The Westminster Papers.

1st APRIL 1879.

LOOKING BACK.

ELEVEN years have passed since these PAPERS first saw the light. At that time the Chess Press was monopolised by Mr. Staunton, who had formerly been the best Chess-player of his day-a man of wit and learning. He could no longer take part in tourneys with the younger players who had risen to the front rank, and towards these younger players he was eminently unfair. It was thought that the baneful influence Mr. Staunton was then exercising over English Chess might be checked by an independent Chess journal, and hence our appearance in the world. I was asked to supply an occasional Whist article, and to answer questions of Whist law. After some hesitation I acceded to the request, and joined the ranks of the promoters in a subordinate character, but with perfect freedom as regards my own department.

At the end of the first year Messrs. Hewitt and Boden retired, and the copyright was assigned to me. Mr. Duffy, from that time, had complete control of the Chess department; I took charge of the other games. For the Chess World Mr. Duffy is exclusively responsible. For the bulk of the Chess matter it is to him that we are indebted, and I think I may, without any disparagement to other writers, say that for wit, sarcasm, and versatility, he has no living rival. It was soon found that one man could not attend to the whole of the Chess. The games and problems take much time, and I therefore sought, and obtained, the assistance of the late R. B. Wormald, one of the most accomplished writers, and one who possessed the most accurate knowledge of Chess openings of any Englishman of his day. The glimpses of the openings in Vol. III. were by poor Tommy. Mr. Duffy noted many games, and Mr. Boden occasionally helped in this department. Later on, Mr. Wisker joined our ranks, and for a long time noted the whole of the Chess games, and it is hardly necessary to say that he did his work with marked ability, vigour, accuracy, and dispatch. Succeeding him was Dr. Zukertort, a man for whom, personally, I have a high regard and friendship, and whose industry and knowledge were placed at our disposal; and it should be remembered that the enormous work entailed on all of us was voluntary and without fee or reward. I do not mean that Herr Zukertort never accepted an honorarium for his articles on the Chess openings, but the fee that he accepted was so small that no one could call it payment for work done. The work was done by lovers of games for love alone, and never for profit. Amongst the writers that assisted us were the Rev. G. A. MacDonnell, and that dear old veteran Geo. Walker, whose stories made such a pleasant break from the ordinary dulness of Chess periodicals. Indeed we tried to make the PAPERS versatile, and any change from the beaten track of game and problem, and problem and game, was gladly welcomed. I thought that by keeping the price of the papers at 6d., we could get information on the subject of games into a poorer class of people. Whether we succeeded or not we cannot tell, but that there are many more Chess players and many more Chess Clubs formed amongst a poorer class of people now than formerly, is an undoubted fact, and that at many of the Work. ing Men's Clubs Whist is played purely as a recreation, we have from time to time recorded. Chess has advanced amongst the poorer classes, but in my judgement has diminished in the higher classes.

In 1869 Kolisch gave us a lift. Cochrane always gave us a helping hand. Captain Kennedy, and G. W Medley were frequent contributors, and if Lowenthal did little for us whilst he lived the fortune of war placed in our hands those beautiful end games of his selection which were chosen and noted, not by his own judgment alone, but by the valued aid of his friend Wisker, to whom we have before referred. These specimens made another pleasant change in our appearance. I valued them much, but I am bound to say that no one ever gave me reason to believe that these end games gave the slightest pleasure. Latterly the games have been noted by Mr. W. N. Potter. That he is honest, fair, able, painstaking, and industrious no one can deny, and the Herculean task that he set himself in noting the Paris games should be sufficient to hand his name down to posterity even after he is forgotten as one of the foremost players of our day. That he should receive little or no thanks for this enormous work, except at the hands of our friends of the City of London Club, shows either that Chess players are very taciturn or that they are very ungenerous. I might perhaps here say that I was indebted to the industry of Mr. Mason for the bulk of the games sent from Paris. We were not niggardly in giving Tourney games. On this point we beat every other paper, and to show the state of matters now and then, see the number of games we gave from America, Vienna, and Paris, and compare our performances with Baden. This tourney took place in September, 1870, and on the 1st of October, 1870, we published five games. At that time Staunton had the Illustrated, the Field, and Era; and in the month of October of that year these five games, and no others from Baden, appeared in the three papers under his control. Amongst the miscellaneous writers, we have to thank Sydney Ensor, Professor Wayte, Mr. Thorold, the author of the "Key to the Openings," I. O. Howard Taylor, J. A. Miles, Mr. Freeborough, G. Barbier, Gossip, Bree, W. T. and Jas. Pierce, W. B. Mason, R. Moffatt, J. Charleton, and many others. Nor ought we to omit to acknowledge the generosity of the Press towards us. Every paper in the world (except one) that contains a Chess column, has, at some time or other, given us a word of encouragement.

