September 15 1903
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, Tuesday, September 15, 1903
BLACKBURNE AND LEE CHALLENGE MARSHALL.
Brooklyn Chess Master Will Try to Acquire British Championship.
The setback received by Frank J. Marshall, the Brooklyn chess master, when Lasker declined to play him for the world's championship on other than his own terms, has, apparently, in no way caused his seal to abate, and he is now more than ever determined to push for the top rung of the ladder of fame.
A letter just received from the famous Brooklynite at Bradford, England, where he has made his home, states that he has received challenges to play set matches from both J. H. Blackburne, the English champion, and F. J. Lee, another noted British expert, who, two years ago, prior to his trip to Africa, took a prominent part in the annual International cable match.
That overtures should be made to Marshall by such noted exponents of the game is decidedly a feather in the former's cap. After consulting with the Bradford Chess Club, which will furnish the bulk of his backing, Marshall accepted both challenges, and there now remain only the preliminaries before the contests can take place. There is little doubt but that Marshall will be able to account for Lee without endangering his reputation to any serious extent. This may be taken for granted on the strength of the two players records in international masters tournaments. Marshall's record is by far the better, and compares even favorably with that of the veteran Blackburne.
Blackburne, who in his prime was one of the world's greatest tournament players, though never very successful in matches, is still vigorous and dangerous, whom even Lasker has good reason to respect. With youth in his favor and the hard experience gained in the many recent congresses in which he has figured, Marshall will probably enter the contest a prime favorite, though sentiment will prompt many, especially Englishmen, to choose Blackburne as the likely winner.
October 17 1903
The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Saturday, October 17, 1903
Mr. Blackburne.
England's chess champion appears quite restored to his usual health. He recently visited Lublin, and delighted the large number of chess players who attended his display. In the D. B. C. rooms, Sackville street, he played 26 games simultaneously, winning 17, drawing 8, and losing 1. Next evening, blindfolded, he encountered six amateurs, making a score of 5 wins and 1 draw. He is now engaged on his annual tour in the North of England.
