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October 09 1961
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, October 09, 1961
CHESS WINNERS—Tibor Rekey of Denton, who placed third in the Cowtown Open Chess Tournament which ended at Hotel Texas Sunday, watches play between Fred Tears of Dallas, second place winner, left, and William Bills of Houston, first place winner, right, Louis Dina of 604 Harrisdale and Kell Terry of Weatherford qualified to represent a 40-county area in the state tournament late in the year.
November 17 1980
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Monday, November 17, 1980
Bills, William Alvin—In S.F., November 16, 1980; beloved brother of Elizabeth Broyles; devoted uncle of William B. Broyles, Jr., Betsy Broyles Breier and Nelson Bennett of Houston and George S. Bennett III, Thomas B. Bennett and Eleanor Bennett Prentice of New Milford, Conn.; dear brother-in-law of William Broyles of Houston; proud to be a native of Houston, Texas; graduate of University of Houston in elec. engr.; reg. professional engr.; state of Tex.; assisted in design of elec. systems for Houston Astrodome; state champion chess player of Texas; master chess player; active in S.F. and No. Cal. chess clubs.
Friends may visit Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Currivan's Chapel of the Sunset, 2550 Irving St. (26th Ave.) Funeral Tuesday 1 p.m. at Currivan's Interment, Forest Park Cemetery, Houston.
March 06 1898
The Butte Miner, Butte, Montana, Sunday, March 06, 1898
Chess Contest by Cable
The interesting of all who are skilled in that most difficult and fascinating of games, class, is beginning to center in the great Cable Chess match, which is to be played early in March, between all England and the United States. The fact that this will be a strictly Yankee-British contest, since only native-born citizens of the respective countries are allowed to compete, adds zest to the struggle for national chess supremacy. So far the honors have been quite evenly divided between the two nations. In 1896 America won the trophy, but had it wrested from her by the British in 1897. This year should the British win again, the trophy will be theirs to keep, hence the best players of both nations are bound to do their best. The trophy for which the rival teams are contending is a solid silver Chess Cup, valued at $1,000. It is 30 inches high, 24 inches long, 15 inches wide, and weighs with its base of polished ebony 40 pounds. The design represents America, with her shield and liberty cap and eagle, on one side of the base, and on the other Britannia, with trident, shield and lion. Above these figures all the chessmen appear, the rook being the standard and the bishop the apex of the bowl. Around the bowl cluster the pawns, and the queen and king and knights are used as ornaments in relief. This splendid trophy was presented by Sir George Newnes, President of the British Chess club.
The ten players who have been chosen to do battle for England this year are all exceptionally strong players; and in them the Americans will meet foemen worthy of their best steel. Their names are: J. H. Blackburne, Amos Burn, H. E. Atkins, G. E. H. Belingham, E. M. Jackson, C. D. Lowcock, D. Y. Mills, H. Jacobs, H. Caro and H. W. Trenchard. Three of these men, Burn, Caro and Trenchard, had no part in last year's match. Amos Burn has just won first prize in the amateur tournament in Wales, conquering Bellingham the former winner. He is now in splendid working form; and may have the opportunity of averaging himself on Showalter, who defeated him in 1896. H. Caro is the young expert, who at Berlin last summer made his international debut; and, although winning no prizes, proved himself a remarkably able chess player, H. W. Trenchard played in the original cable match between the British and Manhattan Chess clubs several years ago; but has had no opportunity since, until the coming match, to show what he can do. The six players who have been selected to defend the Newnes trophy are all men with brilliant records. Not one of them so far has been defeated, except Lowcock. Blackburne conquered Pillsbury, with 1 points to his credit. Atkins, the amateur champion of England, defeated Burrille and drew with Delmar. Bellingham made his first international fight last year and drew with ex-United States Champion Hodges. E. M. Jackson has a clean score to his credit, conquering Baird of Manhattan and Helms of Brooklyn. Lowcock was defeated by Showalter and tied with Hymes. Mills, the Scotch champion, drew with Hodges and with Hymes. H. Jacobs won a brilliant victory over McCutcheon last year, and his selection adds materially to the strength of the English team.
Such, briefly are the records of the men against whom the Americans are to contend; and, without doubt, it will prove to be the strongest team ever pitted against America by Great Britain.
Of the American chess players, H. N. Pillsbury is the most famous, Mr. Pillsbury is a young man, only about twenty-six years old, and yet he is one of the ablest and best known chess players in the world today. He received his chess education in the Deschapelles and Boston clubs, and early showed a remarkable mastery of the difficulties of the game. His first great achievement was the winning of two games, at odds of pawn and move, from the celebrated Steinitz. This was in 1892, and the feat gave publicity to his name. Since this date his rise to fame has been phenomenal. He has conquered some of the best chess players of this country and of Europe, notably at the Chess congress held at Hastings, England, where he defeated, with apparent ease, such veteran players as Steinitz, Lasker and Tarrasch. Last year he won the championship of the United States from Showalter by a score of 10 to 8 and three draws.
Jackson W. Showalter is another of America's notable chess players. He first came into prominence as a chess player something like ten years ago. He is a strong strategist, and has met successfully some of the world's best players.
A. B. Hodges is a Southerner by birth, and an exceptionally strong player. He has held the championship of the New York State Association, and is considered one of the most brilliant players in America.
