He is a Chess Genius,
Lasker, The Great Player Here
Though Not Yet 25 Years Old He Has Defeated, All Contemporary Experts Save Steinitz, Whom He expects To Meet Soon - A Career of Conquest.
“Chess is not only the most
fascinating and intellectual game which the wisdom of antiquity has
bequeathed to man, but it is incomparably the most scientific.
Separated from the most abstruse of sciences by the faintest line of
demarkation,[sic] it is more difficult than integral calculus,
according Jaenisch, the Russian mathematician. Richard A. Proctor,
who devoted to chess as much study as he gave to astronomy, said, “No
man has yet mastered chess, for the plummet of human intellect cannot
fathom its depths”, and Sir William Jones declared that a chess
genius is not born oftener than once a century."
“Since the advent of Paul Morphy,
who shot athwart the chess sky with meteoric brilliancy , dazzling by
his genius the players of his day and vanquishing such of the
American and transatlantic champions as had the temerity to meet him,
no player has arisen who was deemed worthy to be his successor or
upon whom his chess mantle should fall."
“A new star, however, has recently
appeared in the chess firmament, who is believed by many to be Paul
Morphy's legitimate successor. His genius as effectually outshines
the present chess lights as Morphy's overshadowed those of his day."
“This new chess genius is Emanuel
Lasker, who is now in Chicago visiting the world's fair.
“Mr. Lasker's public record,
although extending over only a brief period, is unequaled by that of
any who ever lived not excepting the great Paul Morphy."
Mr.
Lasker's Victorious Career
“Emanuel Lasker was born the 24th of December, 1868,
in Berlinchen, Germany. He learned the rudiments of chess when
scarcely 12 years of age, and incontinently showed a rare aptitude
for the game. Less than six months after playing his first game he
was contending on even terms with the strongest amateurs of his
native town. In 1889 his first public match took place. This was
contested in Berlin with Baron Von Bardeleben, a scholarly profound
player, fresh from his victories in London, and when the score was
two to one in his favor his formidable antagonist resigned the match.
This at once gave Lasker a conspicuous place in the chess world. His
next opponent was the skillful Mieses, who enjoyed a high reputation
in German chess circles. The youthful champion's achievement was
remarkable, for he won five straight games, and his discomfited
adversary threw up the sponge. He was a contestant in the
Amsterdam chess congress of 1889 and was matched against an array of
formidable players. Amos Burn, of London, gained the first prize and
Lasker took the second. Mr. Lasker soon afterward visited London, and
a match was arranged with the veteran Bird. At the conclusion of the
contest the score stood, Lasker 7 games and Bird 2 games. His next
encounter was with Mianati, the strong Manchester player. Lasker won
the match without losing a game. From this time forward he was
contestant in small tournaments, and his success was almost unbroken.
He had come to be regarded as one of the most powerful chessists in
London, but his youth caused some of the veteran English players to
discredit his ability and underrate his skill. Lee, the very strong
London expert, challenged Lasker. As soon, however, as the first
partie was finished he abandoned the contest remarking: 'Lasker is
too strong for me.'”
“Soon after this match the British chess tournament took place
in London, the participants being Mason, Lee, Bird, and others, first
rates. Mr. Lasker was induced to enter the lists, and secured the
highest honor. Mason came out second.”
“Then occurred the famous quintangular match with Mason, Bird,
Gunsburg, and Blackburne, This unique tourney excited much interest.
Mr. Lasker demonstrated his superiority by again carrying off the
first prize. Blackburne bore off second honors.”
“A general desire was expressed for a set match between
Blackburne and Lasker, and the latter readily consented to measure
lances with the redoubtable Briton, The sweeping victory achieved by
Lasker, he won six games to nothing placed him on the highest
pinnacle, and the press showered upon him compliments. The London
players were anxious for him to challenge Steinitz for the chess championship of the world, but Mr. Lasker said he could afford to
wait a while.”
