probleT1s as he desires.
The closing time Tor submission
of problems was extended to May l,
1876, and some 1873 problems were
submitted by composers then living
in Massachusetts,, Rhode Island
| New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, Maryland, South Carolina
Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio
Illinois, Missouri. Michigan, New
Mexico, United States of America;
Ontario and Quebec. Canada; Eng
land, Scotland, France, SWltzer-
land, Italy and Prussia.
Three committees were employed
to ascertain the value of the sub
mitted problems, namely Commit
tees on Examination, Publication
and Award.
Viewed from every angle, the
Herald Prize Tourney was a tre-
mendous success. American as vel
as foreign composers benefited, sub
scriters to the newspaper had the
rare privilege of enjoying orlglna
creations by the most eminent au-
thors of the time, and the good
will that resulted was a boon te
the advancement of chess play.
The Star Composing Tourney.
This column does not propose u
emulate all details of the 1875 Her
aid tourney, as outlined above
But it will receive original, unpub
lished two-move compositions, with
white to play and mate, the author
name and address and solution TO o'
given on the reverse side OF the papel
containing the problem.
Tentatively, the closing date fol
submission of problems will be JAN
uary /, 1912. No motto will be re-
ouired with any problem submit
ted, although the author may in
clude one if he or she chooses
Competition is open to chess play
ers all over the world.
Naturally, the composer may sub
nit as many original and hlthertt
unpublished problems as he desires
We would emphasize that the SUD-
mitted problems must not have beer
published anywhere under any cir
cumstances! All entries should bt
mailed to: Chess Editor, The Star
Washington, D. c.
Problems submitted become I'M
property of The Star.
Prize awards Of suitable proper
tions will be given and their eXac
nature will be comparable to IN
excellence of the prizes given IN IN
Lebanon Herald original tWo-moV
problem composing tournament.
Already, F. Gamage OF Brocktor
Mass, has submitted eight origlna
hitherto unpublished problems, wit
white to play and mate in tW
moves. for consideration for tn
prize awards in the 194l Washing
ton Star original tWo-move probleI
composing tourney. 1t is our wis
that, from problem composer
throughout the world, will com
original compositions, hitherto ur
published, of the same high stano
ard of creative genius as exempt
fed by the artistry of Mr.. Gamag
! one of the greatest living problel
composers of two-move themes
the United States.
Chess Problem No. 1863.
BY F Gamage, Brockton. Mass. 1871
tOrigiral to The Washington Star. Was
lngton, D. C. for entry in the 1941
Prize CompoSing Tourney