Eugene Delmar is a veteran at the board. For at least twenty years he has been looked upon as one of the great players of the country; but he is not in any sense a back number, as his recent victories testify.
John F. Barry has won first prize in several club tournaments and matches against the finest players in Boston, and is considered one of the ablest chess experts of that intellectual city. He is not yet thirty years old; but already takes rank in the higher chess circles. Among the other famous American chess players, who have won an international reputation, may be mentioned the names of F. M. Teed, C. F. Burrille, Hymes, Helms and McCutcheon.
The unique feature of this celebrated chess match is the distance which separates the opponents. There will be something like 3,383 miles, mostly of salt water, between the opposing players; and yet the move of each player will be known to his adversary in a few seconds. This wonder is accomplished through the agency of the submarine cable.
The method of playing distant-matches is interesting. Promptly at 9:30 o'clock, a.m., New York time, on the day selected for the opening of the match, the players of each team will take their places at tables numbered from 1 to 10. One of two slips of paper, numbered 1 and 2, will now be drawn. If the number drawn is odd, the odd-numbered tables of the British side have the first move; if even, then the even-numbered tables of the same side move first. The result of the drawing is at once cabled to the other side and the names of the players in the order at which they have been seated. Time will be called at 10 o'clock, a.m. The instant a move is made it is sent flying across the ocean; and in less than fifteen seconds the opposing player has knowledge of it, and can move accordingly. Every player must make at least twenty moves an hour. He must divide up the hour to suit himself, that is, he can spend ten seconds on one move and ten minutes on another, but the sum-total of moves during the hour must equal twenty.
Thus will the great Cable Chess match be played to a finish, with the Britishers in London, the Americans in Brooklyn and the stormy Atlantic rolling between. Truly the nineteenth century is beginning to annihilate distance.
January 07 1897
Boston Evening Transcript, Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday, January 07, 1897
Miss Elizabeth M. Morris, the daughter of Mrs. Ellen T. Morris of Dorchester, was married yesterday to John F. Barry in St. Peter's Church, Meeting House Hill. The groom is a clerk in the clerk's office of the Municipal Criminal Court, a member of the Press Club and of the Chess Club, and a prominent chess player.
April 18 1896
The Standard Union, Brooklyn, New York, Saturday, April 18, 1896
MR. BARRY'S EXHIBITION.
John F. Barry, the Boston chess expert whose skillful playing in the cable chess match with England gave the victory to America, is one of the coterie of young Americans, headed by Harry N. Pillsbury, who have risen to prominence in chess in the past few years. Mr. Barry has not had the opportunity to show to what extent his powers is over the board play, compared with Mr. Pillsbury in the past year or two, but before Pillsbury left Boston there was not a great difference between them. Mr. Pillsbury has steadily maintained that his fellow-townsman would compare favorably in chess strength with any of the New York experts, and the playing of Mr. Barry in the cable match, as well as in the correspondence match between Boston and Brooklyn, indicates that the estimate is none too high.
Mr. Barry has been invited by the Brooklyn C. C. to visit this city to give an exhibition of simultaneous playing, and to-night will contest fourteen games, some of which will be managed by two or more consulting players. Games will commence at 8 P. M. The clubrooms will be open to the public without cards of admission.
February 12 1895
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, February 12, 1895
Chess by Correspondence.
Interesting Game in Progress Between Brooklyn and Boston.
The correspondence match, Boston Chess club vs. Brooklyn chess club, is resulting in two highly interesting games and the scores to date, with diagrams are appended. The correspondence is conducted on the part of the Boston chess club by John F. Barry and E. L. Dresel. Mr. Barry is acknowledged to be the strongest chess player in New England and deserves his reputation. The Brooklyn end of the match is in the hands of R. F. Bradford, the secretary of Brooklyn Chess club, well known as a blindfold player of great strength, and John C. Tatum, the captain of the Brooklyn Chess club team of the Metropolitan league. Boston has the attack in game I, an Evans gambit, and Brooklyn has the attack in game II, a bishop's gambit.
John Finan Barry and E. L. Dresel (Boston Chess Club) vs. (Brooklyn Chess Club) R. F. Bradford and John C. Tatum
February 08 1903
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Sunday, February 08, 1903
Barry Beaten Again.
Boston Player, After Getting an Advantageous Position, Succumbs to Lasker's Skill.
John F. Barry, the amateur, and Dr. Emanuel Lasker, the professional champion, battled yesterday afternoon and evening at the Boston chess club, the professional winning at the conclusion of the 36th move. It was the second time within a week that the pair had tried conclusions and it was the second victory scored by the great master over the Bostonian.
On Tuesday evening, when the pair fought for honors at the Boston athletic association, Barry tried a few moves which had they been successful, would have resulted in the defeat of the visiting champion, but as it was, he had to resign after completing the 25th move.
Yesterday the two started play at 3 o'clock, and when they adjourned for dinner at 6 the local man had a splendid advantage and his friends looked to see an exciting contest at the evening session.
In all 22 moves were completed before the adjournment. When play began after dinner the professional started on a plan of operation which was decidedly puzzling and so difficult were his moves that Barry deliberated for some time before replying. In making one move the amateur spent almost 25 minutes and as he was required to make 15 moves an hour he was obliged to make the others in haste, and this proved very costly, he being forced to resign eventually.