For eleven years we never wanted problems. These were always supplied to us voluntarily, and we do not think there is a composer of note in our time, whose problems have not appeared in these PAPERS. To all these composers our grateful thanks are due. Whether the idea of buying or selling problems will in the future become orthodox, we do not know, but speaking for future generations, we say that no problem that has appeared in these PAPERS has ever been paid for; perhaps a dozen games were paid for under exceptional circumstances, but beyond this I never paid one farthing. I doubt if any other paper can show a finer lot of Chess games than we have produced. The Field, as the only representative of professionalism, is endeavouring to destroy the chivalry of Chess, and make games and problems articles of barter. Beyond the problem makers there were the examiners, the foremost amongst these was again Mr. Duffy, then follow Healey, who took charge of the problems for a time, after him Abbott, whilst Menzies constantly rendered us material assistance. Mr. Andrews was always ready to give us a helping hand, and as judges of problems we have to thank Messrs. Duffy, F. H. Lewis, Andrews, F. Burden, and Pierce.

Of the other departments of the paper it is scarcely becoming on my part to speak. I received the assistance of every Whist player of note. Mr. Clay answered nearly every Piquet question that came before us, and many of the Whist questions. George Walker replied to Cribbage questions. We answered the rest; but Cavendish always gave his advice whenever we asked him--and that was very often. F. H. Lewis's opinion was always at our command. Cam, E. M. Geen, Trumps, Horace Lloyd, Q.C. (the late), Mogul, H. M. Philips, and Pembridge have been frequent and valued contributors. F. Burden gave us some of our best theoretical articles. Belaieff (in our judgment, the best Whist player that ever lived) constantly supplied us with hands, and we had Frozzles and Viator Rotundus and Susan to give us an occasional anecdote in verse. Robert Chance gave us something fresh on gambling. Machaon smote the Philistines who brawled. We had an occasional letter from Mortimer Collins. Whist hands we gave in abundance. E. J. supplied us with some good criticism thereon, and to show the ubiquity of the PAPERS Royal Robber wrote from India, one of our problem composers from Siberia, Mr. Solomon from Jamaica, and Mr. Straker from Pernambuco, and Whist questions came from America in abundance. Our knowledge of law gave us authority. We have seldom been challenged by any good judge, and when there has been a battle to be fought, the question was given in full, and the argument of each side, and we never fought for victory but to try to find the right. We have had occasional fights with Cavendish, but considering the intricacies of the questions, and the rottenness of the Code, I do not see how two independent minds could have differed less.

The highest feature of the Paper has been the production month after month of a Double Dummy Problem by Mr. F. H. Lewis. This is field unworked, but for beauty and ingenuity I do not think these problems will ever be surpassed. The solvers of Double Dummy Problems have yet to be created. We never could get the solvers to send correct solutions. If we have done nothing else for the world, we have been instrumental in inducing Mr. Lewis to compose these problems, and they will henceforth represent the highest ideal Whist extant.

Mr. F. Burden we have to thank for the bulk of the calculations made for us, also for those most valuable articles on Ecarté and Billiards, in addition to the Whist articles before referred to. To Mr. Arthur Skelton for the theatrical criticism given month by month, and we have the satisfaction to know that their merit was duly appreciated, not only by the best critics of the day, by the best actors, and by the general body of our readers.

His mind is eminently judicial. He is thoroughly read in the dramas of all ages, and possessed of a knowledge of modern plays second to none.

I cannot part with all these, our friends, without a pang. I have received so many acts of kindness from them, nay, from people of all classes that I should not be human if I did not feel grateful for their kindness, and for what they have done. A feeling which I hope to retain to the end of my days, but the best of friends must part, and I have now to bid you all farewell. If I could have found one capable and willing to keep up the Whist department, I should have done so, but failing in this respect I have to announce the end of the WESTMINSTER PAPERS.

46 Cannon Street.

CHARLES Mossop.

THE CHESS WORLD.

"The whisperings of our petty burgh.”

