began to play with those of his schoolfellows who, like himself, understood the rudiments. It would appear that his love of Chess led him at times into ways that were not approved of by his masters. He was not satisfied with playing out of school, but invented an ingenious method of carrying on a correspondence game during the hours of study with a youth of similar tendencies occupying a distant seat, viz., by making use of the kindness of the schoolfellows occupying the intermediate benches to pass the moves. Worse conduct than this he was even at times guilty of, for he would act the truant to play at Chess with boys belonging to other schools, truants we presume like himself. At home his industry was divided between the school exercises and works upon Chess, but whether or not it was an equal division we are not told, and cannot but feel some doubts upon the subject. Among the books thus studied by him may be singled out the writings of Hirschel (translation of Greco's works), Allgaier and Philidor. As first class scholar, he found opportunities of playing with older practitioners of the game in Breslau, and succeeded in promoting himself over their shoulders, until he met with a private tutor named Liebricht, an amateur of much skill and inventiveness, who was for a long time too much for his youthful opponent. Notwithstanding what Herr Schallopp calls all these drawbacks, young Anderssen made praiseworthy progress in his scholastic pursuits, and gave evidence "that the mind which can master the game of Chess with all its depths and finesse has still sufficient room left for all other sciences," by which we suppose the enthusiastic editor means that Chess is a science—a proposition which we by no means admit. Like Draughts, it is one of the scientific games, and among them is no doubt entitled to the highest place, honour quite sufficient, and if loftier pretensions are advanced men of common sense can but smile at claims so absurd. We stay to make this comment, for some confusion seems to prevail upon the subject, and there would appear to be an idea afloat that Chess is on a par with astronomy, geology, and the other sciences. Returning to Anderssen we find that he was very far from being so enslaved by the game he loved as to allow it to do him any real injury. Approached the time of the University examinations, and he put his Chessmen on one side in order to apply himself more assiduously to the necessary studies. After having honourably passed his examination, Anderssen, who was then eighteen years of age, devoted himself to philosophy and mathematics, and reasonably enough resumed his Chess-play. He was accustomed for this purpose to go to a coffee-house called the "Nova," and there he managed to get together a number of amateurs young and old. It was in this "Nova" Club that Anderssen played five games with Bledow, and that expert gave him an awful thrashing-winning, in fact, all the games except one, which was drawn. He also tried his skill once against Lowenthal, and repeatedly against Von der Lasa, with less unsatisfactory results, but nevertheless these contests-as he himself states-showed him how much he had still to learn to become a master of Chess. To attain this object he now applied himself to the study of the works of Walker, Lewis, and Labourdonnais, more especially the fifty games between Labourdonnais and MacDonnell, annotated by Lewis and translated into German by Bledow, but he attributes his improvement chiefly to a match he commenced with the strongest members of the "Nova" Club, on condition that he was neither to lose nor draw a single game. We can easily understand that such a contest would tend to form habits of accuracy, foresight, concentration, and endurance. In short, Anderssen owed his success in Chess neither to luck nor untaught genius, nor to any other of the easy methods for which the slothful pine. Natural aptitude is, of course, to be assumed in his case, and hard work did the rest. Whether the game was worth the candle is a question we should not think of raising with respect to Anderssen, for he, at any rate, did not allow himself to sink into a mere Chess player; most useless of human beings, to our minds, are all such, and the easiest to be dispensed with. This brings us to another instance of that highly praiseworthy self-control which Anderssen knew how to exercise whenever he deemed it necessary, namely, a second break in his Chess play, which took place anent the Government examination of 1847, he being then 29 years of age. After having passed this he commenced his probationary year at the Friedrich College, and thereupon obtained salaried employment, but afterwards was induced by the bad prospects of advancement to accept a lucrative situation as private teacher, in Gross-Machim, near Stolf. This change also enabled him to make several visits to Berlin, for the purpose of trying his strength against the Chess players there. His success in these encounters led to the editorship of the Chess Journal being confided to him, and to his being selected by the Berlin Club to represent them in response to Staunton's invitation to all Chess celebrities to take