“The Manhattan Chess club of New York gave Lasker a pressing
invitation to fill a month's engagement in New York, and the
invitation was gladly accepted by Mr. Lasker, who had a strong desire
to visit the United States. He had heard much about the native genius
of such players as Delmar, Hodges, and Lipschultz, and he was anxious
to test their powers. It was arranged for him to play three games
each with the eight strongest players of the Manhattan club. Such
able players as Eugene Delmar, Dr. Isaacson, Major Hanhan and A. B.
Hodges were pitted against him. He beat with ease one after another
of his opponents, the only reverses he suffered being at the hands of
the youthful Hodges and the erudite Isaacson, to each of whom he lost
one game. The total score was: Lasker twenty-one games, lost two
games and drawn one game. This was regarded as a wonderful
achievement."
“After finishing his engagement with the Manhattan club Mr.
Lasker went to Canada and visited the clubs in Quebec, Montreal and
Toronto. He enjoyed an unbroken series of victories and was
everywhere hailed as the world's greatest players. Altogether he
played in Canada fifty-two games, only one of which he lost."
Lasker and Riechelm at play
The Chicago Herald: 26 June 1893, p.9
“In Brooklyn his success was scarcely less remarkable. The only
game he did not score, was a drawn battle with Phil Richardson, one
of the strongest players in the United States. In Philadelphia he
encountered the veteran Riechhelm, the brilliant Shipley, the
scholarly Elson and half dozen other strong players. The only game he
lost, was to Shipley. He played nineteen games simultaneously with
the strongest team the quaker city could present and not one game did
he lose."
“Mr. Lasker next visited the clubs of Havana, and defeated the
Cuban experts with ease. With Signor Golmayo, Ponce, Vasquez and
Ostolazza he played short matches, making clean scores. During his
stay in Havana he lost not a game and drew only one. This was a far
better score than either Steinitz, Tschigorin, or McKenzie had made
against the Cubans."
“In New Orleans Mr. Lasker next met the best players of the
city, that produced Paul Morphy. Mr. Lasker played for several weeks
and won victory after victory. During his stay in the crescent city
he was the recipient of many courtesies and was invited to deliver a
series of lectures before [illegible word] Tulane university. He
lectured on the thesis of 'Linear Differential Equations,' and was
complimented, by the faculty of that institution, who requested him
to prepare a work on the subject. Mr. Lasker has been busily engaged
on this work ever since."
“His last and most important match was with Jackson Showalter,
of Kentucky, who for two years had held the chess championship of the
United States. This match was played at Kokomo, Ind., last April. The
stakes were $1,000. At the end of two weeks the contest ended in
favor of Lasker who defeated his antagonist by the decisive score of
6 to 2 and one drawn game. At the conclusion of that match Mr.
Showalter expressed a desire to back Lasker against Steinitz in a
match for $5,000 and the chess championship of the world. Letters
came from New York and New Orleans congratulating the victor and
offering to help raise the stakes in the event of a match with
Steinitz. Mr. Lasker indicated a willingness to measure lances with
the hitherto invincible champion, and negotiations were immediately
begun. Charles A. Gilbert [Gilberg] of Brooklyn, was named by Lasker
as his second, and Mr. Steinitz was communicated with. He replied
that a challenge coming from so distinguished a player as Lasker was
worthy of consideration, and he would accept it in, the spirit it was
sent. The probability of an encounter between Steinitz and Lasker and
the possibility that some of the games may be played in Chicago has
aroused the local players and awakened great interest in the coming
event. The Chicago players will make concerted effort to bring about
the match, which will unquestionably be the greatest contest in the
annals of chess."