The Ruy Lopez opening was chosen, and Dr. Lasker adopted the famous Berlin defence, which he invariably plays when this opening is resorted to.
The match was witnessed by a big delegation of members and friends of the club, who replayed the match on boards in the large room of the club.
Barry had the white and Dr. Lasker the black. The moves:
John Finan Barry vs Emanuel Lasker
Exhibition game (1903) (exhibition), Boston, MA USA, Feb-07
Spanish Game: Berlin Defense. Nyholm Attack (C65) 0-1
April 09 1940
Familial grave stone of John Finan Barry and family.
April 10 1940
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Wednesday, April 10, 1940
Attorney John F. Barry, Ex-Court Clerk, Dies
Attorney John F. Barry, 66, former assistant clerk of the Boston Municipal Criminal Court and a noted chess and bridge expert, died last night at his home, 139 Greaton road, West Roxbury. Although ailing since last July, he had recently returned to work and only yesterday turned in his chess column to the Boston Transcript of which he had been chess columnist for 24 years.
A native of Boston, the son of James and Bridget Catherine (Grant) Barry, Mr. Barry worked as a copyist in the Municipal Criminal Court from 1889 to 1896, when he was appointed assistant clerk, a position he held until 1917. He was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1905.
Long noted as one of the foremost chess players in the United States, he had worked as a chess expert for the Post before becoming columnist for the Transcript in 1915. At one time he played a cable game with the noted foreign chess champion, Capablanca. In later years he had acquired skill as a bridge player, winning the New England bridge championship in 1934.
One of the founders and a trustee of the Hibernia Savings Bank, he was a member of the Law Society of Massachusetts, the Boston Bar Association, the Boston Chess Club, the Town Bridge Club and the 73 Club of Boston. His law office was in the Kimball Building.
He leaves a son, James G. Barry of Boston, and a daughter, Mrs. John A. Water of Coronado, Calif.
Funeral services will be held Saturday morning, with a solemn high mass in the Holy Name Church, West Roxbury, at 9. Burial will be in Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.
April 11 1940
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Thursday, April 11, 1940
Attorney John F. Barry Funeral Tomorrow
Funeral services for attorney John F. Barry, 66, former assistant clerk of the Boston Municipal Criminal Court, noted bridge expert and editor of the Boston Transcript's chess column for 24 years, who died Tuesday at his home, 139 Greaton road, West Roxbury, will be held tomorrow morning, with a solemn high mass in the Holy Name Church, West Roxbury, at 9 o'clock. Interment will be in Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury.
Mr. Barry was born in Boston, the son of James and Bridget Catherine (Grant) Barry. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1905. He was a member of the Law Society of Massachusetts and was one of the founders and a trustee of the Hibernia Savings Bank.
Long noted as one of the foremost chess players in the United States, he had worked as a chess expert for the Post before becoming columnist for the Transcript in 1915. At one time he played a cable game with the noted foreign chess champion, Capablanca. In late years he had acquired skill as a bridge player, winning the New England bridge championship in 1934.
He leaves a son, James G. Barry of Boston, and a daughter, Mrs. John A. Water of Coronado, Calif.
April 12 1940
Transcript-Telegram, Holyoke, Massachusetts, Friday, April 12, 1940
New England Deaths
Boston—Private funeral services will be held Saturday for John F. Barry, 66, chess editor of the Boston Transcript since 1915. He died at his West Roxbury home. He was formerly an assistant municipal court clerk and chess expert for the Boston Post. At the age of 23 he won the deciding game of a cable chess match between the United States and England.
April 13 1940
The Boston Globe, Boston, Massachusetts, Saturday, April 13, 1940
800 Attend Services for John F. Barry
More than 800 persons attended funeral services at the Church of the Holy Name, West Roxbury, this morning for the former assistant clerk John F. Barry of the Boston Municipal Court who died Wednesday at his home, 139 Greaton road.
Rev. Charles E. Riley was celebrant of the solemn high mass of requiem, with Rev. Joseph A. Quigley as deacon and Rev. Edward W. Desmond as subdeacon.
Delegations attended from the Boston Municipal Court, the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Hibernia Savings Bank.
Interment was in Mt. Benedict Cemetery.
May 15 1940
Evening star, Washington, District of Columbia, Wednesday, May 15, 1940
Attention has been called to the death of one of the finest of New England chess players and columnists, John F. Barry of Boston.
Barry passed to the Valhalla of Eminent American masters at the age of 67. Since 1915 he had conducted a chess column in the Boston Transcript.
By profession, he was a successful lawyer. -Paul J. Millerm, Chess Column
November 17 1940
The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, Sunday, November 17, 1940
Barry Victory of 40 Years Ago
John F. Barry was a fixture in Boston chess circles for some 45 years. In the closing years of the last century, when Pillsbury was impressing Europe and New York with his genius, Barry was asked to play in the Anglo-American cable matches, largely through the recommendation of Pillsbury, who knew Barry's skill at firsthand. Barry won his game in each of the first five cable matches. The game below was played in 1900, and shows how Barry brought about a winning attack.
