ASeptember 05 1953
The Gazette and Daily, York, Pennsylvania, Saturday, September 05, 1953
State Chess Tourney Starts Here
Photo by The Gazette and Daily
Registration, Round Robin Competition Held
Thirty persons warmed up for the 15th annual Pennsylvania State Chess tournament with a round robin rapid transit tourney last night at Hotel Yorktowne. The seven-round tournament to name a state chess champion will begin today and will continue until Monday.
Above, W. M. Byland, seated left, Pittsburgh, 1949 state champion, registers for the tournament with local chairman, Attorney Jeffrey C. Bortner, also seated. Standing from left are E. A. Coons, Sewickley, secretary-treasurer of the state federation; D. A. Giangiulio, state president; William A. Ruth, Collingswood, N. J., chess master emeritus, winner of six state titles and chess columnist for Philadelphia Inquirer; and Attilio Di Camillo, Philadelphia, a chess master and two-time state champ.
Di Camillo was winner in the transit tourney by a 7½ to ½ score. Second was Saul Wachs, Philadelphia, 7 to 1. Tied for third were Robert Sobel and 13-year-old Charles Kalme, both of Philadelphia, with 5½ to 2½ scores. Only member of the sponsoring Y chess club to make the finals was Fred Block, Abbottstown. Participants moved every 10 seconds at the ring of a bell.
Participation in last night's play was the highest in any rapid transit tourney in the history of the federation, and state officers predicted at least 50 contestants in the championship sessions. Tourney awards will be made Monday at 6 p.m. State officers will be elected at 1 p.m. today.
Youngest player last night was John Yeagley, nine-year-old son of City Treasurer William B. Yeagley, president of Y Chess club.