The departure of Professor Anderssen from amongst us edges the past month with mourning. He goes to the Silent Land accompanied by the regrets and esteem of the Chess players of all nations. As the hero of a hundred fights, and as the chief figure of the modern Chess era, his absence from the living leaves a great gap, and his presence with the dead adds an important recruit to the illustrious company with whom those that remain wage an unequal battle for fame. Nothing new of Anderssen can be said in this journal. On page 39 of Vol. 10 will be found a brief notice of his life and deeds. It is therefore only necessary for us to say here, by way of paying a just tribute to his memory, that his capacity as a Chess player was not in advance of his sterling worth as a man.

Turning our attention to the general doings of Chessdom, we naturally imitate Charity, and begin at home. There is the City Handicap, now arrived at its most interesting stage. The Fifth Round is in progress, and all who survive will be prizeholders. Messrs. Bird and Potter, who were drawn together, have played their first game, which resulted in a draw. Messrs. MacDonnell and Lord, who are fighting an extremely tough battle, have not yet emerged from the Fourth Round. Mr. Heppel, who belongs to the Fifth Class, is waiting for the conclusion of their duel, in order that he may engage the winner. We cannot help thinking that he would have a better chance with any first class player at the odds of a Rook, than with a strong third rate who would only have to concede Pawn and two moves. These are the only five competitors left in Division A, the players in which compete for the first and second prize. In Division B but three combatants remain-viz., Mr. Earl, who, having just beaten Mr. Pizzi in the fifth round, has become a prizeholder; and Messrs. Staniforth and Hunnex, who have to try conclusions together. Messrs. Earl and Pizzi are both strong fifth class players, and therefore the headway made by them is not at all surprising, but it happens that Messrs. Staniforth and Hunnex were both classified as belonging to the second or weaker section of the fourth class, and here we find them surviving, while all the strong knights have been slain, not one of them surviving in either division. A noticeable feature of this tournament is the remarkable discomfiture sustained by the third class players. Nineteen of them entered, and eighteen have died in the desert. Mr. Lord is in sight of the land where flows the milk of prizes and the honey of fame, but who knows whether the solitary champion of the doughty band will be able to uphold the traditions of his class. Year after year the City handicaps have yielded prizes to the third rates, and it would be indeed a strange portent if not one of their number should be found amongst the four victors.

On Tuesday the 11th ulto., Mr. Blackburne allowed himself to be blindfolded by six ladies after performing which operation, they made him sit down in a corner of the Ladies College, there to meditate in solitude while they devised schemes for his discomfiture. However, we are happy to state that their evil intentions were frustrated. The spells woven on five of the Chess Boards not only would not work in the way that was wished, but entrapped the weavers, which is a very old trick with spells, and so it ought to be, or how should the innocent triumph. The names of the five enemies of the guileless representative of the suffering masculine sex who sat patiently waiting for the victory, which always comes to the right minded some time or other, are as follows, viz :Mrs. Down, Miss Jamieson, Miss Rymer, Miss Burdon, and Miss H. Down. His sixth foe, Miss F. Down, has begun of late to study deeply the black art of Chess and this stood her in good stead. Mr. Blackburne had probably not expected that she would know so much of the particular variation of the Scotch Gambit, which he selected. As a matter of fact, she obtained some advantage, and was able by this means to hold her own sufficiently well against him, to make it worth his while to consent to a draw. A large assembly, comprising nearly all the stars of the Metropolitan Chess World, were present to witness the performance.

