AJanuary 02 1922
Gruer Undefeated in S. F. Chess Tourney 02 Jan 1922, Mon Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Gruer Undefeated in S F Chess Tourney
Special Dispatch to the Evening Express
San Francisco, Jan 2—Sunday results in the chess tournament follow:
Wockoff defeated Fink in 34 moves; Gruer defeated Borochow in 52 moves, opening Vienna; Mlotkowski defeated Swanson in 70 moves, Hungarian opening; Borochow defeated Hallwegen in 80 moves; Smith draws with Clarke in 75 moves, Ruy Lopez opening. First four percentage rating gives Gruer, 100; Mlotkowski, 92; Clarke, 75; Borochow, 56.
Saturday's results follow: Mlotkowski defeated Fink in 64 moves; Clarke defeated Borochow in 69 moves; Swanson defeated Smith in 30 moves; Gruer defeated Moskoff in 45 moves; Metzke drew with Lovegrove in 51 moves.
January 04 1922
Oaklander Leads For Chess Title 04 Jan 1922, Wed Bakersfield Morning Echo (Bakersfield, California) Newspapers.com
Oaklander Leads For Chess Title
San Francisco, Jan. 3.—Standing of the contestants for the state chess championship remained unchanged yesterday at the close of the seventh rounds.
E. W. Gruer, of Oakland, with seven straight victories, led the field, with S. Mlotkowski, of Los Angeles, standing second, only half a game behind. H. Borochow, of Los Angeles, with six won and four lost, was eliminated, standing fourth after he had finished his tenth game, which is all contestants are required to play.
E. J. Clarke, of San Francisco, with five won and two lost was standing third.
Results in the seventh rounds were:
Victory of Gruer over B. Smith, of San Francisco, in 36 moves, Queen's Pawn.
Draw Clarke vs. Mlotkowski, 73 moves. Queen's Gambit declined.
Victory of A. J. Fink, of San Francisco, over S. Swanson, 33 moves, two Knights defense.
Victory of H. Borochow of Los Angeles over C. Woskoff, of San Francisco, in 32 moves, Guioco Piano.
Victory of William Metzke, of Fresno, over George Hallwegen, 59 moves, French Defense opening.
January 12 1922
E. W. Gruer of Oakland is the winner of the first annual California chess championship tournament, just completed at San Francisco. S. Mlotkowski of Los Angeles won second prize. The final scores of all participants will be shown in next Thursday's column. Below are shown the two games which Gruer won from the Los Angeles representatives.
Stasch Mlotkowski (white) vs. Elmer Gruer (black)
Scotch Game: Benima Defense
January 15 1922
Chess 15 Jan 1922, Sun San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com
In last Sunday's column reference was made to the Evans gambit (Mlotkowski vs. Metzke), which the latter won. It appears that the Los Angeles expert missed a winning combination. As it was, Mlotkowski studied the position so long that he was in time difficulties. “Mlot” couldn't fathom the position beyond Black's apparently sufficient defense of Q-K3, pointed out in analysis below. After considerable study, it remained for A. J. Fink and Frank Maus of San Jose, a well known problem fan, to point out the correct procedure. Curiously enough, precisely the same tactics were employed by the great Paul Morphy in one of his immortal games. (See Lowenthal's “Morphy Games,” page 155). Mlotkowski may well be excused for not finding the win. A fast ticking clock gets on one's nerves and often a game becomes more a fight against time. Following is the score.
Stasch Mlotkowski (white) vs. William Metzke (black)
Unresolved Chess Game: Can you solve it?
April 09 1922
April 09, 1922. The following analysis in the form of a game was forwarded by Stasch Mlotkowski, formerly a well-known player in this city, but now residing at Los Angeles, Cal., to the British Chess Magazine. The analysis is of great value to the student of the Evans Gambit and sets forth a powerful attack against Lasker's Defense to the Evans' Gambit. This defense by Black's giving back the Gambit Pawn was supposed to have yielded Black decidedly the preferable game. The present analysis shows an interesting sacrifice of a piece by the White forces whereby the attack is continued for many moves.
April 13 1922
April 13, 1922. U. S. C. A. Officers to Meet. Walter Penn Shipley of Philadelphia, president of the United States Chess Association, has called a meeting of the officers for Saturday afternoon, April 22, at the rooms of the Manhattan Chess Club. … The following are the officers of the United States Chess Association: … Stasch Mlotkowski.
April 20 1922
Mlotkowski - Perry Consultation 20 Apr 1922, Thu Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Last year's local champion, E. R. Perry contributes the following consultation game, which was played recently at the Los Angeles Chess Club. S. Mlotkowski and G. D. Gowdy playing the Whites, and Mr. Perry and R. W. Lewis the Blacks. It is quite an instructive game and mighty well played considering that the time limit of 40 moves an hour permitted very little analysis of the many complicated positions.
(a) Black threatened P-KB4 opening up his game; the text prevents same, but weakens white's kingside pawns.
