When the congress resumed on Monday, July 13th, Elder's withdrawal from the tournament was announced, so only three games were contested, on the sixth day of play. One these being the conclusion of the adjourned first game between Congdon and Judd. It was during this game that an incident occured that threatened the troubled tournament with a bad end.
"During the game an altercation arose between the players, in which Mr. Judd showed a temper which is ill-becoming so skilled a disciple of chess. His conduct was so at variance with good breeding and gentlemanly conduct that Gen. Congdon threatens to withdraw from the tournament unless the congress reprimands the party from St. Louis. The exact nature of the unfortunate occurrence is not known, as every one of the other gentleman players disclaimed all knowledge of it. It is said, however, that this not the first time that Mr. Judd has displayed an ungovernable temper. He should study this characteristic of his temperament, and at once checkmate it by a bold determined effort."
Chicago Times; July 14, 1874 p.3
The Tribune in its coverage of the days doing of the congress makes no mention of the incident; only reporting Judd won the game. Meanwhile, Hosmer won his first game with Perrin. They began their second game, which was left unfinished at end of days play, to resumed the next day.
Elder's withdrawal adversely affected Bock, who had hoped that Elder could win or at least draw a game against Mackenzie and/or Hosmer. Bock playing in ill health, now considered withdrawing from the tournament himself.
Both paper printed Bock's win over Perrin, from the fifth day of the congress.
As the tournament limped toward its conclusion, only two games were played on Tuesday, July 14th. The adjourned game between Hosmer and Perrin, which was won by Hosmer. Judd and Congdon played their second game, Judd being the victor. Meanwhile, Frederick Bock considers his next step.
"...Mr. Bock remains undecided as to his course of action. If he should decline to continue the contest it is most probable that the first prize will be taken by the present champion of the United States, Capt. Mackenzie, of New York, and that H. Hosmer, of Chicago, will repeat triumph of 1871 and carry away second prize. The third prize will undoubtedly be taken by Max Judd, of St. Louis...."
Chicago Daily Tribune; July 15, 1874 p.3
Neither newspaper offered coverage of the penultimate day of the congress, so we will turn to the tournament book for coverage of the days events.
"On Wednesday, July 15th, Perrin lost one game to Judd,Bock two games to Mackenzie. Bock, who had been playing under many disadvantages, and unable from ill health to continue, resigned his game[s] with Hosmer...."
The Third American Chess Congress: Chicago 1874, p.22
The congress came to a close on Thursday, July 16th, last games were played, and later in the evening prizes were to be awarded. The results of the last games played, Congdon lost his two games to Hosmer, and resigned without contest his games with Mackenzie. Judd won the second game of his match with Perrin.
With the games done, there was now the matter of electing officers of for the, National Chess Association and the awarding of the prizes.
"The last meeting of the Congress was held yesterday evening in the chess-room of the Chicago Club, at which the first business was the election of officers for the ensuing year , which resulted as follows; James A. Congdon, of Philadelphia, President; W. W. Curran, Chicago, First Vice-President; D. M. Martinez, Texas, Second Vice-President; J. Roberts, Philadelphia, Secretary, J. G. Whiteman, Philadelphia, Treasure. On the motion of Gen. Congdon, it was then resolved that the next tournament be held in Philadelphia during the progress of the Centennial celebration. The Congress then on motion adjourned, and Mr. Curran, President of the Chicago Chess Club, took the chair, in order to present the successful competitors the prizes which they had won. These consisted of the first prize of $225 to Capt. Mackenzie, and the second of $150 to Mr. Hosmer, the third prize of $75 have been given previously to Mr. Judd in order to enable him to reach home by an early train."
Chicago Daily Tribune; July 17, 1874 p.3
So not even at the award ceremony were all the prize winners present, but even with illness, withdrawals and fits of temper, the congress came somewhat successful conclusion. We will give the last word, to the tournament book of the congress:
"Capt. McKenzie, on behalf of the visitors, tendered their acknowledgments of the many courtesies received during their visit, and the Congress adjourned sine die,"
The Third American Chess Congress: Chicago 1874 p,25
Bibliography- The Second, Third and Fourth American Chess Congress: Cleveland 1871, Chicago 1874, Philadelphia 1876..Edition Olms, Zurich, 1985.
