October 31 1919
Muncie Evening Press, Muncie, Indiana, Friday, October 31, 1919
Emanuel Lasker Wrote on Chess During War
One of most interesting letters to reach this country since the ban was lifted on mail from Germany, was from Dr. Emanuel Lasker, world's champion chess player. Dr. Lasker has been in Berlin since the war started, having been on tour of the country when Germany went to war, and being unable to leave.
Dr. Lasker's letter was to officials of the Manhattan Chess Club of New York City and in it he requested the American followers of the game to obtain sufficient engagements to enable him to come here and live in the manner in which he has been accustomed to live.
While the great chess expert does not complain of his lot in Germany, it is plain to be seen from his letter that conditions in the former empire are anything but alluring. He says he has busied himself with writing a book on chess, during the dark days of the war, “because there was nothing else to do.” His request for assistance from his American friends is taken to mean that his little fortune has been lost entirely.
Dr. Lasker was never considered a wealthy man but it is known that he had amassed quite a few worldly possessions through his world-wide tours as a chess player. He has written extensively about the pastime and his works have always been popular with the lovers of the game, especially in this country where they enjoyed a big sale.
Germany was always a fertile field for Dr. Lasker in the days of peace, for the better class in that country were devoted to chess. Since the war, however, chess and all other pastimes have been shelved indefinitely. Dr. Lasker admits chess will not be as popular in Germany for many years. Walter Penn Shipley, of Philadelphia, a leading patron of chess, has interested himself in Dr. Lasker's appeal and will attempt to arrange a season's bookings for the champion through the various chess organizations throughout the country. Jose R. Capablanca, of Havana, is anxious to meet Dr. Lasker for the championship, but he will not press his claim until a reasonable time after Dr. Lasker arrives in this country. An effort will be made to have Dr. Lasker come to the United States in December.
