AJune 13 1936
Chess Urged As Stimulus For Juniors 13 Jun 1936, Sat Calgary Herald (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com
CHESS URGED AS STIMULUS FOR JUNIORS
TORONTO, June 13 (C.P.)—High-grade pupils would be assured if chess were taught in the schools, in the opinion of S. A. LeRiche, vice-president of the Queen City Chess Club, and leader in the chess-for-children movement begun in Toronto.
“The mental improvement would bring results.” said Mr. LeRiche. “The whole thing is mathematical training built around combinations on 64 squares on the chess board.”
The youthful stimulus the ancient game will receive came through plans laid by Bernard Freedman, treasurer of the Canadian Chess Federation. Through his efforts came the recent announcement that for the first time boys' championships will feature this year's Dominion chess tournament. It will be held at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, August 29 to September 5.
Mr. Freedman, considered Canada's patron of chess, pioneered with four other players last November in founding the Queen City Chess Club. Special aim was to encourage children. Saturday afternoons throughout the winter 15 or 20 boys engaged in enthusiastic matches and tournaments.
11-year-old Expert
On a recent tour of the west Mr. Freedman discovered a boy expert of great promise. He is A. Yanofsky, an 11-year-old Winnipeg youngster described by Mr. Freedman as “almost a second Reshevsky.”
Yanofsky may possibly attend the Dominion championships and give exhibitions of simultaneous matches. His visit would prove an incentive to young Toronto exponents, who play a good game but lack unusual individual talent.
Mr. LeRiche said the youngsters are sticklers for etiquette. Older players, thinking a move unsound, sometimes take it back, “but not these boys; a move is a move with them.”
“These kids are keen.” he said. “We want to get them playing. It not only keeps them off the streets but assures the growth of chess in Toronto.”
Efforts are under way to have chess included on public school curricula. Royal Canadian Military College at Kingston is believed the only Canadian school having organized chess. Military colleges in the United States demand chess, and it is part of the training at a Milwaukee school.
June 20 1936
Amazes Veterans With Chess-Play 20 Jun 1936, Sat The Montreal Star (Montreal, Quebec, Canada) Newspapers.com
AMAZES VETERANS WITH CHESS-PLAY
Winnipeg Experts Say Abie Yanofsky Very Promising at Eleven
Winnipeg, June 19 — (C.P.) — A Chess Master in the making is 11-year-old Abraham Yanofsky. Winnipeg's leading players of a game that requires the utmost in concentration and stamina were agreed the Polish Juvenile is the most promising youngster in Western Canada.
Young Abie, so anxious to begin his education he told authorities he was six years old instead of five when he entered school can defeat the majority of chess players in this city where the game is progressing by leaps and bounds.
But while they praise the skill of the lad who took to the game only two years ago becoming an expert in an amazingly short time, J. H. Booker, Joseph Dreman, Abraham Hellman and others of Winnipeg's first rank experts do not think Abie is a child prodigy.
They hasten to add, though, that in no way are they disparaging the boy's game. In time they think he may become a Master. Abie himself doesn't care if he never does. He has not seriously considered taking up the game as a professional. He just plays for the love of the game.
Mr. Booker, president of the Manitoba Chess Association and a first-rank chess player for 25 years thought Abie “is a mighty fine player but not a Master.” Yanofsky, Mr. Booker added is “undoubtedly the best youngster in Western Canada, and has the makings of a Master.”
The pale-faced youngster was selected last year to play on a team that represented Winnipeg in an international match against Minneapolis. He did so well he was again chosen for this year's tourney held last May 24 at Fargo, N.D. Abie won his game though the Canadians lost the tournament 16½ to 13½ points.
Abie was only nine years old—only a few months after he took up the game—when he played against Isaac Kashdan, a recognized United States Master chess player. In a simultaneous exhibition here by Kashdan the boy earned a draw. Abie thinks that was his best game though he did not keep a record of it.
On a visit here Bernard Freedman treasurer of the Canadian Chess Federation played Yanofsky whom he described afterwards as “almost a second Reshevsky.” Mr. Booker thought Mr. Freedman “rated the boy too highly,” pointing out that Samuel Reshevsky was giving simultaneous exhibitions and amazing the chess world at the age of seven.
Yanofsky has not yet given such exhibitions of his skill. He merely plays for the fun of it at the Jewish Chess Club. Whether he will be sent to Toronto play in the Dominion championships at the Canadian National Exhibition has not yet been decided.
Young Yanofsky was born in Poland shortly before his parents emigrated to Canada. His father Abraham sr., taught Abie the moves then took him to the Jewish club where his skill amazed men who had played the game for years.