Less than three years after the "Great Chicago Fire", which devastated a large part of the city, the Chicago Chess club decided to take upon itself the task of hosting the Third American Chess Congress. A brief notice in the Chicago Tribune of May 9,noted that at a meeting the prior evening the club resolved:
"That the Chicago club cordially favors the holding of a Chess Congress in Chicago during the coming summer and pledges a welcome to all visitors who may attend and its best efforts to render the meeting a success."
(Chicago Daily Tribune: 9 May 1874)
It was proposed to hold the Congress during the month of July, beginning the 7th and ending on the 20th or shortly thereafter, it was also hoped for that a minor tournament and a problem tournament would be held in conjunction with the grand tournament.
The first meeting of the Congress took place on the afternoon of July 6th at 114 East Madison street, the Tribune reporting that day that; "Nothing serious, however will be done until to-morrow, this afternoon being devoted to appointing committees, choosing partners and making other necessary arrangements."
The eight contestants were: George Henry Mackenzie Henry Hosmer Max Judd Frederick Perrin Frederick Bock Frederick Elder James Congdon Hiram Kennicott
On July 7th, the Tribune continued its coverage, with a brief history of the two previous congresses, a listing of the players, the prizes, and the pairing for the next day, the first day of over the board combat. Mackenzie would face Judd, Hosmer would face Kennicott, it would be Bock against Elder, and Perrin against Congdon. The games would start at 9am and continue til 6pm, with a "suitable" break for dinner.
The Chicago Times began its coverage ,on July 8th, of the first day of play of the tournament , reporting that:
"The Chicago Chess club, recognizing the pressing want of American chess and fully sensible of the fact that the holding of a great national meeting is the first and chief step to be taken to supply that want, have undertaken the management of a congress, which was successfully inaugurated yesterday evening, at their club rooms.... The number of first class players in attendance is not however, so great as was anticipated. The committee were confident that at least the players enter the list, but there are but eight present. The most prominent absent one is Galbaith[sic] of Mississippi."
"There were eight games indulged in yesterday, two of which are yet pending. Under the rules each player has to play two games with every contestant, consequently there will be in all 56 games before the congress is concluded.The games won yesterday were; Capt. Mackenzie of New York one from Max Judd, St. Louis; Hosmer of Chicago, two from Kennicott, of Dunston; Congdon of Philadelphia, one from Perrin, of New York, and Fred Bock, of Chicago, one from Elder, of Detroit. Capt. Mackenzie and Max Judd played one drawn game, which, but for an unfortunate oversight, would have resulted in favor of the western boy. Messrs. Congdon and Perrin have a game now pending, as have Messrs. Bock and Elder."
Both the Tribune and Times published Mackenzie's win with black over Judd. The Tribune in its coverage adding that;
" The games played thus far throw very little light on the result of the tournament, though it is conceded that Capt. Mackenzie will, doubtless, win the the first prize."
Chicago Daily Tribune; July 8, 1874 p.3
The second day of play, seem to have drawn a larger crowd of on-lookers, then on the first day, as the Times reported in its July 9th issue, "...at times considerable excitement prevailed. Among the visitors were many of the better class of citizens, some of whom are chess-players of no mean skill."
As for the games themselves, Capt. Mackenzie won his two games with Kennicott. Bock and Elder resumed their adjourned game from the previous day, which resulted in a draw. Bock then played Congdon in the first game of their match, which also ended in a draw. Meantime Elder and Perrin contested their match each winning a game with the white pieces. Judd with black won his game with Hosmer. As the Times reported:
"This was a hard fought battle, the players being engaged no less than seven and a half hours. It was a stubbornly contested from beginning to end, but with his 57th move, the St. Louis gentleman so placed his pieces that the president of the Chicago club found himself checkmated."
