February 04 1922
The Pioneer, Bemidji, Minnesota, Saturday, February 04, 1922
In The Day's News.
Romance centers round the life of Joseph Henry Blackburne, the veteran English chess player, who just celebrated his 80th birthday. In his youth he was employed in a hosiery store in his native Manchester, but got his discharge because he overstayed his leave while chess-playing in London. He then devoted himself to his favorite game, and when he toured the country his brilliance soon found reward, for he was hailed as a chess genius. In course of time he won the British champi6nship and for many years successfully defended it against all challengers. As the representative of Great Britain he participated in numerous international chess tournaments, meeting such wizards of the board as Capablanca, Lasker and Paulsen. That he still retains his skill despite his four-score years was evidenced in London the other day when he played 20 games simultaneously, winning nine, drawing 10 and being beaten in one by a woman.
