September 02, 1947
Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday, September 02, 1947
Three Winners Display Their Prizes at Conclusion of State Chess Meet
Shown (left to right) are H. A. White, Jr., R. Chauvenet, C. R. Levet
14-Year-Old Grabs Honors From State Chess Champion
The youthful defender of the crown among the elite of Virginia chess enthusiasts, 27-year-old Russell Chauvenet, of Charlottesville, retained his title here yesterday, but not before he had relinquished the competitive limelight to a Richmond lad half his age.
As Mr. Chauvenet still was absorbed in the throes of deep concentration with L. G. Beckham, of RFD 15, playing their final match, Harold A. White, Jr., 14, of 1237 Lorraine Ave., had swept all comers aside in Group B with eight straight victories and no losses.
The 1947 renewal of the Virginia State chess tournament, reaching its conclusion yesterday after three days of play at Hotel Richmond, was even more distinctive in that it featured three father-son combinations.
One of young White's victims, ironically enough, was Louis Chauvenet, the 52-year-old Democratic leader of Charlottesville and the father of the defending champion, who placed third in Group B.
Perhaps even more humbling to the good-natured senior Chauvenet, however, was the fact that another juvenile competitor, W. Leigh Ribble, Jr., of 422 North Sheppard St., a 12-year-old, placed second to young White.
Apparently determined not to be outdone by his son, who was the youngest entrant in this year's tournament, was the Rev. W. Leigh Ribble, Sr., who took second honors in Group A. This division, second only to the championship flight, was won by C. R. Levet, of Petersburg, a newcomer to State tournament circles.
The Rev. Mr. Ribble, whose namesake displayed unusual finesse in playing the ancient game, indicated that the resemblance between father and son in his case thus far extends only to physical appearances and a love for chess.
As for Mr. White, a third-place winner, whose wife is president of the Richmond Chess Club, there was appropriate pride in his tone when he said his son “will be beating me in a day or two.”
Results of the tournament, which was under the direction of S. Ross Owens, according to games won, lost, drawn and final scores, were:
Championship (incomplete): Chauvenet, 6-0-1—6½-½;
Beckham 4-0-3—5½-½;
E. M. Knapp, of Arlington, 4-2-1—4½-2½;
A. T. Henderson, of Lynchburg, 3-4-0—3-4;
W. R. Triplett, of Portsmouth, 1-6-0—1-6;
Nelson Bond, of Roanoke, 1-5-1—1½-5½;
J. M. Palmer, of Norfolk, 1-4-0, and
Edgar Holladay, Charlottesville, 4-2-0 (pending outcome of one game).
Group A: Levet, 5-1-1—5½-1½;
Ribble, Sr., 4-1-2—5-2;
White, Sr., R. G. Cleek, of Richmond, and C. S. Reily, of Richmond, all 3-3-1—3½-1½ (tied for third);
G. B. Spencer, of Portsmouth, 1-3-2—3-4, and E. O. Talmage, of Petersburg, 3-4-0—3-4; C. S. Boggess, of Richmond, 1-6-0—1-6.
Group B: White, Jr., 8-0-0—8-0;
Ribble, Jr., 5-3-0—5-3; Louis Chauvenet, 4-4-0—4-4;
A. C. Abbott, of Roanoke, 2-6-0—2-6, and Mrs. W. K. Compton, of Richmond, 1-7-0—1-7.