Chicago Times; July 9, 1974 p.5
Despite the report of the Times, the Hosmer - Judd game did not end in a checkmate, but with Hosmer resigning after Judd's 56th move, the tournament book also has the game lasting 9 hours. The Times in its coverage printed the score of the drawn Bock - Elder game.
The score of the Judd - Hosmer contest follows;
"Yesterday was the third day of the American Chess Congress, and from the heavy showers of the previous night the temperatures was found much pleasanter than on the first days, when the heat was extreme oppressive."
Chicago Daily Tribune; July 10, 1874 p.3
Though, the third day was troubled by illness and the absence of Kennicott.. Mackenzie won both his games against Perrin." In both contests the captain made a quick sharp fight, and almost before Mr. Perrin had got well settled in his chair he had lost the game."(a)
Hosmerand Judd played their second game, Hosmer with the black pieces winning. Bock won his game with Congdon in unusual circumstances. Elder who was to face Kennicott, but Kennicott being absent, Edler had to remain idle.
" The absence of Mr. Kennicott, of Dunston was greatly felt,and it is feared sickness kept him from the city. Early in the forenoon Mr. Bock and Gen. Congdon commenced a game; but the sudden sickness of the former necessitated its temporary postponement, after a few opening moves had been made. Later in the day, Mr. Bock felt better and resumed the contest, which he finally won, after a hard fought and skillfully conducted battle. Under the circumstances [it] was a most creditable victory."
Chicago Times; July 10, 1874 p.3
Both papers published the score of the second Perrin - Congdon game.
" Yesterday the fourth day of the third American Chess Congress, and the events which characterized it were most certainly among the most interesting of the meeting thus far. The attendance was very large, and the room, was continually crowded with an eager and excited throng of gentleman, all canvassing the situations of the games, and frequently making far more noise than was at all agreeable to the players"
Chicago Daily Tribune: July 11, 1874 p.5
Though, not everyone in the city found the ongoing Congress quite so interesting, as a short piece in the same day's Tribune on page six, makes clear.
"The excitement in the city this month is a Chess Congress. The fact is eloquent. It tells more forcibly than words can of the dull devil which has entered into and possessed the world of amusements."
As for the games, themselves, Kennicott again failed to make an appearance, it was feared, he would withdraw from the congress.The game between, Bock and Judd , after five and a half hours of play, ended in a draw. Edler won the his first game with Gen. Congdon, they then commenced their second game, which was at the end of the day's play, the result was still pending. Perrin with the nonappearance of Kennicott had the bye. But, the what proved to be highlight of the day's play, were the two games to be played between Capt. Mackenzie and the "Chicago gentleman", Henry Hosmer.
"Several fine games were played in the tournament, the first one between Capt. Mackenzie of New York, champion of America, and Mr. Hosmer of this city being a most remarkable one. They had a hard fight of it for four hours, and the final result was in favor of the Chicago gentleman. It was by all odds the best game thus far played in the tournament."
Chicago Times; July 11, 1874 p.4
The Chicago Times printed the score of this game, the Chicago Tribune printed the score of their second game in which Capt. Mackenzie was the winner.
" The second game between these two gentlemen resulted in favor of the captain. Mr. Hosmer was quite tired out when the contest commenced , and it is no wonder that he made a slip, lost a piece he should of retained, and was finally compelled to resign."
Chicago Times; July 11, 1874 p.4
The Tribune began its report of the fifth day of the congress proceedings, with the news of the official withdrawal of Kennicott from the tournament.
"Mr. Kennicott came into town and owning to the pressure of other business engagements he announced his withdrawal from the tournament. this action on his part made quite a change in the score, as the games heretofore won of him by Messrs. Mackenzie and Hosmer do not count for them, but are canceled, as Mr. Kennicott is considered out of the best players."
Chicago Daily Tribune: July 12, 1874 p.13
The days play began with resumption of Bock - Judd second game. Judd won after an unsound sacrifice by Bock. And then about noon, Bock faced Perrin, Bock winning both games in short order. Congdon and Judd began the match but at the end of the day's play their first game was left unfinished, to resumed at a later date. Earlier in the day, Congdon and Elder finished their second game, which ended in Elders favor. Elder was then to face Capt. Mackenzie, but then, illness intervened.