(b) Better might have been 19. PxP R-KN; 20. B-B2 BxPch; 21. K-R (white now seems safe) N-N6ch; 22. BxN RxB; 24. R-KN QR-KN; 25. RxR RxR; 26. R-KN R-R6; 27. B-Q P-B4; 28. Q-N2 and black's seeming best line of attack is frustrated, while white is a pawn to the good. The time limit of 40 moves an hour naturally permitted but little analysis of this complicated position.
(c) Initiating a very interesting and winning attack.
(d) Of course, if KxR then N-K7ch.
Stasch Mlotkowski/G. D. Gowdy (white) vs. E. R. Perry/R. W. Lewis (black)
Scotch Game: Benima Defense
June 15 1922
Consultation Game 15 Jun 1922, Thu Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Conservative chess is often the best chess but seldom the most entertaining. Six members of the Los Angeles Chess Club participated recently in a friendly consultation game marked by speculative ventures which highly entertained players and spectators alike. Following a clever combination White's twenty-fifth move trapped the Black King in a “mate in one” position which stood while Black, through a series of 16 consecutive checks most accurately calculated, forced the White King clear across the board and effected mate.
NOTES BY GRABILL AND MUGRIDGE
(a) The exchange variation of the French is commonly supposed to lead to a dull game.
(b) Better B-K3 followed, if NxN, by QxN, leading to an even game.
(c) NxN better when by BxB, White keeps two Bishops and the freer game. (Not 12. QxNP because of Q-K2ch and B-K4.)
(d) Now White threatens N-B6 mate, as well as QxRch—which Black overlooked.
(e) A queer-looking move, but after K-B; PxB, White threatens Q-N4ch and N-Q7ch.
(f) Black's last two moves in combination seem the only chance on the fourteenth move any number of continuations, such as B-K4, N-B4, etc., were examined but found wanting.
(g) White here discards the winning continuation and embarks on a sacrifice which, though promising proves unsound. 21. N-B5 leaves Black without resource, for instance: Q-QB; 22. N-R4ch K-R4 (if K-R2; 23. RxP); 23. R-B5ch KxN (or P-N4 RxBP); 24. KR-B4ch N-N5; 25. P-N3ch K-R6; 26. R-R5ch K-N7; 27. QxPch and mate next move.
(h) White had the following odd draw: QxQ NxQ; 24. RxNP and Black must submit to perpetual check or loss, but a draw was not White's ambition.
(i) If White continues P-N3ch K-R6; R-R5ch K-N7; QxN threatening mate in two then K-N8! saves the game for Black. The text threatens a mate which seems unavoidable except by giving up the Queen, but Black finds a way out.
(j) The idea of this move is to enter the White camp with the Queen giving a series of checks on the seventh and eighth ranks and ending by taking the QNP, preventing the mate and winning easily. The sacrifice of a Rook is necessary to carry out the plan.
(k) This move, to give Black the necessary continued checks, was probably overlooked in White's earlier analysis when sacrificing.
(l) If K-K3 then R-Kch mates in 4.
(m) 1. Q-B5ch; 2. Q-B3ch; 3. R-B2ch K-K8; 4. Q-K3ch; 5. Q-Q3ch; 6. Q or R mates. A most lively and interesting game if not sound chess. The position of the Kings at the finish is amusing.
Whipple, Grabill, Mlotkowski (W) vs. (B) Mugridge, Gowdy, Sherwood
French Defense: Exchange Variation
September 06 1922
12 Chess Experts In State Tourney 06 Sep 1922, Wed Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
12 CHESS EXPERTS IN STATE TOURNEY
There is a tremendous expenditure of mental energy in the east squash ball court on the eighth floor of the Los Angeles Athletic Club where the second annual tournament to determine the chess championship of California is in progress. It opened on Monday and will continue until September 15 from 1 to 5 and 7 to 11 p.m. week days. Spectators are admitted free and seated in the gallery where they may witness from 5,000 to 10,000 horsepower of brain force in action The tournament is held under the auspices of the athletic club and the Los Angeles Chess and Checker Club and the committee in charge consists of Commodore B. T. Walling, L. A. A. C., chairman and referee; E. W. Grabill, L. A. C. and C. C., secretary; H. T. Rudisill, L. A. A. C. treasurer; Stasch Mlotkowski and Harry Borochow.
ONE DOZEN EXPERTS
It is a battle between a dozen experts at a game that has no limit to its combinations the players being as follows;
Stasch Mlotkowski, representing the L. A. A. C., former champion of Pennsylvania and several times holder of the Los Angeles title.
Everett R. Perry, Los Angeles public library, last year city champion.
Harry Borochow, L. A. C. and C. C., present champion of Los Angeles.
A. J. Fink, Bernardo Smith and J. F. Smithe, Mechanics Institute Chess Club, San Francisco. Messrs. Fink and Smith have held the championship of the northern city.
Edward F. Schrader, Cabrillo Club, San Diego champion of that city and former possessor of the St. Louis title.
