AJune 01 1937
The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, California, Tuesday, June 01, 1937
Death Plays Final Move In Tourney
Death played the final move in a tragic denouement of the annual Northern-Southern California Chess tournament held here Sunday.
Two of the contestants who played here were killed and a third critically injured in a head-on crash south of Ventura as they were returning to Los Angeles.
Victims
The dead were Dr. Robert R. Griffith of Beverly Hills and a Miss Smith of Los Angeles. Herman Steiner, chess editor of the Los Angeles Times, who played number one board for the Southern team was severely injured.
Fred Develos of Fillmore, driver of the other car, also was killed.
Dr. Griffith and Miss Smith had been dinner guests Saturday night of C. J. Smith, local chess enthusiast and sponsor of the meet.
Outcome Undetermined
The outcome of the tournament Sunday has not been finally determined, according to Smith.
The game was ended at 5:30 p.m. when the team leaders agreed to stop play on board 25 and submit the positions to a New York expert for adjudication.
The score at present stands 12½ for the Northerners to 11½ for the Southerners.
At No. 1 board, Steiner of Los Angeles defeated A. J. Fink of San Francisco.
A few hours before his death, Dr. Griffith, playing No. 2 board, lost his game to William P. Barlow of Oakland.