"During the day Mr. Elder of Detroit received news of the sudden illness of his wife. This unfitted him for play, and the game between him and Capt. Mackenzie was postponed till Monday."
Chicago Times: July 12, 1874 p. 7
Both newspapers printed Elder's win over Perrin, from the second day of the congress.
With the withdrawal of Kennicott, and thechange of scores brought about by his withdrawal, Frederick Bock found himself on top of leader board, though he had yet to play both Mackenzie and Hosmer.
The twelfth being a Sunday, it was an idle day for the Congress, play would resume early Monday morning.
In the interim of the withdrawal of Paul Morphy from chess to the ascension of Harry Nelson Pillsbury, American chess, and in particular the New York chess, which is the subject of the book under review, was dominated by two adopted Americans the Scotsman Captain George Henry Mackenzie and Irishman James Mason. Mackenzie, who came to this country in 1863, and served with the Union forces, made his home in New York after the Civil War. Mason, we assume will shall meet later in the series.
Mackenzie, Mason & Co. promises to be the most thorough investigation of New York chess of the period in question. Part one covers the years (1866 thru 1867) just after the American civil war which was a great disruption to chess life in the country.
The year 1866, begins with tournament of the New York Chess Club, a knock-out contest, arranged in the classes, each contestant played a small match until eliminated from the tournament, then winner of each class would play against each other, the higher class player giving odds to his opponent. Opponents were draw by lots and as luck would have it, the club's two most prominent members were paired in the first round, Captain Mackenzie and Charles H. Stanley. Mackenzie would win the match and in time the tournament losing but one game to Stanley in their match. Stanley before the appearance of Morphy, was considered by many to be the preeminent American chess player.
The meeting of Mackenzie and Stanley was seen in the New York press as a meeting of the two best active players in the country, but exception was taken in some quarters in particular in Philadelphia where its champion Gustavus C, Reichhelm begged to differ. Reichhelm also had a champion in the chess editor of The New York Ledger, James C. Warner, who felt the naming Mackenzie and Stanley as the best players in country, was premature, and unjust to Reichhelm..A match was arranged between Mackenzie and Reichhelm, the match was looked by many as a match for the "championship" of the United States. Reichhelm was no match for Mackenzie, outside of the first game that ended in a draw (which did not count) Mackenzie easily won the match 5-0.
As regards Morphy, the hard feeling his withdrawal from chess caused may be gauged by the following quote from Warner in his column in The New York Ledger.
"...as Mr. Morphy no longer considers himself a Chess-player, there is no reason why others should do so. He has withdrawn himself from the chess world as something too good for contact with it. Chess-players in self-respect are returning the compliment by leaving the pseudo-champion severely alone."
Mackenzie, Mason & Co.
p.27
There were a number matches played by teams of New York players against other cities, either by correspondence or telegraph that are chronicled in the book, as well a number visiting players, who took advantage of being in New York and contested games against the local players. Charles A. Maurian, of New Orleans, " the well known acquaintance" of Morphy, played a number of off-hand games with Mackenzie while in New York.
There are 142 games in the book, each game is given with contemporaneous annotations from the chess press of the times. Veteran players, from the pre-Morphy era were still active besides Stanley,such as Napoleon Marache, Theodore Lichtenhein and Augustus Zerega, as well players of a younger generation, Philip Richardson, Eugene Delmar whose games and doings are be chronicled .
The year 1867 began as did it's predecessor with the championship of the New York Chess Club, the championship remained a handicap tournament but this year rather than a knockout tournament, each player had to contest two games against each opponent, exclusive of draws.
Mackenzie would again win the championship, but who would finish in second place was in doubt til the very end. But in the end both Philip Richardson Eugene Delmar agreed to divide second and third place, each player not finishing all their games at the end of the tournament.
The year 1867 also saw the change of editorship of some cities chess columns, and new chess columns beginning, the sheer number and variety of chess columns is to be envied by the modern reader.
