December 14 1898
Buffalo Courier Express, Buffalo, New York, Wednesday, December 14, 1898
Lasker's Return To Chess
The return to active chess of the world's champion, Emanuel Lasker, after a long absence, is hailed with delight on all sides and chess circles everywhere are on the qui vive to learn the kind of form he is displaying and to peruse samples of his play. Previous to starting on his tour of England he lectured before several of the London clubs and proved a most entertaining instructor. On one occasion specimens of Morphy's games formed the subject of his lecture and he paid a high tribute to the genius of the deceased American master, a graceful act that proved very popular. After inaugurating his exhibition tour with a clean sweep on 22 boards at the Ladies' Chess Club in London, he supplemented this with 20 straight victories against as many opponents at the Town Hall of Basingstoke. At Plymouth he lost but 1 in a total of 31 games. 10 of these being declared draw on account of lack of time, while at Falmonth he again won every game. In many places where exhibitions are given on a large scale, the players participating are taxed two shillings and six pence, and spectators are admitted at one shilling a head. The champion's movements, which are always a matter of extreme interest to followers of the game, will hereafter excite the greatest curiosity, particularly in view of the fact that he will be a contestant in the big London tournament next May and that a match between him and Pillsbury in the near future is looked upon as a certainty.
In an interview shortly after his arrival he said, in answer to a question as to why he had abstained from chess so long, that when he took up the game some years ago in a manner which occupied all his time and energies he had not finished his university career. During the last two years he has made up the deficiency by studying for six months at Heidelberg and for twelve months at Berlin. When asked about the forthcoming international tournament he declared his readiness to compete next year. In the meantime he might possibly make a visit of short duration to the United States.
A number of Lasker's recent games have come to hand and will furnish an excellent idea of just what kind of chess he is now playing. All contain traces of the master hand and are full of the subtlety for which he is so famous.
