January 31 1954
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sunday, January 31, 1954
Chess Experts Stage First Match on Radio
By T. M. Cherington
Chess Editor
If you were to tune in today between 11:00 a. m. and 5:00 p. m. to W3KXU on 3980 kilo cycles you would hear the first transmission of a chess match by short wave from this city.
The Chess Club of Pittsburgh has its eight best men playing the class of the combined clubs of Washington, D. C.
In Washington the Navy transmitter in the Pentagon is carrying the eight games, move by move, to the Pittsburgh players in the home of William S. Potter at 415 Maple Ave., Edgewood.
Potter is a pioneer in radio transmission.
When 14 years old in 1922 he built his first successful spark transmitter powered with an output of seven watts. He was granted a license and frequently was in contact with Dr. Conrad's KDKA from his home in Bellefonte. Those seven watts were heard as far away as Oregon.
NOW 1,000 WATTS
Today the equipment on Maple Ave. has an output of 1,000 watts and spans the world. The Byrd and McMillan expedition of the thirties were in frequent contact with Bill Potter.
It has been a rewarding work, often vital to isolated communities. More than a hundred countries have been in communication with Bill.
Representing Pittsburgh in the match are Fred Sorenson, a club champion; Paul Dietz of Dormont, who has held the club championship three times, intercollegiate chess champion and Pennsylvania state champion; Bill Byland of Dormont, a club champion, state champion and treasurer of the U. S. Chess Federation is playing, as are: Robert Bornholz, who played top board at New York University; Don McClellan, former state champion, Bob Smith, a club champion, David Hamburger and Paul Roth, metropolitan champion.
FAMED PLAYERS
Washington has the New York champion, Hans Berliner, as well as the famed players, Norman Whitaker, Chauvenette, Mugridge, Stark, Tilles, and a choice of a dozen powerful chessers to make up their team.
Glen Hartleb represents the Washington team here. Actual handling of the moves, a problem where time is of the essence and eight boards are involved, is the burden of your chess editor, assisted by Glenn Waltz, Alex Spitzer and Dave Spiro. Rules are for forty moves in two hours and twenty moves per hour thereafter.
A successful experience today means matches with France, Yugoslavia, Holland, South Africa, and Australia. The undertaking is a tremendous challenge to the skill of Bill Potter in maintaining clear contact in a most difficult transmitting situation. Tune in your short wave and join the fun. Set up a board and follow a master game.