John Finan Barry vs Henry Ernest Atkins
5th Anglo-American Cable Match (1900), London ENG / New York USA, rd 1, Mar-23
Sicilian Defense: French Variation. Normal (B40) 1-0
(a) Barry used to like to describe how Atkins was led on psychologically to advance his K side pawns in an inviting attack. But all the time Barry felt sure the pawn advance would open the way for a decisive counterblow.
November 17 1940
Evening star, Washington, District of Columbia, Monday, December 30, 1940
John F. Barry, attorney at law, chess editor of the Boston Transcript since 1915, died at the age of 67, leaving a legacy of master games and fine reporting.
July 21 1914
Conejo News, Thousand Oaks, California, Monday, August 08, 1960
Frank Marshall and Kurt Lüdecke began a Chess Game on July 21, 1914.
They were interrupted by the World War and when they met again 24 years later they finished the game.
1905
1905, Marshall and Tarrasch at Play.
Through the courtesy of J. S. W. Schenzel, the tourneyment director of the Nuremberg Chess Club, we are enabled to reproduce a photograph of the scene of the Marshall-Tarrasch match, which took place at the Park-Restaurant, “Rosenua.” Beside the principals, the group also includes Herr Schenzel, as representative of the club, Herr Ellenberger, Marshall's second, and Herr Schmidt, the second for Dr. Tarrasch. Source: October 1905 American Chess Bulletin
December 18 1910
An Exhibition Game at the Pittsburgh Chess Club 18 Dec 1910, Sun Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
An Exhibition Game At The Pittsburgh Chess Club
From left to right, seated—Frank J. Marshall, United States chess champion; Howard L. Dolde, B. H. Lutton, champion of Western Pennsylvania. Standing from left to right—L. E. Johns, Eina Michelsen, ex-western champion; T. F. Maloy, C. P. Carpenter and J. Anderson.
April 16 1911
Chess Masters in International Tournament at San Sebastian 16 Apr 1911, Sun Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Chess Masters in International Tournament at San Sabastian
From left to right—Frank Marshall, Amos Burn (standing), David Janowski, Ossip Bernstein, Oldrich Duras, Akiba Rubinstein, Geza Maroczy (seated), Rudolf Spielmann, Paul Saladin Leonhardt, the referee; Jose Capablanca, Aron Nimzowitsch, Milan Vidmar, Hoffer, Richard Teichmann, Siegbert Tarrasch, and Mieses, tournament director.
April 22 1915
CHESS MASTERS OFF ON THREE WEEKS' GRIND
With Capablanca and Marshall showing the way, the eight experts in the chess masters tournament are playing their third round at the Hotel Grenoble, in Manhattan, today. In the photograph herewith, showing the opening of the congress, the following well known players and enthusiasts appear: Seated in front (left to right) J. R. Capablanca, Eduard Lasker, J. Bernstein, F. J. Marshall. Seated in rear (left to right) A. Kupchik, O. Chajes, A. B. Hodges, E. Michelsen. Standing (left to right) G. Koehler, R. J. Brown, L. Rosen, F. P. Beynon, John L. Clark, Hermann Helms, Frank I. Cohen, Julius Finn, Hartwig Cassel, W. M. de Visser, A. Martinez, Frank Rice Marshall, Mrs. F. J. Marshall. (Courtesy of Pathe News.)
June 12 1929
On the Roof of the Hotel La Reine.
Seated (left to right)-Alexander Kevitz, Hartwig Cassel, Victor Spark, Dr. Alexander Alekhine, Dr. Norbert L. Lederer, Frank J. Marshall and Abraham Kupchik.
Standing (left to right)-George P. Northrop, I. S. Turover, Rafael Cintron, Herman Steiner, Lajos Steiner, H. Ransom Bigelow, Maurice Fox, Hermann Helms and J. Edmund Lister.
Alexander Alekhine (first row, middle chair) surrounded by the participants and officials of the Bradley Beach tournament in 1929. The World Champion took first place with eight wins and only one draw. Original b/w credits, David Delucia Collection.
Alekhine Wins Title 12 Jun 1929, Wed The Pittsburgh Press (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
Alekhine Wins Title.
BRADLEY BEACH, N. J., June 12. Dr. Alexander Alekhine of Paris Tuesday won the International Chess Masters' Tournament which has been in progress here for the past nine days. Alekhine did not lose a game. Lajos Steiner, of Budapest, won the second prize, losing only to Dr. Alekhine.
June 11 1930
Chess Champion Playing 6 Opponents at Once
Frank J. Marshall, in foreground, national chess champion, playing six members of Binghamton Chess Club simultaneously. His opponents, left to right, are: Lloyd C. Anderson, Charles W. Yeomans, Martin L. Deyo, Dr. Frederick M. Miller, Lynn Bryant and Harry Harris. Mr. Anderson was the only player to defeat the champion one game.
U.S. Chess Champion Wins 22 Games Here Simultaneously 11 Jun 1930, Wed Press and Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, New York) Newspapers.com
December 19 1939
The Montclair Times, Montclair, New Jersey, Tuesday, December 19, 1939
ALLEN A. WITT
Services for Allen Arthur Witt, 34, of Los Angeles, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. William, N. Witt, and brother, Harry W. Witt, reside at 511 Highland Avenue, will be held at 3 P. M. today at the Home for Services, 56 Park Street. The Rev. Dr. George Clark Vincent, pastor of Union Congregational Church, will officiate. Interment will be in Mt. Hebron Cemetery.