Abie also plays baseball and football. Soccer, he says is the game he likes best—apart from chess. He doesn't let his love of the chess board affect his studies, either, devoting only two nights a week to the game.
Abie is being coached by Mr. Hellman present city champion and a member of the Jewish club, and Mr. Dreman, Manitoba Champion for the past two years. They hope to develop something which never yet has Winnipeg produced, a Master chess player. ★
June 23 1936
Youthful Chess Player Is Star In International 23 Jun 1936, Tue The Calgary Albertan (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com
YOUTHFUL CHESS PLAYER IS STAR IN INTERNATIONAL
Eleven-Year-Old Winnipegger Shows Class in Match With Veteran
Winnipeg, June 23. — Winnipeg lost an International chess match to a representative Minneapolis team last May 24, but it was not the fault of Abraham Yanofsky, the 11-year-old chess sensation who was selected to play on the 30-man team.
The final score was: Minneapolis, 16½; Winnipeg, 13½. Young Yanofsky won his game to boost Winnipeg's points. He considers the game played against E. T. Baldwin, a leading Minneapolis player among his best. How he won is shown by the following.
June 26 1936
Mate In Two Moves 26 Jun 1936, Fri The Sault Star (Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com
Mate In Two Moves
Lewis Plummer, president of the Winnipeg Jewish Chess Club, seems to be in a different position in his game with Abraham Yanofsky, 11 year old chess sensation. Enthusiasts hail “Abie” as a “coming Reshevsky.” (Canadian Press Photo).
July 07 1936
The Windsor Star, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, Tuesday, July 07, 1936
Sees Chess As Crime Reducer
Would Teach Game In Schools to Prevent Delinquency
WINNIPEG, July 7.—Teach chess in the schools to reduce the flow of delinquents through Canada's juvenile courts, says James H. Booker, president of the Manitoba Chess Association and leader in a chess-for-children movement here.
Besides being a deterrent to crime, learning to play the game would be a great factor in the proper development of a child's future life, in his opinion. Chess, Mr. Booker believes, would give the children confidence to overcome all difficulties. “It makes one think,” he explains.
Winnipeg's leading chess players are behind Mr. Booker in his efforts to promote the game in the city's schools. Following the example of the association's president, they have offered to give their time freely in the role of teachers, basing their methods on the plan adopted at Milwaukee. Wis., where in the past five years 10,000 persons have been taught to play.
The game need not—and should not—hinder girls and boy in their studies. Mr. Booker believes. Two nights a week should be sufficient and not result in any mental strain. The children's movement champion has played the game expertly for a quarter of a century.
Chess already has taken hold of young Winnipeg. Dozens of school children are enrolled in various clubs. Of these, about 20 are ranked as first-class players and give every indication of attaining front-rank places among the Dominion's best players.
Abraham Yanofsky, 11-year-old Polish schoolboy, was “undoubtedly” the best child chess player in the West, in Mr. Booker's opinion. A member of the Winnipeg Jewish Chess Club, Yanofsky has defeated graying veterans of the 64-square board and is being groomed to enter the Dominion championships at Toronto in August.
Close behind the North End youngster were ranked two 16-year-old members of the Garwell club, a West End association. George Palmer, the president said, could be ranked a strong “B” player or a weak “A.” Clarence Blundell played a good “B” game.
Palmer took up chess only a year ago. Now he is one of the best players in the club from which have come some of Manitoba's leading chess experts. It has taken Clarence a year longer to become adept. Mr. Booker can name a dozen other promising youngsters, indicative of the steady growth of the love of chess among Winnipeg's younger set.
July 29 1936
Eight-Year-Old Is Rival For Brother 29 Jul 1936, Wed The Expositor (Brantford, Ontario, Canada) Newspapers.com
The Expositor Brantford, Ontario, Canada, Wednesday, July 29, 1936
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD IS RIVAL FOR BROTHER
Chess Student Promises to Outshine Other Member of the Family
WINNIPEG July 29.—(CP).-Abie Yanofsky 11-year-old chess sensation is attracting considerable attention these days from leading players of the game here. Young Abraham can beat the best of them.
But if his present showing is any criterion, Harry, Abie's eight-year-old brother will soon be heard from. Abie took to the game immediately when taught the moves by his father Abraham, two years ago. Harry had to be coaxed to play.
Now Harry plays as though he intends to outshine Abie some day. When his aged and experienced opponents at the Jewish Chess Club “spot” him a piece or two the youngster can win more games than he loses.