part in the tourney intended to be held in connection with the Great Exhibition of 1851. In consequence of this, Anderssen gave up in the Easter of that year his post of private teacher, which had necessitated his living on the Pomeranian coast, and went to Berlin, where he had two or three months' time to practice up. The occasion was very favourable, for not only was there Dufresne, then at the height of his strength, but Falkbeer had arrived in Berlin to try his prowess against the Chess players of that metropolis. We should have seen cause for grave censure in Anderssen had he given up at this time a valuable and important engagement in order to take part in a Chess tourney, but a situation as private teacher he might fairly hope to procure again when requisite, and indeed might reasonably expect that his Chess friends would be able to assist him to that extent; nevertheless, we cannot but feel that this was a critical period in the life of Anderssen, and that he was in danger of taking to Chess as a profession, in which case the halo of respect and honour that surrounds him in his declining years would, to say the least of it, be some what dimmed. However, in June, 1851, Anderssen came to London. and what he did there every one knows. He returned to his native town of Breslau in 1852, and there obtained a permanent sphere of usefulness as teacher of German and mathematics at the Friedrich College (which same appointment we believe he has ever since held), and in 1856 he received the title of Professor in acknowledgment of his practical thoroughness in those branches of education. We have given these details in extenso because we think they will be as interesting to our readers as they redound to the credit of Anderssen. His later Chess career is, of course, dealt with in the biography, but we do not consider it necessary to recapitulate the well-known facts thereof. Herr Schallopp seems to think that Anderssen's residence at Breslau, and consequent want of good practice, had much to do with his defeat by Morphy. The idea is excusable enough in a compatriot, and, moreover, is not destitute of a certain amount of plausibility. It may be conceded that, had Anderssen had the fine practice which preceded his 1851 triumphs, he would have made a better fight. The biographical sketch closes with the hope, which the Editor is convinced "will find a hearty response from all German Chess players, that Anderssen may be spared many a long year to witness the spread of Chess in Germany which originated in his victories." We can assure Herr Schallopp that no monopoly in making such response will be permitted to the players of Germany. That Anderssen's lease of life may be extended for a long time yet in prosperity and mellowness, is the united wish of Chessdom. We have left ourselves with altogether insufficient space for properly noticing the remaining contents of this extremely well edited volume. There are detailed accounts of the various Provincial Chess Congresses of Germany. There is also a full report of the Anderssen festival and its tourneys, together with the various speeches, not unaccompanied by poetry, which formed part of the business of presenting to Anderssen a token of esteem; this consisting of a column of black marble surrounded with leaves of oak in gold and silver, the column being surmounted by the Genius of Chess-a female figure in silver, holding a Chessboard in one hand, and a gold wreath of laurel in the other hand. The pedestal was of polished variegated marble ornamented with appropriate inscriptions. There were hosts of congr ulatory addresses accompanied by presents, and altogether Anderssen must have felt that it was quite a day of days for him. The transactions likewise supply us with a treatise in the shape of a letter, written by Von der Lasa, for the occasion, shewing the influence of Anderssen upon Chess, and going exhaustively into the rise and fall of the various openings and modes of play in modern times. We need not reproduce that part of the volume which deals with the Chess fights at the Leipsic Congress, because the details thereof were published in this and other journals at the time. The chief features of interest were the Master Tourney and the Match between Anderssen and L. Paulsen. The first prize in the former contest, it will be remembered, was won by L. Paulsen with a score of nine games, Anderssen and Zukertort tying for second honours with eight and a half games each. The two latter played to decide the question of precedence and Anderssen won the game, he thus gaining the second prize and Zukertort taking the third. Sixty-seven games were fought in this tournament. We have examined a number of them and find ourselves admiring the play of L. Paulsen more that that of any other competitor. His style has depth, strength, and bottom, and is characterised by much patience. Occasionally he seems to be what may be called dodgy, and there is also something of a monotony observable. Anderssen plays in that brisk, varied, and ingenious manner that one would expect from him. He flies readily from manoeuvre to manoeuvre, and is ready with all kinds of surprises in the