Mr. Witt died as a result of a hunting accident. He was shot when he tripped while getting out of his car in Los Angeles on Dec. 10. He was assistant manager of the Pipe Line Division of General Petroleum Corporation of Los Angeles. He was graduated from Montclair High School in 1924 and from Marietta College in Ohio in 1929. He was a member of the tennis teams at both schools and was a former member of Inwood Tennis Club of Upper Montclair. He was a member of Union Congregational Church.
April 09 1942
The Montclair Times, Montclair, New Jersey, Thursday, April 09, 1942
MRS. WILLIAM N. WITT-Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Witt of 511 Highland Avenue, Upper Montclair, wife of William N. Witt, who died yesterday after a long illness, will be held Saturday at 2 P. M. at the Home for Services, 56 Park Street. The Rev. Dr. Morgan Phelps Noyes, pastor of Central Presbyterian Church, will officiate, and interment will be in Mount Hebron Cemetery.
Born in Mount Vernon, N. Y., Mrs. Witt had been a resident of Montclair for thirty-two years. Before coming to Montclair she was known professionally as a pianist. She was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, Unity Alliance, and the Monday Club.
Surviving, beside her husband, are a son, Harry W. of Montclair; and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur Reeks and Miss Emma Witt of Montclair.
September 12 1918
September 12, 1918, William Nicholas Witt, Military Registration Card
September 16 1948
The Montclair Times, Montclair, New Jersey, Thursday, September 16, 1948
William N. Witt, 71, Resident 38 Years
Director of Paper Concern Dies at Home
William N. Witt, 71, a director and assistant treasurer of F. W. Anderson & Co., New York wholesale paper firm, died Monday at his home, 511 Highland Avenue, Upper Montclair, after an illness of six months. Funeral services will be held this morning at 10 o'clock at the Home for Services, 56 Park Street. The Rev. Dr. Morgan P. Noyes, paster of Central Presbyterian Church, will officiate, and interment will be in Mt. Hebron Cemetery, Upper Montclair. Masonic services were held by Montclair Lodge No. 144, F & A. M., at the funeral home last night.
Mr. Witt, a resident of Montclair for thirty-eight years, was one of the founders of the Montclair Chess Club. He served as its president for two terms, and held club championships for several years including 1947.
Mr. Witt was born in New York and was a graduate of Packard School there. He had been associated with F. W. Anderson & Co. since 1918 and retired on June 30 because of his health. He was a member of Montclair Lodge, F & A. M. His wife was the late Mrs. Helen Witt.
Surviving is a son, Harry W. Witt of the Highland Avenue address.
February 03 1989
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Friday, February 03, 1989
BLONAROVYCH
Lev J Blonarovych died January 27, 1989 at McGuire VA Medical Center. He was an engineer at VA McGuire for 24 years. He retired in 1987. Survived by two daughters, Tamara Blonarovych and Larissa Blonarovych, both of Washington, D.C.; one sister Lydia Kyj of Wallingford, Pa.; one brother Roman Blonarowycz of Boothwyn, Pa. Services will be held Friday 8-9 a.m. at Kaniefski Funeral Home, Trainer, Pa. Mass of Christian burial 9:30 am Holy Ghost Church, interment St Mary’s Cemetery, Fox Chase Philadelphia.
September 05 1972
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday, September 05, 1972
Charles Powell (left) Successfully Defended Title in a 'Lucky' Win
Lev Blonarouych (right) of Richmond Took Second Place
Champion Retains Chess Title
By Jann Malone
It was all over. Charles Powell stood up and stretched. He had successfully defended his state chess championship.
He had just defeated Lev Blonarovych of Richmond, a chess master like himself, in an intense, five-hour match. Both had been favored to reach the finals in the Virginia State Chess Championship held here over the weekend.
Blonarovych took second in the competition and Ed Kitces of Richmond finished third.
Was that last game a difficult one?
“It was a tremendous struggle,” Powell said. “I was lucky to win.”
“All my games are luckouts, anyway,” he added, smiling.
He looked tired, almost exhausted. In addition tot he five-hour afternoon match, he had played another long one yesterday morning.
Powell, of Williamsburg, has been playing chess for 12 years, and has won the title several times.
He is in graduate school at the College of William and Mary, studying mathematics.
Does he use psychology to break his opponent's concentration?
“Naw,” he said, “not really. Sometimes, though, when I'm in dire need, I'll resort to a little gamesmanship.”
Powell doesn't plan to become a chess professional in the Bobby Fischer sense of the word. He says there's not much distinction between amateurs and professionals in chess anyway.
There isn't enough money in the game, he said. “It's not like golf — you can't make a living at it.” Powell has won “maybe $1000” in tournaments in the past year.
Even without the money, he says, “I'll keep on playing.”
September 12 1918
September 12, 1918, Palmer Gunkel Keeney, Military Registration Card
August 13 1911
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sunday, August 13, 1911
CINTI CHAPTER SUI MATE SOLVERS.
