AFebruary 01 1948
Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, February 01, 1948
Miami Chesswoman To Play Simultaneous Matches Tuesday
Mrs. Mary Bain of Miami, Florida, runner-up in the National Woman's Championship tournament, will play simultaneously against 25 St. Petersburg Knights, on Tuesday evening, Feb. 3rd at 7 o'clock in the clubhouse at 540 4th Ave. N.
While attending high school in her native Hungary, Mary Bain found chess quite popular among the pupils and on returning to her country home, she expressed a desire to learn the game. Her mother who had played chess in her youth, taught Mary the first moves. The latter became an immediate chess enthusiast. Shortly after the first world war she left Hungary for her first exhibition game in America. She expected a dull and lonely ocean trip because, although she spoke Rumanian, German and Ukrainian fluently, she knew no English. When on the first day out, the steward passed out games, Mrs. Bain asked for a chess set, planning to amuse herself with the game. Apparently the passenger list was filled with chess players, and the next day her German - speaking acquaintance and the ship's captain made a date with her for a game in the evening. When she arrived in the salon, many passengers were gathered to watch the match. It was Mary Bain's first exhibition game and she won.
Here in America, she attended schools to learn the English language and not long afterward she married Leslie Bain, a young chess playing journalist.
A FEW YEARS ago, Mrs. Bain moved to Miami, Florida and from there, has traveled about the country to enter various tournaments. In 1939 she finished in a three way tie for first place, in 1945 she tied for first place, and in 1946 she won 2nd place in the Women's National Championship Tournament. In the same year she played in the Southern Chess Association Tournament here in St. Petersburg and carried off first prize in the Women's tourney.
The St. Petersburg Knights:—
E. J. Dowling, E. M. Weeks, J. Szold, P. Van Arsdale, W. Crispin, A. E. McGinnis, J. C. Percy, B. I. Warner, George Jackson, G. F. Willey, W. L. Leighton, R. Shaw, L. Guthridge, G. Cook, W. E. Thomas, Dr. E. R. Miner, M. Thomis, P. McKenna, George Presstman, R. J. Conley, L. Zydek, Charles Thompson, R. A. Block, I. Ryan, Eric Norberg, and Albert Mailhot will do their utmost to uphold the Chess honor of the club against this formidably friendly enemy.
February 08 1948
Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, February 08, 1948
Mailhot, Chess Veteran, Slated For Simultaneous Play Tuesday
Albert Mailhot of The Times was born in Lowell, Mass. where he received his early education in the public school system of that city.
Later he attended the Mergenthaler School of Brooklyn, N.Y., where he graduated in linotyping. Newspaper positions followed: Winchester Star, Poughkeepsie Herald, Lawrence (Mass), Evening Tribune, Andover Townsman, and he now is with the St. Petersburg Times.
Mailhot learned chess as a high school student but was not a serious player until 4 years ago when he was taken under the wing of Charles S. Jacobs, former chess champion of Canada and later, champion of Boston. In the Mass. State Minor Rapid Transit Tournament, Mailhot won first place. In the St. Petersburg Chess club he ranks among the top players. This winter he was a winner in the Florida-California state team match and twice a winner in simultaneous match last Tuesday he was conceded a draw.
On Tuesday evening, Feb. 9th at 7 o'clock Mailhot will match his skill against 10 contestants in simultaneous play.
The Mary Bain simultaneous exhibition ended happily for all competitors. Mary won 13 games, drew 5 and lost 6. On the other hand the Knights were proud of their 6 wins and 5 draws against so strong an opponent.
March 14 1948
Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sunday, March 14, 1948
Women's Chess Tourney Slated Tuesday Night
Mrs. Mildred Thomis was born in Mattoon, Ill. and received her early education in the public schools of Mattoon and Chicago, Ill. Later she took nursing training at the Chicago Hospital after which she majored in landscape gardening at the Western State University at Kalamazoo, Mich.
Less than two years ago Mildred joined the Chess Club and took advantage of the chess lessons included in the membership dues. This she did so thoroughly that this winter she drew her game in simultaneous play against Mary Bain. W. E. Thomis, Mildred's husband, is not only a chess player but a checker enthusiast and President of the American Checker Association. The chess-checker appeal was so strong that Dr. and Mrs. Thomis have purchased a winter residence here. In the summer months in Detroit, Mich., Mildred finds use for her landscape training, in the American Evergreen Nurseries which she and Dr. Thomis own.
Mrs. Thomis will captain chess team against the team lead by Captain Elizabeth Miner in a Women's Chess tournament at the Divan on Tuesday evening March 16th at 7 o'clock. The contestants are—Dr. Elizabeth Miner vs. Mildred Thomis: Irene Hermann vs. Mo11ie Brandt; Mary Ellen Stubbs vs Henrietta Argenbright; Marie Caldwell vs. Lillian Carlyle; Edna Haas vs. Agnes Wakerley; Margaret DeChant vs. Marjorie McKenna; Florence Baker vs Mary Codrington; Louise Grass vs. Virginia Wells; Madeline Cassidy vs. Jean Zydek; Mary Breck vs. Avis Wadsworth; Grace Brown vs. Johanna Glacy; Beatrice Hulten vs. Henrietta Pearson. Visitors are welcome. See how the women play chess and enjoy it! Social evening with light refreshments follows.
April 27 1948
1948, Divorce of Mary Bain, Chess Champion and Leslie B. Bain.