shape of unlooked for attacks. For all that, the impression left on our minds after going through his games, and we examined them all, is not one of complete satisfaction. We seemed to notice a looseness of style, and even in some instances, a want of power, this contrasting strangely with the vigorous impetuosity displayed by him at other times, and notably in the deciding game with Zukertort. However, our necessarily hasty survey is by no means to be relied upon, and with time for a careful analysis, it is possible that we should form a different opinion. A game we very much admired of his was with Dr. Göring. He showed some fine play therein, and just as he had arrived within apparent reach of fruition his victory was snatched away from him. He lost the game partly through a singular fluke of the position and partly through a hasty move, brought about by being taken unawares. Had he won this game he would have taken first prize, for his score would have been 91, a fact which certainly tends to cast some doubt upon the correctness of our judgment as above expressed. As to Zukertort, such of his games as we went through, did not please us very much, but we had only time to examine a few of them. Those we missed may, and in fact must, have been much better, having regard to the score he made. We approached the games in the Anderssen and Paulsen match with a large amount of expectant respect, but after going through them we can only consider the time spent in their examination as entirely wasted. These games, could they be considered as serious contests, would necessarily have a lowering effect upon the reputations of the players, but we imagine they must be looked upon as belonging to the genus "Larky.” We must confess to having but little sympathy with that kind of ponderous humour. However, out of the hotchpotch of eccentricity and blundering we would extract Game 5 as one well played by Paulsen and noticeable also for a novelty which he introduces in the Scotch Gambit, i.e.- -1 P to K 4, P to K 4; 2 Kt to K B 3, Kt to Q B 3 ; 3 P to Q 4, P takes P; 4 Kt takes P, B to B 4; 5 B to K 3, Q to B 3; 6 P to QB 3, K Kt to K 2. Here it has been usual for White to play 7 B to K 2, a move introduced by Paulsen himself, but the weakness of that continuation was shown when it was adopted by Mr. Potter in his match with Herr Zukertort. In the game above referred to, Paulsen played 7 B to Q Kt 5, a move which seems well worthy of being taken into consideration. If as good as it seems the attack in that variation of the Scotch Gambit becomes entirely rehabilitated. As our readers may feel an interest in knowing what openings are most in fashion at present among the strong players of Germany we have taken the trouble on their behalf to make a table of same. In the Master Tourney we find that the number of games played in the Ruy Lopez opening were, 12; Four Knights, 10; French 8; Vienna, 5; Scotch Gambit, 4: Two Knights' attack, 4; Bishops' Gambit, 4; Evans' Gambit, 3; Queen's Gambit Declined, 3; Sicilian, 3; Giuoco Piano, 2; English, 2; and Queen's Pawn Opening, Fianchetto di Donna, King's Gambit declined, Double Fianchetto, Philidor, and Evans declined, 1 game each; there being as will be observed, probably with surprise, not a single Allgaier. In conclusion we have only to say that Herr Schallopp deserves the highest praise for the very able manner in which he has edited this book. OUR PROBLEMS REVIEWED. No. 1015.-"The main pivot of action merely reproduces the hackneyed theme of Healey's Bristol three mover, and can scarcely therefore puzzle solvers of any experience. There is, however, undeniable beauty in some of the variations, but I think that the White Rat QR 4 might, by a slight modification, have been dispensed with," H. J. C. A.—“ A fair problem, containing some very neat play," G. F. Onions.-"Very good,' H. B.-"A well-constructed problem; of course the idea of getting the R out of the way has been worked by other composers, but if the problems are good in other respects (and I think this is) that is little against it. There are some pretty variations, for instance, the defence B to KB 7, White replying with Q takes Kt, &c., there is a dual to the defence Kt to Kt 7. White can If either play R to Kt sq ch, or Kt to K 3 ch. The first move of the solution certainly wants looking for," Grandage." A very good problem, although the idea. approaches somewhat closely to Healey's celebrated threemover, the ultimate dual on the second move is undeserving of censure," Hanover." A fair problem, but easy; the construction is like that of a two-mover. Black moves B or Kt, he is mated in three. The only difficulty is if Kt moves to B 7. he can then take Ŕ. Therefore play this R to Kt 8," R. W. Johnson." A very good problem indeed, pretty, difficult, and original," J. E. Vernon.-"Whatever beauty there may be in this problem it can hardly be credited to its sender, as the movements of both the R and Q are very familiar," J. Jordan. No. 1016.-" Beyond the average of two-move Problems, and without a dual," Grandage.-" Evident that the Bishop must move to be of any service,” H.B.