From left to right: P. G. Keeney, E. W. Keeney, M. D., and Murray Goldsmith, M.D., three leaders in Ohio chess. Between Murray Goldsmith and P. G. Keeney there exists a friendly rivalry for the Ohio state chess championship. E. W. Keeney was for years chess editor of the Southern Trade Gazette at Louisville and Kentucky Trade Journal at Newport, Ky. He had retired from active chess, but has been brought back into the mimic fray through The Gazette Times. All are expert in self mate composition and solution, and have aided considerably in making this class of problem popular.
Game Ending No. 29 - Prize Position 19 Sep 1891, Sat Pittsburgh Dispatch (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) Newspapers.com
GAME ENDING No. 29.
Prize Position.
The prize for the shortest and best solution of this ending has been awarded by Mr. C. S. Jacobs to Palmer G. Keeney, of Newport, Ky.
August 20 1901
50 Years Ago Today 20 Aug 1901 (1951), Mon The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
At the conclusion of a chess tournament which had been in progress for the last 30 days under the auspices of the Queen City Chess Club, it was announced that Dr. P. G. Keeney bore the distinction of having virtually distanced all competitors, winning 12 out of 13 games played.
November 14 1901
November 14, 1901 Palmer Gunkel Keeney and Sudie Babcock, Marriage License
May 22 1903
Baby 22 May 1903, Fri The Kentucky Post and Times-Star (Covington, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
Dr. and Mrs. Palmer G. Keeney nee Sadie Babcock, are entertaining a fine eight-pound boy at their home.
November 30 1930
Theimer-Keeney 30 Nov 1930, Sun The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
The score of a game played in the third round of the 1930 fall tournament of the Cincinnati Chess Club:
Ernst Theodore Theimer (white) vs. Dr. Palmer Gunkel Keeney (black)
Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening
August 04 1931
August 04, 1931. Tie Vote. Tuesday morning only 39 out of a total of 95 precincts in Campbellco had been tabulated. Dr. Palmer G. Keeney had a substantial majority in the Republican race for the coroner nomination, while August Helmbold, M.D., appeared to have a safe lead in the Democratic slate.
February 01 1938
Baxter Holds Lead 01 Feb 1938, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
BAXTER HOLDS LEAD
Roger B. Baxter held a slight lead over his opponents yesterday at the halfway point in the Southern Ohio Chess Championship Tournament. Dr. P. G. Keeney is a half game behind Baxter. Winner of the tournament will play the winner from the Northern Ohio district.
February 22 1938
To Play In Title Match 22 Feb 1938, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
TO PLAY IN TITLE MATCH.
Roger B. Baxter, new chess champion of Southern Ohio and Northern Kentucky, will play for the Ohio championship, it was announced yesterday. It is expected that the title match will take place at the Cincinnati Chess Club, Mercantile Library Building, in early March. Because of a defeat by Baxter in the annual tournament sponsored by the Ohio Valley Chess Federation, Dr. P. G. Keeney, present Ohio champion, will not be eligible for play in the state championship affair. Baxter's victory earned him possession of the Dr. H. H. Slutz Chess Championship Trophy.
March 12 1938
March 12, 1938. “I Must Have Lost My Head.”
“I was nervous after working on this case,” he said, referring to the case tried Friday. “I'm sorry this thing happened. I must have lost my head.”
The verdict which angered Keeney was given Friday night in the suit by the estates of four Kentucky men to recover damages from the Chesapeake & Ohio and the Louisville & Nashville railroads for a fatal auto accident several years ago.
The four men were killed when their car plunged from the Central Bridge in Newport. A previous trial had resulted in verdicts totaling $47,500 for the plaintiffs. The railroads appealed the verdicts and a new trial was granted.
March 15 1938
Keeney Charged After Assault 15 Mar 1938, Tue The Kentucky Post and Times-Star (Covington, Kentucky) Newspapers.com
KEENEY CHARGED AFTER ASSAULT
Accusations Made by Caldwell; Defendant Arrested and Released on Bond
Arrested late yesterday on an assault and battery charge preferred by Circuit Judge A. M. Caldwell, Clarke E. Keeney, attorney who is alleged to have attacked the jurist in his home early Saturday, will be given a preliminary hearing Thursday at 10 a.m. before County Judge Odis W. Bertelsman.
Mr. Keeney was arrested at the home of his father Dr. P. G. Keeney, 107 Bonnie Leslie avenue, South Bellevue, by Chief Len Plummer and Oscar Wells, county patrolman. He was released later under a $1000 bond. He gave his age as 32 and his residence as 25 E. Third street, Newport.
Judge Caldwell has adjourned all activities in his court for one week upon advice of his physician. The judge sustained face bruises and injuries to his side as the result of the attack. He was examined yesterday by his physician as it was believed he had sustained a fractured rib in the altercation. There was a severe bruise but no fracture, the physician reported.
Mr. Keeney attacked Judge Caldwell and threatened to kill him, Judge Caldwell charges.
The committee named by J. Garvey Davis president of the Campbell County Bar Association has started its investigation of the alleged assault.
Lawyer Awaits Trial For Attack on Judge 15 Mar 1938, Tue The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
LAWYER AWAITS TRIAL FOR ATTACK ON JUDGE
Newport Attorney Being Held Under $1000 Bond
Clarke Keeney, 32, Newport attorney was under $1000 bond Tuesday awaiting hearing of an assault and battery charge against him in Campbell County Court. The charge was filed by Judge A. M. Caldwell of Campbell Circuit Court as the result of an attack on him Saturday at the judge's home, 432 Ward avenue, Bellevue.
