Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-26

the Blue Ridge.
Returning TO the city. Hans put
his new knowledge TO good Use by
joining the Federal Chess Club.
which had its quarters IN the same
apartment building In which he
lived. and by the season OF l943-
"A engaged in his first organized
competition. in team matches and
in the Federal Clubs Class B
tournament.
In the season OF ls&4-4s. when
Hans was a sophomore. Central
High School made its only ap-
pearance in the Interhigh Ches.
Association. Hans played top
board for Central. and won the
individual championship OF the
Association during the first half
year.
Ready for Strong Players.
BY 1916 Hans was ready 10
tackle the strongest opposition the
District could offer, and entered
the championship tourney OF the
Washington Chess Divan. The re-
suit made 1t clear that Hans was
a player OF great promise. for he
finished in quadruple tie for
second place, in a bracket which
included D. H. Mugridge, Henry
Rousseau. and Oscar Shapiro.
In January 1947 he annexed the
championship Of the Federal Chess
Club. finishing half q point ahead
Of Harold Burdge. and he kept his
title in 1948. after tying with Ed
mund Nash and defeating him In
the playof1.
In 1947 and 1948 he had two
near misses for the major District
titles: In the first year he was
second in the Divan tourney. only
half point behind Mugridge. and
in the District championship OF
1948. only half a point behind
Shapiro. Hans also shines at fast
chess, and for the last two years
he has been l0-second champion
OF the Divan. winning a play-ofi
with Shapiro on the second oc
casion.
Play National in Scope.
Hans chess has not been con-
fined to the District. and his repu.
tation Is national. In lo46 he
took part in the USCF Open al
Pittsburgh. and was awarded both
the brilliancy and best game
prizes for his victory over Sven
Almgren. using 4 long-range mat
ing combination which provoked
A. z. Santasiere Of the American
Chess Bulletin to sheer lyricism.
In the same year he attended
three other out-of- town events
the United States junior cham.
pionship at Chicago. where HI
tied for second: the small inter.
national tourney at Yankton. s
OAK. where he finished fourth
one point behind the winner
Planas. and the Masters Reserv,
section Of the United States
championships at New York
where he tied for second with
Avram. half a point behind Men.
garini. In 1947 he went to Enid
colt. N. Y, and won the Glass 4
section Of the New York Stat
tourney. In ls4s he took part ii
the junior championship at Gal
Ridge, Tenn, tying for fourth
place one point behind the win
ner. Americas rising master
Arthur Bisguier.
/ Science Major at G. w.
| Hans has finished his secone
year at George Washington Uni
versity as . science major: he ha!
not yet decided what his career Il
TO be. but he does not proposs
to let chess interfere with 1t
whatever 1t may be.
/ The 1919 District tourney which
he has Just won saw q marked i'm
! provement in Hans style Of play
hitherto he has been too muci
concerned to win in an elegant Of
| brilliant manner. to the occasiona
detriment Of his score. This tint
he has grasped the essential point
that the important thing Is tc
win. regardless Of how. and his
games have been marked by great
er patience, economy, and oppor-
tunism. His victory over George
8. Thomas. our ninth and final
entry for the best game prize