— "A simple problem on the block system, the only pieces not blocked being Black R and P. The White B is utterly useless where it is, therefore use it to block the Fawn, and force a passage through the R," R. W. Johnson. -"All the Black men are under surveillance except the KR and R P. The latter has a very here stands a post' aspect, pointing suggestively to the solution," H.J. C. A.-"This is not a particularly good problem, the Black pieces are all put into such helpless positions, with the exception of the R P, that stopping its progress and forcing Black to play one or other of his other pieces is too_suggestive," John Davidson.-"An easy block," G. F. Onions." A good problem, not very difficult," J. E. Vernon." A pleasing problem free from duals, but scarcely up to Tourney merit," Hanover.-"Will pass muster as a fair two-mover," J. Jordan. No. 1017.-" A two-mover, with a forced move added," H. B.-"Very little more than an average two-er with a It commonplace check added. The weakest of the set," H.J.C.A.-"Too patent,on account of the check threatened by the Black Queen," G. F. Onions." This problem appears to be really a two-mover, with a check added, after which it has all the appearance of a two-mover. is evident that White has no time to spare in preparatory moves, as Black threatens a continuous check by moving his P.," R. W. Johnson." This is a fairly good problem, but considerably easier to solve than the other threemover in the same set. And the White having to give check first move, also detracts from its merits," John Davidson." This problem is not easy of solution, decidedly the best of the three, and one that does credit to the composer," G. H. Mainwaring." This problem calls for no special mention, the solution commencing with a check, and the mate being easily found," Grandage."A clever problem, but not very difficult nor pretty," J. E. Vernon. "Various duals in the third move in this variation. This is a very poor problem; a three-mover commencing with a check should be entirely free of dual mates," Hanover." In a problem competing for a prize I should look for Black's threatened check to be frustrated in a more ingenious manner than White here adopts. To begin with a check must be detrimental to a three-move problem," J. Jordan. "No. 1018.-"Two movers on this semi-block plan seldom come up to tourney form. This, though pretty, is no exception to the rule," H. J. C. A.—“A problem in which the first move plays itself, so to speak, otherwise the variations are neat and well put together." Grandage." A very good problem; first move by no means obvious," J. E. Vernon.-"Is evidently a twomover on the usual block system. The only pieces without a purpose being the two Rooks, which manage the business. This is about the easiest two-mover I have seen," R. W. Johnson.-"This problem is either misprinted or is radically incorrect, there being at least three initial moves for mate in three moves. I therefore expect it is intended as a two-mover, and solve it by R to Q Kt 7. As a two-mover this is a meritorious composition, free from duals," Hanover." Very good," J. Jordan. No. 1019."Fair problem as regards construction, but easy," R. W. Johnson.-" Very pretty indeed, but too obvious," H. J. C. A.-"The solution very easy. The sacrifices of the R and Kt are perhaps as good as such sacrifices usually are, but that is saying little," Grandage." This is an extremely good problem; and though the white P at QB 4, is somewhat suggestive, I found it a very difficult one to solve," John Davidson.-"A good problem though awkwardly constructed, there are no duals," Hanover." An excellent problem and one that took me a long time to solve, the composition reflects great credit on the author," G. H. Mainwaring." Very good and pretty," J. Vernon.-" Very good," H. B.-"Very good. The Qis paraded up and down considerably, and it is then discovered that she really does not begin at all," J. Jordan. No. 1020.-"The block after White's 2nd move is beautiful, but it is a pity the first move is so readily guessed. The problem should either have been more subtly opened or else left as a two-mover," H. J. C. A.—“It is an excellent quality in a problem for the Black King to have liberty of action, but when that liberty at once suggests the way to the solution, it should certainly be avoided. In this position the B K can move to his Q 5th, and this fact at once causes White to play R to Q5, threatening mate on the move; this, on examination, turns out to be the right move, and as such is a decided weakness, and mars what otherwise might have made a good problem,” Grandage.—“Good, but surely there are more pieces on the board than necessary?" J. E. Vernon." I feel assured the composer has done himself an injustice in not searching deeper into this position to either find or manufacture a less arbitrary first move than the one he employs. He has, in my opinion, spoiled a most beautiful two-mover," J. Jordan. No. 1021.-"Exceedingly good," H. B.—“ Another block. The only Black piece that can move without allowing mate is the B. Therefore provide a mate if B moves, R. W. Johnson.-"A very good problem indeed," J. E. Vernon.