Chess at the City Club is, as everyone knows, as much a means of promoting good fellowship as of conducing to the knowledge and enjoyment of the game. It may even have been considered by some that the frequenters of Mouflet's Hotel are somewhat over-addicted to eating and making merry. However, while big tournaments go hand-in-hand with jovial suppers, it will scarcely be open to anyone to argue that a partiality for sociable enjoyment tends in any way to prevent a zest for Chess. Nor, while the City Club is able to boast of the adhesion of so many of the strongest amateurs of the Metropolis, can it be contended that a little knife-and-fork exercise is calculated to cause a diminution of the capacity for Chess playing. Whether these observations are to the point or not we have, at any rate, to record the fact that, on the 20th ult., the members of the City of London Club assembled at Mouflet's Hotel to eat their twenty-seventh annual dinner. There were about fifty of them, including Messrs. Gastineau, Murton, Duffy, H. F. Down, Blackburne, Bird, MacDonnell, Mason, Potter, and others. Mr. Boden was to have been present, but had been called away from town by a sudden engagement. The chair was occupied by the newly-elected president, Mr. A. J. Day, and his immediate predecessor Mr. Clarke was vice. There was a first-rate repast, and this having been disposed of the business of toasting commenced. We do not propose to give these in detail, especially as they are necessarily the same every year. Of course all the officials were complimented, and we may remark in passing that Mr. H. F. Down was honoured musically, nor did anyone come forward to deny that he was a jolly good fellow. The honorary members were proposed by Mr. Cubison, whose very excellent and humorous speech earned much applause. Mr. MacDonnell and Mr. Mason were the respondents, and their speeches were chronically antithetical. Not to blunt the point too much Mr. Mason would be held in much esteem by Thomas Carlyle. However, notwithstanding a golden tongue, Mr. Mason did not want for applause, and it was accorded to him enthusiastically more than once in the evening. Messrs. Duffy and Hopkins responded for the press. They both spoke well, the former pointing out, though in an extremely gentle well-balanced manner, how difficult it was to avoid being personal in Chess journalism, seeing that what would be a mere general statement in the ordinary press, was otherwise in Chess, as the persons affected by it were not a large class but a few individuals, all of them well-known. Mr. Hopkins, who had been coupled with the toast as representing the City Press, paid a tasteful compliment to the geniality which prevailed around him, and he even went so far as to say that if all the dinners he had to attend were similar to that one, the task of reporting speeches would be a pleasure instead of a burden. We only think it necessary to single out one more of the many toasts-viz., "The Visitors," proposed by Mr. Gastineau, and replied to by Mr. Wallace McKay, and Mr. Delannoy. The latter, having been good enough to send us a copy of his speech, we give it here, thinking our readers may like to know what an old French player, who preceded Staunton as a Chess writer, thinks of us.

"Mr. President, and Gentlemen,-After the fervid speeches, witty remarks, and amusing songs, which we have heard, it may appear presumptuous for me to occupy your time; nevertheless, a very natural sentiment, the sentiment of gratitude, induces me to address you a few words. The prophet king has said, "There is no joy in a foreign land; at the end of a life, a moralist has said, "there is no more happiness." Gentlemen, allow me to protest against this double affirmation. By giving me, for the third time, the title of honorary member of your Club, you have not only brought joy to me, but you have rendered me happy, for you have touched the most sensitive chords of my heart, those of self esteem and personal satisfaction. How express the emotion caused me by such a favour, a favour that raises me in your estimation, and that of my countrymen and which realises my highest aspirations. I have often asked myself what I have done to merit such a favour. My talent as a ChessPlayer is very modest, my writing very light, my character rather fantastic; still, you have conferred upon me an honour granted only to valuable qualities; it is, therefore, to your benevolence that I owe it. I should be very happy to show you here some proof of my devotion, but that is not easy. However, on my return to France, with what enthusiasm shall I relate your unlimited marks of sympathy, and the thousand charming details of your society, especially the interest manifested in me by your ex-Presidents Messrs. Manning, and Gastineau, by your Secretary, Mr. Down, and your librarian, Adamson; with what colours shall I draw the clever remarks and pleasant talk of Messrs. Bird, Macdonnell, Potter and Duffy, the prodigies of memory of Mr. Blackburne; in short, the joyful hours that I have passed amongst amateurs so amiable, so distinguished. In France, as in England, in Paris as in London, Chess-Players sometimes have meetings and banquets. They feast, they make speeches, they drink; yes, they drink; they drink well, no mistake. I shall go to these entertainments, I shall speak, and my words, inspired by the remembrance of your affection, will be the echo of my gratitude. I shall also drink, and, even at the risk of getting tipsy-do not tell any person-I shall drink a treble bumper-one to your health, Mr. President, and gentlemen; a second to the prosperity of the Club; a third to the unalterable concord of France and England. Let me now begin beforehand with a good old English Hip! hip! hurrah ! three times repeated."

The company derived much pleasure from a clever set of verses, composed specially for the occasion by Mr. Adamson, and delivered by him; from the instrumental ability of Mr. Leary, who good naturedly responded to frequent appeals for accompaniments on the pianoforte; and from the vocal efforts of Messrs. Riley, Chinn, Gastineau, Heywood, Pizzi, M. Down, and others.

The second match between Messrs. Potter and Heywood has ended in favour of the former, who won seven games to four, with nine draws. Of the four games scored by Mr. Heywood three were at the Pawn and two moves, whereas he only lost one game at these odds during the match. On the other hand, six out of the seven games won by Mr. Potter were at the Knight, at which odds he only lost one game during the entire contest. The result must be looked upon as unsatisfactory to both parties. A defeat in the ratio of three to one, when giving third-class odds, is a great set-off to what otherwise might be looked upon as something of a triumph. All things considered, it is not at all certain that Mr. Heywood does not come best out of the fray. Everyone knows that he is not a knight player, and therefore his losses, when acting in that character, may not be considered to weigh much against the fact that he has been successful when receiving the legitimate odds to which he would be entitled in a handicap. However, style has all to do with these matters, and a good third-class player is often less able than a strong fourth-rate to receive successfully the odds of a Knight.