Van Winsen has given us glimpse into the window of what was nineteenth century chess in New York, and as future volumes appear and that glimpse becomes a extended view, the rich history of chess in nineteenth century New York will emerge.
Mackenzie, Mason & Co is a limited edition of a hundred copies, so get your copy now, if you in least interested in chess history.
Mackenzie, Mason & Co. - Chess in New York between 1866 and 1880 Part I: 1866-1867 Joost Van Winsen
The Chess Player
Nottingham (2012) 162 pages
In a brief note in the Chicago Tribune's Sporting World column of the January 27, 1871 reported the arrival, that very day, of Capt. George Henry Mackenzie, " the celebrated New York chess player", who planned to stay in Chicago for several days, and while in the city contest in matches some Chicago's strongest players. The arrival of Capt. Mackenzie was also reported in the New York Spirit of the Times of January 28th, where it was expressed:
"Should the Captain be as successful at Chicago as he is in New York, he will come off victorious in a great majority of his encounters with chess luminaries of that city."
The Sporting World column of The Tribunein it'sJanuary29th column continued to report on the arrival of Capt. Mackenzie speculating on the Captain's plans, as well as giving a brief biography of the the Captain, which is worth quoting at length:
"In this connection it is proper to [illegible] very briefly the somewhat eventful life of the gentleman who claims to be the chess champion of America. he is about 35 years of age, a Scotsman by descent, and formerly a Captain in the British army. During the progress of the rebellion he came to America, and engaged as a Captain in the Union forces. He was through some three years in the South and was one of the few who, though seeing much hard fighting, fortunately escaped uninjured. He returned to New York city and at once became a prominent member of the chess club there, having some years before been one of the most noted players in Great Britain and competent to play on even termswith the ablest practitioners in Europe. Since the war he has been acknowledged leader of chess in New York, and has defeated Mr. Lichtenhelm, formerly of that city, and Mr. Reichelm of Philadelphia, in set matches......Undoubtedly the visit of Captain Mackenzie to the West will occasion a great amount of excitement and play, and an opportunity will be afforded the Western players to see if they can make any stand whatever against the redoubtable New Yorker. Of course, the chances are largely in his favor."
Chicago Tribune; Jan 29, 1871
Mackenzie played a match against Frederick Bock, who in 1874 would place fourth (4 points) at the Third American Chess Congress held in Chicago, which was won by Mackenzie (8 1/2 points). Bockwas attached in some capacity to the Lawrence Barrett Dramatic troupe.
John G. White Collection, Cleveland Public Library
GV1438 .C475 1845
Mackenzie also played a match against James Morgan, who is described in American Chess Magazine as a man of great wealth, who used to be one of the strongest players of the city, and was by far the most deliberate player in the city, but he had given up chess completely by the time of the American Chess Magazine ( August, 1897) article. Morgan served at one time as the President of the Chicago Chess and Checkers Club. He was on the Chicago team, that played the Quincey, Ill. team by telegraph, which was the subject og two previous posts, Links here and here.
And finally Mackenzie also played matches against Henry Hosmer and Hiram Martin Langdon Kennicott, Hosmer was the subject of a previous post in this blog. Kennicott had played at the First American Chess Congress in 1857, not advancing beyond the first round losing to Benjamin I. Raphael (3.5 - 2.5). Kennicott would take part at the Third American Chess Congress in 1874 , but would withdraw early from the tournament.
The chess column of February18th in the New York Spirit of the Times gave the results of Mackenzie's visit to Chicago, in his match with James Morgan each player won 3, with 1 drawn game. In his match J. (?) Hosmer, Mackenzie won 3, and losing but 1 game. Mackenzie won his match with Frederick Bock by same score as his match with Hosmer. Mackenzie shutout Hiram Kennicott in their match, winning 2, with no loses or draws.
In December, Mackenzie again would find himself in the West in Cleveland for the Second American Chess Congress, it was originally thought that an International tournament could be organized, but the majority of the western players preferred a purely American affair, Mackenzie would win the tournament and he would continue to dominate the American chess scene for years to come.