Meanwhile a committee appointed by the Campbell County Bar Association has begun its investigation of the alleged attack and to expected to complete its report late this week.
Keeney was arrested late Monday at the home of his father, Dr P. G. Keeney, Bellevue physician, by Campbell county patrolmen. The alleged assault occurred after Keeney had lost a damage suit in court.
Lawyer Under Arrest For Assaulting Judge; Victim Is Ill At Home 15 Mar 1938, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Lawyer Under Arrest For Assaulting Judge; Victim Is Ill At Home
Clarke Keeney, attorney, who is accused of having assaulted Judge A. M. Caldwell of Campbell Circuit Court, Newport, Ky., in the jurist's home, 452 Ward Avenue, Bellevue, early Saturday, was arrested on an assault and battery warrant sworn to by Judge Caldwell yesterday.
Campbell County Police Chief Len Plummer and Patrolman Oscar Wells, arrested Keeney at the home of his father, Dr. P. G. Keeney, 107 Bonnie Leslie Avenue, South Bellevue. Keeney, who is 32 years old, gave his address as 25 East Third Street, Newport.
“The entire thing is unfortunate. I just lost my head,” Keeney told Chief Plummer at the time of his arrest.
Injuries that Judge Caldwell received in the encounter with Keeney prevented him from appearing in court yesterday. Swearing of a petit jury for the hearing of cases this week was postponed until tomorrow.
Physicians attending Judge Caldwell said yesterday that in addition to a bruised face he received a probable rib fracture. Because of the jurist's age, special precautions are being taken to prevent pneumonia.
In reporting the incident Saturday, Judge Caldwell said Keeney came to his home at 2 o'clock Saturday morning and awakened him by incessant ringing of the doorbell. When the Judge answered the door call, Keeney asked to use the telephone.
After making a call, Keeney suddenly turned upon Judge Caldwell and accused him of being responsible for the loss of a damage suit heard in Circuit Court Friday.
Despite the Judge's explanation that equal opportunity was given to both sides in the hearing, Keeney turned upon the Judge abruptly and struck him on the chin, it was said. Another blow was reported to have knocked Judge Caldwell over a chair. The Judge then fled to a rear yard. A neighbor called Bellevue Police. Keeney was gone when they arrived.
The Campbell County Bar Association is investigating the attack. It is expected to make recommendations the latter part of this week.
Keeney's bond was set at $1,000.
June 28 1938
Judge Is Appointed For Lunacy Hearing of Bellevue Attorney 28 Jun 1938, Tue The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Judge Is Appointed For Lunacy Hearing Of Bellevue Attorney
Chief Justice James W. Stites of the Kentucky Court of Appeals announced yesterday the appointment of Judge W. H. Fulton, Bardstown, as Special Judge to sit in the lunacy hearing against Clarke E. Keeney, Bellevue attorney, whose hearing is scheduled for today.
The lunacy warrant against the attorney, who is in Alexandria County Jail, was sworn to by his father, Dr. P. G. Keeney.
Keeney was committed to jail 10 days ago after he was alleged to have rammed deliberately a Newport police cruiser with his automobile.
A recent grand jury indicted Keeney on an assault charge in connection with an attack upon Judge A. M. Caldwell.
Last week Keeney suddenly became violent in the jail. Since then he has been in solitary confinement.
June 29 1938
Keeney Taken To Institution 29 Jun 1938, Wed The Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
KEENEY TAKEN TO INSTITUTION
Young Attorney Adjudged of Unsound Mind Following Doctor's Testimony
Adjudged insane and termed “extremely dangerous,” Clarke E. Keeney, Newport attorney, today was confined in the Lakeland Asylum for the Insane.
The 34-year-old attorney whose escapades of violence included an attack upon Circuit Judge A. M. Caldwell and the wrecking of a police cruiser was not brought into court late yesterday when his lunacy inquest was called by Special Judge Will H. Fulton of Bardstown.
Immediately after a Jury adjudged him of unsound mind, Keeney was taken to Lakeland by Deputies Don Hindersman and Louis Ewing.
Several months ago Keeney went to Judge Caldwell's home and beat the jurist severely because he had lost a civil action in Judge Coldwell's court. Two weeks ago two Newport patrolmen had taken Mr. Keeney's wife from the attorneys auto after she said her husband had abused her.
When the police cruiser was taking Mrs. Keeney to a Bellevue home, Mr. Keeney purposely drove his auto into the rear of the police car. Committed to the Alexandria Jail for this offense, Mr. Keeney became violent and had to be placed in solitary confinement.
Three physicians Dr. C. E. Shinkle and Dr. Charles Kiely of Cincinnati and Dr. H. C. White, Kenton county health officer testified the attorney was of unsound mind and “extremely dangerous.”
The lunacy charge was preferred against the lawyer by his father, Dr. P. G. Keeney of Bellevue.
Clarke E. Keeney Removed To Central State Hospital 29 Jun 1938, Wed The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
Attorney Adjudged Insane; Clarke E. Keeney Removed To Central State Hospital
Clarke E. Keeney, 34 years old, Newport and Bellevue attorney, was adjudged insane yesterday by a jury in Campbell Circuit Court, Newport. Special Judge William H. Fulton, Bardstown, Ky., presided at the hearing.