September 05 1936
The Edmonton Bulletin, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Saturday, September 05, 1936
Prodigy Finds Chess Helps To Do Arithmetic 05 Sep 1936, Sat The Edmonton Bulletin (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) Newspapers.com
PRODIGY FINDS CHESS HELPS TO DO ARITHMETIC
A new champion has arisen among the ranks of young western Canadians. He is Abie Yanofsky of Winnipeg expert chess player who is just now competing at the Canadian National Exhibition In Toronto with tried and expert players from all parts of the Dominion. Abie is just eleven years old and has been playing chess for two years.
“My father taught ma to play,” he said. “He started taking me to the chess club and I learned all the moves. Then I got a chess book and studied the openings and memorized all the moves which gives me a great advantage over my opponents as I know just what to do to counteract certain moves without thinking about it.”
With 189 variations to one move alone, his task was no easy one.
Traveling all the way from Winnipeg to Toronto alone he hopes to win the tournament to be played there this week.
“I like playing with good players just to learn things and with bad ones just for fun”, said Abie.
In order to keep his mind clear, a thing very necessary in the game, he says he goes to bed early and sleeps late.
“After a big tournament I sometimes sleep nearly all day,” he said. Abie is a booster of chess for “it helps me to think quickly at school especially in arithmetic,” he said.
September 09 1936
The Leader-Post, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Wednesday, September 09, 1936
Toronto Man Leads Canadian Chess Tourney 09 Sep 1936, Wed The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
TORONTO MAN LEADS CANADIAN CHESS TOURNEY
TORONTO, Sept. 9.-J. S. Morrison of Toronto Tuesday night assumed the lead of the Canadian chess tournament with five wins and no losses after six incomplete rounds.
Last place was occupied by W. N Wilson of London, Ont., with four losses and no wins. H. W. Jordan of Moose Jaw, Sask., was a place ahead of him with a single victory and five defeats.
Abraham Yanofsky, 11-year-old Winnipeg prodigy, finished all his games in section two of the major tournament with nine victories and no defeats, the same score he recorded in the senior boys' tournament. Yanofsky and I. Schochet of Toronto, qualified for the finals. The Winnipeg lad and five Toronto players meet in the senior boys' final.
The Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Wednesday, September 09, 1936
Chess Prodigy Reaches Finals 09 Sep 1936, Wed The Winnipeg Tribune (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Newspapers.com
Chess Prodigy Reaches Finals
Toronto. Sept 9—J. S. Morrison, of Toronto, Tuesday night assumed the lead in the Canadian chess tournament with five wins and no losses after six incomplete rounds.
Last place was occupied by W. N. Wilson, of London, Ont., with four losses and no wins. H. W. Jordan, of Moose Jaw, Sask., was a place ahead of him with a single victory and five defeats.
Abraham Yanofsky, 11-year-old Winnipeg prodigy, finished all his games in section two of the major tournament with nine victories and no defeats, the same score he recorded in the senior boys' tournament. Yanofsky and I. Schochet, of Toronto, qualified for the finals. The Winnipeg lad and five Toronto players meet in the senior boys' final.
Star-Phoenix, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Wednesday, September 09, 1936
No Competition 09 Sep 1936, Wed Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
NO COMPETITION
TORONTO, Sept. 8.-Withdrawing from the junior boys' Canadian chess tournament at the Canadian National Exhibition, in which class he was eligible, in order to give Toronto lads a chance. Abie Yanofsky, 11-year-old Winnipeg marvel, has nine straight wins in the senior boys' class.
September 11 1936
- The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Friday, September 11, 1936 — Retains Chess Lead — Toronto, September 10.—(CP)—Abraham Yanofsky, Winnipeg chess prodigy, lost his first game today in the secondary chess tournament in progress here at the Canadian National Exhibition where in another tournament the Canadian champion is being decided.
September 14 1936
The Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Monday, September 14, 1936
Local Boy Routs All Competitors In Chess Tourney 14 Sep 1936, Mon The Winnipeg Tribune (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Newspapers.com
LOCAL BOY ROUTS ALL COMPETITORS IN CHESS TOURNEY
Abie Yanofsky Scores Final Victory by Defeating Rival In 22 Moves
By Canadian Press.
Toronto, Sept. 14 — Abie Yanofsky, 11-year-old chess prodigy, is on his way home to Winnipeg with an impressive list of victories at matches here, culminating over the weekend with first prize in the major tournament of the Canadian Chess federation.
Abie defeated K. Kerns in the final of the tournament after losing only one match to I. Schochet. The final game was completed by the Winnipeg wizard in 22 moves. Young Yanofsky also won the senior boys' tournament with 14 wins and no losses.