A
Talk With Lasker
“A representative of The Herald visited Mr. Lasker
at his apartments in the Mecca and he was found unraveling some
abstruse Mathematical problems, such exercise being a light diversion
for him. The
reporter was cordially received by the young chess champion. Mr. Lasker possesses a refined and intellectual face, with an unmistakable Jewish cast of countenance. His features are clear cut, his eyes dark and piercing , yet at times bright and merry in their twinkle. His thin, compressed lips evince of strength and firmness are almost hid by the drooping neatly trimmed dark mustache. The glasses which bridge, his firm Roman nose, impart to his visage a sedate and scholarly appearance. The dignity of his bearing. The easy grace of his [illegible word] and the measured reticence of his conversation indicate the artist temperament, and the conformation of the frontal cranium discovers to the phrenologist an abnormal development where the group of intellectual faculties have their abode. Mr. Lasker is not a voluble talker, but he expresses himself easily in good English. When the subject of chess is broached his eyes light up with interest and his conversation becomes animated.
reporter was cordially received by the young chess champion. Mr. Lasker possesses a refined and intellectual face, with an unmistakable Jewish cast of countenance. His features are clear cut, his eyes dark and piercing , yet at times bright and merry in their twinkle. His thin, compressed lips evince of strength and firmness are almost hid by the drooping neatly trimmed dark mustache. The glasses which bridge, his firm Roman nose, impart to his visage a sedate and scholarly appearance. The dignity of his bearing. The easy grace of his [illegible word] and the measured reticence of his conversation indicate the artist temperament, and the conformation of the frontal cranium discovers to the phrenologist an abnormal development where the group of intellectual faculties have their abode. Mr. Lasker is not a voluble talker, but he expresses himself easily in good English. When the subject of chess is broached his eyes light up with interest and his conversation becomes animated.
“'Is it true,' he was asked, 'you are willing to
encounter the redoubtable Steinitz?'
“' Yes not only willing, but anxious,' Mr. Lasker
replied, with an enthusiastic ring in his voice.
“'Is t likely that a match between you will be
brought about?'”
“'I think so; in fact. I feel confident that the
negotiations now pending will result in a match between us. I am
anxious the match shall be for $5,000 a side and the chess
championship of the world, and I hear that Steinitz favors such an
amount, which by the way, will be the largest stakes ever contented
for by chess players.'”
“'What progress has been made in the negotiations,
and when and where will the match take place?'”
“'That I cannot say just now. So far as the time is
concerned I cannot get ready much before the close of the present
year. I should like to play a part of the match in New York, a part
in Chicago, and a part in New Orleans. My friends are rapidly making
up the money, for they are confident of my success. My second has
already been chosen, Charles A. Gilbert [Gilberg] of Brooklyn, a man
whom' everybody respects. I believe the requisite stakes will soon be
forthcoming.'”
“'Is Steinitz willing to play?'”
“'I am sure he is, for his faith in his own skill
is not diminished, and he evidently believes he can add my chess
scalp to his belt.'”
“'Do you expect to defeat him?'”
“'Certainly I do. Else why would I risk $5,000 and
my chess reputation? I confess that I anticipate the toughest fight
of my life; that I shall be forced to exert myself as I never have
done, and that I shall have to play better and deeper chess than I
have ever done in order to beat him. I entertain an excellent opinion
of Steinitz's ability. I know that it will be no easy matter to wrest
from him the world's championship, which he has so honorably and
bravely held for more tan a quarter of a century; but I have enough
confidence in myself to essay that difficult task. I am vain enough
to believe that the match will be the greatest one ever played. All
that I cans ay is that I shall do my best; but whether or not that
best is good enough to defeat Steinitz, remains to be seen.'”
“'Is it your purpose to play some of the games in
Chicago?'”
“'If the Chicago players desire us to contest one
section of the match here, I doubt not we shall be able to do so, for
this is neutral ground. I find that Steinitz has plenty of friends
and backer here, who are confident he can defeat me. But I wish to
say that I have never played my best chess for I have never been
required to exert myself to defeat, such as I have encountered. I am
willing to admit that Steinitz is decidedly superior to any one I
have confronted, yet I shall face him with the firm conviction that I will defeat him. I may have some surprises in
store for him and the chess world. I am regarded as strongest in
defense and end games, yet in my match with Steinitz I may prove that
my ability lies in attacks. I expect to open the eyes of chess
players. I am imbued with an ambition to be acknowledged chess
champion of the world, and if the match with Steinitz can be arranged
that ambition will soon be gratified.'”