Lunacy charges were filed against Keeney by his father, Dr. P. G. Keeney, Bellevue physician. He was taken to Central State Hospital, Lakeland, immediately after the trial.
Keeney recently attacked Judge A. M. Caldwell, Campbell Circuit Court, after a case in which Keeney was an attorney had been decided against him. He also drove his automobile into a Newport police cruiser.
Dr. C. E. Shinkle, Cincinnati alienist, who examined Keeney at Alexandria Jail, said the attorney was suffering with a form of lunacy known as “schizophrenia.”
Dr. Charles Kiely, another Cincinnati alienist, testified that Keeney was of unsound mind, uncertain, impulsive, and dangerous. He formed his opinion from a history of the case and from observations of Keeney in Newport Jail yesterday.
Another physician, Dr. Henry Clay White, Kenton County Health officer, also examined Keeney in Newport Jail. He declared the young man was of unsound mind and should be confined in an institution.
Charles Kemper, Campbell County jailer, told the jury that Keeney appeared to be alright at times, while at other times he became unruly and had to be placed in solitary confinement, which, one time necessitated the calling of Campbell County police to aid in locking him in a cell.
Newport Patrolmen Joseph Walters and Ollie Powers testified to being called by Mrs. Keeney the night of June 17 to take her from her husband's automobile, and later of Keeney's action in ramming his automobile against the rear of the police car in Bellevue, which led to his confinement in County Jail.
A crowd filled the courtroom yesterday afternoon expecting to see the defendant, Keeney remained in Newport Jail.
March 12, 1938, Judge Caldwell Is Assaulted By Angered Lawyer
March 15, 1938, Lawyer Under Arrest For Assaulting Judge; Victim Is Ill at Home
March 16, 1938, Attorney To Be Tried
March 16, 1938, Attorney In Court Tomorrow
March 18, 1938, Keeney Case Goes to Jury For Inquiry
March 19, 1938, Bar Committee May Report on Attack Monday
March 19, 1938, Examination Waived by Attorney
March 21, 1938, Keeney Will Face Charges By Bar Group
April 09, 1938, Formal Charge Against Keeney
June 15, 1938, Attorney Indicted
June 23, 1938, Attorney Has Fit of Violence
June 24, 1938, Clarke Keeney In Solitary; Lunacy Trial Is Scheduled
June 28, 1938, Judge Is Appointed For Lunacy Hearing of Bellevue Attorney
June 29, 1938, Attorney Who Attacked Judge Is Held Insane
June 29, 1938, Attorney Is Adjudged Insane by Campbell County Judge-C. E. Keeney Removed to Sanitorium.
July 18 1938
Collision 18 Jul 1938, Mon The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) Newspapers.com
An automobile driven by Dr. P. G. Keeney, 107 Bonnie Leslie Avenue, Bellevue, and a South Bellevue bus operated by Charles McCarthy, 1304 Greenup Street, Covington, collided on Taylor Avenue, Bellevue, Saturday. Dr. Keeney and occupants of the bus escaped injury. Patrolmen Edward Hausfeld and Paul Raver cited Dr. Keeney and McCarthy on charges of reckless driving. They will be arraigned in Bellevue Police Court, tomorrow night.
'til the world understands why Robert J. Fischer criticised the U.S./British and Russian military industry imperial alliance and their own Israeli Apartheid. Sarah Wilkinson explains: Tweets by swilkinsonbc |
 “What a sad story Fischer was,” typed a racist, pro-imperialist colonial troll who supports mega-corporation entities over human rights, police state policies & white supremacy. |
To which I replied: “Really? I think he [Bob Fischer] stood up to the broken system of corruption and raised awareness! Whether on the Palestinian/Israel-British-U.S. Imperial Apartheid scam, the Bush wars of ‘7 countries in 5 years,’ illegally, unconstitutionally which constituted mass xenocide or his run in with police brutality in Pasadena, California-- right here in the U.S., police run rampant over the Constitution of the U.S., on oath they swore to uphold, but when Americans don't know the law, and the cops either don't know or worse, “don't care” -- then I think that's pretty darn “sad”. I think Mr. Fischer held out and fought the good fight, steadfast til the day he died, and may he Rest In Peace. Educate yourself about U.S./State Laws -- https://www.youtube.com/@AuditTheAudit/videos After which the troll posted a string of profanities, confirming there was never any genuine sentiment of “compassion” for Mr. Fischer, rather an intent to inflict further defamatory remarks. |
This ongoing work is a tribute to the life and accomplishments of Robert “Bobby” Fischer who passionately loved and studied chess history. May his life continue to inspire many other future generations of chess enthusiasts and kibitzers, alike.
March 9, 1943 - January 17, 2008The photograph of Bobby Fischer (above) from the March 02, 1956 The Tampa Times was discovered by Sharon Mooney (Bobby Fischer Newspaper Archive editor) on February 01, 2018 while gathering research materials for this ongoing newspaper archive project. Along with lost games now being translated into Algebraic notation and extractions from over two centuries of newspapers, it is but one of the many lost treasures to be found in the pages of old newspapers since our social media presence was first established November 11, 2017.