In the final sessions of the federation's meeting at the Canadian National Exhibition, Jules Therrlen, Quebec, won five out of six matches which he played blindfolded with six opponents simultaneously. Horace Blumin defeated 20 of his 23 opponents in an exhibition.
Officers elected at the annual meeting of the federation were President, C. A. Crompton, Toronto; vice-presidents, C. Robillair, Montreal; C. De Wet, Winnipeg; R. Gingras, Quebec; H. W. Jordan, Moose Jaw, Sask.; secretary, R. Trotier, Quebec, Que; treasurer, B. Freedman, Toronto.
September 15 1936
The Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Tuesday, September 15, 1936
ACCLAIMED at the Canadian chess championships at Toronto last week as “the best of his age in the world,” 11-year-old Abie Yanowsky, son of Mr. and Mrs. Aba Yanowsky, 450 Manitoba ave., returned to Winnipeg today. He is shown posed for the camera at a chess board in his home, with cups won at Toronto beside him.
September 22 1936
The Winnipeg Tribune, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Tuesday, September 22, 1936
Young Chess Wizard Will Give Exhibition 22 Sep 1936, Tue The Winnipeg Tribune (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) Newspapers.com
YOUNG CHESS WIZARD WILL GIVE EXHIBITION
Young Abe Yanofsky, local boy chess wizard, will give his simultaneous chess exhibition at the Royal Alexander hotel tonight at 8 o'clock against the first 30 players who wish to play and try his skill.
Both spectators and players will be welcomed. The event is being held under the auspices of the Winnipeg Jewish Chess club, where Abe has been a member since the beginning of his chess career. Players are asked to bring their own chess men and boards.
September 24 1936
The Leader-Post, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Thursday, September 24, 1936
Wins 12 Chess Matches 24 Sep 1936, Thu The Leader-Post (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) Newspapers.com
WINS 12 CHESS MATCHES
WINNIPEG, Sept. 24.-Abe Yanofsky, Winnipeg's 11-year-old chess sensation, showed in a simultaneous exhibition here how he swept through the recent tournament at the Canadian National exhibition in Toronto. Playing 14 strong local players Tuesday night, Abe won 12 matches. The remaining two were drawn.
September 24 1936
The Province, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Thursday, September 24, 1936
Winnipeg Prodigy In Chess Clean-up
WINNIPEG, Sept, 24.-Abe Yanofsky, Winnipeg's 11-year-old chess sensation, showed in a simultaneous exhibition here how he swept through the recent tournament at the Canadian National Exhibition In Toronto.
Playing fourteen strong local players last night, Abe won twelve matches. The remaining two were drawn.
October 13 1936
Evening Express, Portland, Maine, Tuesday, October 13, 1936
Abie Yanofsky, 11-year-old Winnipeg chess prodigy emerged winner of the Canadian Chess Federation major tournament at Toronto recently after a close fight in the final for which three other players qualified.
December 30 1936
The Gazette, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Wednesday, December 30, 1936
YOUTH IS EXPECTED TO SHINE AT CHESS
Abie Yanofsky, 11-Year-Old Winnipegger, Being Trained for Dominion Title
Winnipeg, December 29.—(CP)—Armed with a new board and a set of men, Abie Yanofsky, Winnipeg's 11-year-old chess sensation, today planned big things for 1937. Not the least of them will be an attempt to win the Canadian chess championship next summer.
Right now Abie, who “cleaned up” everything available in the junior division of the 1936 title meet at Toronto last August, is doing his best to win a championship match at the Jewish Chess Club, now under way here. He faces stiff competition against players thrice his age, but his prospects are good.
The youngster who amazed the chess world in the Dominion tournament is enjoying a school holiday this week. He's taking what amounts to a holiday from chess, too, acting upon the advice of the club mentors who have brougnt him far along the road they hope, some day, will make him a Master chess player.
The oldsters in the club do not want to bring the Polish boy along too fast. Thsy fear too much emphasis upon chess, which Abie took up as a hobby less than three years ago, might hinder his progress in school.
So for the past few weeks, Yanofsky has done little but study French and Italian lessons, sent to him by a friend in Montreal. His match in the club tournament this week and his occasional jousts in the fortnight will serve to keep him in trim. He's up against some of Winnipeg's chess top-notchers in the tourney.
Abie recently was the guest of honor at a club banquet tendered him in recognition of his Toronto exploits, a new chess set was presented to him by the club. With the new board Yanofsky intends to brush up on the moves that, perhaps, will bring him the Canadian title in 1937.