-" Another semi-block, but preferable to its predecessors on account of the freedom enjoyed by the Black King," H. J. C. A.-" Very good! an exception to the general run of problems, where the King moves first," G. F. Onions." This problem is commonplace, very," Grandage." This is a thoroughly good little two-mover, neatly constructed, and without a needless piece on the board," John Davidson.—“ A very good problem, far better than the other two in this number. No duals," Hanover.-" Only weak," J. Jordan. No. 1022.-"The first move in the Problem is very pretty, but how about its originality? There is one by Mr. Pierce, another by Mr. Ormond, in which the B from corner to corner makes a similar beautiful flight, then the after moves in this Problem are very feeble, and who can say anything favourable of its construction?" Grandage.-" A fair Problem of the puzzle kind," R. W. Johnson." The main idea is very stale, and there is nothing in the problem to compensate for this drawback,” H. J. C. A.-"A good idea. If this had been as difficult to solve as it is good in conception, it would be bad to beat."-G. F. Onions. "An admirable problem, the only drawback being the almost (?) impossibility of Black's Pawns being so placed."-J. E. Vernon. "A masterly problem this, and very difficult of solution; it took me more time to solve than I like to say. The author is evidently a master hand at composition.”—G. H. Mainwaring. 'Very neat."-H. B.-.“ Our mutual friend does not improve in his old age. In point of fact he degenerates lamentably," J. Jordan. 66 No. 1023. Although consisting principally of checks, the solution is very pleasing, and the problem, I think, much the best of the set," H. J. C. A.-"I do not like the construction of this problem, and its solution is simple; it is, however, thoroughly sound in every direction,' Hanover." This is an extremely difficult and well-constructed problem, and though the solution begins with a check, and is (in what I take to be the principal variation) continued by the sacrifice of the R ch, yet the way to mate is so well hidden, that, in many instances the first nove will be tried and given up, not only once, but twice, before the pleasure of discovery is realised, and then the student will express no surprise at not finding the solution before. The minor variations are also good-there is also an equality of force, which is a thing to be marked," Grandage." A very good and difficult problem," J. E. Vernon.-"A poor four-mover, entirely wanting in point," Hanover.- Like the last-good, but not difficult," G. F. Onions.-"Too easy for a tourney problem. White must begin to check at once, as there is no possibility of attacking Black's QB 5 if the R moves," R. W. Johnson. "I consider this problem the most difficult one I ever attempted to solve. From the equality of forces engaged it alone is remarkable, and the variations are really so beautiful that I very much doubt if this problem can be approached in construction, although we cannot say what others will follow. I think these compositions will gain the prize," G. H. Mainwaring.-"A problem that contains some really good Chess play, and is entirely out of place with its two companions," J. Jordan. 666 REMARKS ON THE SETS. "Femme Suis rien ne puis.-This is the best set of the three, containing the best three-mover, viz., 1015, but I do not think it will earn tourney honours."Hanover. "Hardly up to tourney standard," G. F. Onions." Only mediocre upon the whole, No. 1015, in spite of serious drawbacks, being much above its companions. Sparkles alluringly, but lacks depth," H. J. C. A.-" Of the three sets in the May number of THE WESTMINSTER PAPERS I consider No. 1015 the best three-mover, 1016 the best two-mover," Grandage. "Under ordinary circumstances any of these compositions would claim the merit of being classed as tolerably good problems, but in the present case their author will scarcely expect any substantial reward from such praise," J. Jordan. Nec Male notus Eques.-This is an unfortunate set, and No. 1018 being a fair two-mover, although published as a three-mover, and No. 1020 being impossible either in two or three moves." Hanover. A very good set, especially so in construction," G. J. Onions. Though not remarkable for either depth of design or difficulty of solution, this set ranks high above the average," J. Jordan. Les Morts Vont Vite.-This set contains but one meritorious problem, viz., No. 1021, and although all three problems are correct, I do not expect a prize will be awarded to the set, for if so, the others must be poor indeed," Hanover. "Pretty enough, but neither new nor abstruse," H. J. C. A.-"I should consider any set ruined that 1022 formed part of," J. Jordan. No. 1023." The best problem of all," Grandage. [We regret that a mistake occurred in stating the conditions of problem No. 1018 and of No. 1020. The conditions of these problems were, in fact, transposed, No. 1018 being a two-move, and No. 1020 a three-move problem. The majority of our reviewers saw through the error, and have sent correct solutions, but we shall receive solutions and reviews of these two problems up to the 25th instant for publication in our next number.EDITOR WESTMINSTER PAPERS]. |