R F Lyon, unattached, champion of Boston last year.
G. S. G. Patterson, University of Southern California.
SCHOOLBOY PLAYER
Charles H. Whipple, Jr., Ethelbert W. Grabill and Donald W. Mugridge, L. A. C. and C. C. The last named is a young schoolboy and a brilliant player.
The present state champion, E. W. Gruer, was invited, but went East to participate in the Western championship tourney.
The first day Mlotkowski drew with Mugridge, Fink beat Smythe, Lyon forfeited to Whipple, Smith beat Grabill, Borochow beat Patterson and Schrader drew with Perry.
Yesterday's result:
Smythe beat Mlotkowski, Borochow won from Smith, Patterson beat Schrader, Lyon won from Fink and Perry drew with Mugridge.
Mr. Borochow now is clear in the lead with 2 points.
September 07 1922
Score in Third Round of Champ Chess Tilts 07 Sep 1922, Thu Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Score in Third Round of Champ Chess Tilts
The state championship chess tourneys being held at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, produced the following results at the completion of the third round last night: Borochow 1, Lyon 0: Patterson 1, Grabill 0; Mugridge 1, Smith 0; Smythe 0, Schrader 1; Whipple ½, Perry ½; Fink ½, Mlotkowski ½.
Harry Borochow, Los Angeles champion, is now leading 3 to 0. The 17-year-old local high school expert, Donald Mugridge and the 19-year-old local university star, G. S. G. Patterson, are surprising the oldtimers by trailing the leader with a 2-to-1 score each.
September 10, 1922. Youth Leading in State Chess Championships. … Out of a possible five points, the players now stand: Mugridge, 3½; Patterson, 3; Mlotkowski, 3; … The game between Mlotkowski and Patterson yesterday afternoon was the shortest so far played, Patterson resigning on his eleventh move.
September 11 1922
6th Round of State Chess Tourney Over 11 Sep 1922, Mon Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
6th Round of State Chess Tourney Over
The sixth round of the state chess championship tourney was completed Saturday at the Los Angeles Athletic Club with the following results: Borochow won from Perry, Fink won from Mugridge, Lyon and Grabill drew, Smyth defeated Whipple, Patterson lost to B. Smith, Mlotkowski and Schrader drew.
Harry Borochow is now leading 4½ to 1½ with A. J. Fink of San Francisco second with 4 to 2. Mugridge, Lyon, Mlotkowski, Schrader and Smith are tied for third place with 3½ to 2½ each.
A meeting of chess players was held yesterday at the L. A. A. C. to take preliminary steps in the organizing of a state chess association.
September 14 1922
Mlotkowski-Smyth 14 Sep 1922, Thu Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Even though Mlotkowski has not been in his best form for several months, whenever he loses everyone wants to know how it is done. In this case it is not entirely luck, because the winner is an accomplished player, being best known as winner of the brilliancy prize in the 1920 San Fracisco tourney. Introducing J. F. Smythe, Oakland, and a game from the pending state championship tourney.
(a) Chess blindness! Mlotkowski afterward said he intended to play RxR first and then Q-R5, but blindly made the second move first.
Stasch Mlotkowski (white) vs. J. F. Smythe (black)
Caro-Kann Defense
September 16 1922
Chess Interest Turns To Second Prize Race 16 Sep 1922, Sat Los Angeles Evening Express (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Chess Interest Turns To Second Prize Race
First prize in the state chess championship tourney at the Los Angeles Athletic Club having been decided, interest in the final round yesterday centered on the play for the other prizes. Lyon won from Mugridge: Mlotkowski won from Perry; Schrader and Grabill drew; Smith won from Smythe; Fink won from Patterson; Borochow won from Whipple.
A. J. Fink of San Francisco won first prize of $100, a gold medal, and temporary possession of the cup donated by Brock and Company which becomes the permanent property of the player first winning it three times.
R. F. Lyon and Harry Borochow both of Los Angeles tied for second and third prizes. E. F. Schrader of San Diego, S. Mlotkowski of Los Angeles and B. Smith of San Francisco tied for fourth and fifth prizes.
September 21 1922
September 21, 1922. California championship was won by A. J. Fink of San Francisco. … The winner's record against the three Los Angeles aces was not so good, he losing to Lyon and drawing with Borochow and Mlotkowski, winning all his other games. … E. F. Schrader, San Diego champion, won fourth prize, $60. S. Mlotkowski, Los Angeles, and B. Smith, San Francisco, divided fifth prize, $50.
November 19 1922
November 19, 1922. Mlotkowski vs. Peterson, 1922, Analysis.
December 24 1922
Officers Elected 24 Dec 1922, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
AMONG THE FANS
At the annual meeting of the local club held December 15th the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, C. B. McGinnis; Vice-president, Stasch Mlotkowski; Secretary, D. M. Bowes; Treasurer, A. Wallace; Board of Directors, J. W. Watson, Ralph C. Lane and George Patterson.