The following entries have been made for the Tournament at Mephisto's Rooms, which, as we announced last month, is to be contested between late members of the West End Chess Club, viz. :— Messrs. Blackburne, Potter, Minchin, Eschwege, Lord, Block, Vyse, Botterill, Gumpel, Busse, and Meyer. We had reason to believe last month that a general meeting of the surviving members of the defunct Association would be called to confirm the arrangements which have been made between the ex-committee and the proprietor of Mephisto's rooms. This intention appears to have been abandoned, though for what reason does not appear. We are still of opinion that such a meeting should have been called, and consider that the ex-committee, in failing to take that course, not only acted beyond their right, but incurred some very obvious risks. However, dead horses need not be whipped. All the late members have had notice of the arrangements that have been made, and if none of them have entered any protest, perhaps the general silence may be looked upon as an expression of assent upon the part of the parties mostly interested. If they see no objection, we, who have disapproved not of what has been done, but of the way in which it has been done, need not concern ourselves further with the matter. Returning to the tourney itself, we are not in possession of any details as to what rules are to be proposed. If, as we are given to understand, the American system, viz., each playing with each be adopted, some guarantee, or at any rate some sufficient pledge, should be exacted from each competitor, binding him to play out all his games irrespective of his chance of obtaining a prize. It is too common for the combatants in such contests to retire when their prize-winning chances have vanished, and great injustice is often occasioned by this very mean practice.

On the 15th ultimo, the members of the Bermondsey Chess Club entertained themselves together with Messrs. MacDonnell, Potter, and other guests at a dinner, which took place at the Horse Shoe, Blackman Street, Southwark. The President, Mr. T. G. Beardsell, was in the chair; and the Vice-President, Mr. Cooper, was visa-vis. After an excellent repast, there were toasts of "The Chess Press," responded to by Mr. MacDonnell ; "The Honorary Members," for whom Mr. Potter replied; "The Bermondsey Chess Club," coupled with the name of Mr. Powell; and " The Old Members," for whom Mr. Monck was called upon to speak. The President, VicePresident, Mr. Barker, the Honorary Secretary, and The Visitors, were also toasted. The proceedings were diversified by several good songs, and there were also instrumental performances, together with a capitally delivered recitation. For these pleasant interludes the guests were indebted to Messrs. Duffield, Cooper, Moorcroft, Powell, Monck, Smith and others.

Once upon a time the Working Men's Club and Institute Union offered a Chess trophy for competition amongst the various clubs affiliated to it. Years have rolled by since the offer was published, and therefore we forget of what the prize consisted, but rather imagine it was a bronze statuette, or something of that kind. It was to become the property of whichever club should win it thrice successively. This may seem to be a fair if somewhat severe condition, but a further very peculiar stipulation was annexed, viz. that no player winning it for his club once should ever be allowed to compete for it again. Mr. Beardsell, playing for the Bermondsey club, was the victor one year and Mr. Stevens another. During the last two competitions fortune has, in the persons of Messrs. Pfahl and Cohen, favoured the Jewish Chess Club, so that the trophy is now in danger, especially as Mr. Mocatta is the Jewish Champion this year. However, he is not be allowed a walk over, for Mr. Block has been selected by the Bermondsey Club to dispute the prize with him. We expect to see a tough battle as the result of their encounter. Mr. Mocatta, as our readers know, is a very skilful amateur, and in times gone by he used to rank as a good second class player. Mr. Block is a capable third rate, and has the advantage of having attained his degree in the modern school. His proficiency in latter day discoveries may make up for any slight inferiority of power, if there be any, and there should be we think if Mr. Mocatta retains his former strength. We have now to see whether the Institute Union, notwithstanding their ingenious precautions to the contrary, have to surrender the trophy, or whether Mr. Block will succeed in handing it down to the next generation, for that we imagine is what his victory would

amount to.

From particulars furnished us by Mr. Thompson, the zealous Honorary Secretary of the Athenæum Chess Club, we learn that Mr. Blackburne will, on Monday next the 17th instant, play blindfold and simultaneously against eight members of that Association. The performance will take place in the large Concert Hall of the Athenæum, Camden Road, Holloway, and will commence at 6.30 p.m. precisely. Those of our metropolitan