AAdditional Games
- Game, Sigismund Wolff vs. Albert H. Bierwirth, Southern California Chess League, 1934.
- Game, C. Richter vs. Sigismund Wolff, Southern California League Matches, 1934.
- Game, Sigismund Wolff vs. W. F. Davis, Southern California Chess League, 1934.
- Game, Adolph Chern vs. Sigismund Wolff, Southern California Championship, Round 4, February 29, 1936.
- Game, Morris Freed vs. Sigismund Wolff, Los Angeles championship tournament, 1937.
- Game, Sigismund Wolff vs. Wade Hendricks, San Luis Obispo, 1937.
- Game, Sigismund Wolff vs. Wipple, Exposition vs. Hollywood C.C., 1937.
October 14, 1935
The trophy reads, “Hans Grassl, Perpetual Chess Trophy, Presented to Exposition Chess Club, Los Angeles, California.” There is no associated newspaper article.
Handwritten on nitrate negative: (Left to Right): S. Wolff - Hans Grassel, 10-14-35
Text from nitrate negative sleeve: 2581-- L to R, S. Wolff, Hans Grassel, With Hans Grassel, Exposition Chess Club Trophy.
Source: UCLA/Los Angeles Times Photographs.
Sigismund Wolff 27 Nov 1932, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
The Southern California Chess League held its annual meeting last week at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. The following officers were elected: President, George B. Knapp; vice-presidents, F. E. DeGroff and E. W. Grabill; tournament directors, George W. Sullinger for Section A, S. Wolff for Section B; secretary-treasurer for Section A, Henry MacMahon, for Section B, George W. Chase. The minor league starts the 28th inst. The major league begins after the first of the year as several of the players are now busy with the Southern California Championship Tourney.
Exposition Park 30 Jun 1935, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Mr. Sigismund Wolff and wife, Alma Wolff both taking an active part in chess, such as in this photo op with other women from league of California chess.
Women Chess Experts Open First Tournament 18 Aug 1932, Thu The Pasadena Post (Pasadena, California) Newspapers.com
Women Chess Experts Open First Tournament
Women chess stars assembled at the Maryland Hotel boards for the first major women's chess tournament ever held. The tourney is being held in connection with the World Chess Congress. Players are, left to right: Le Vieve M. Hines, Pasadena, challenger for the U.S. title; Mrs. Alma Wolff, Los Angeles; Marion Fox, Pasadena; Mrs. Mary Balogh Bain, Los Angeles. Irving Spero, former Ohio champion, is looking on in the background.
Women Enter Silent Chess Tournament 18 Aug 1932, Thu Los Angeles Evening Post-Record (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Women Enter Silent Chess Tournament
Women players today were continuing their matches in the international class tournament at Pasadena. Above are, left to right: Miss La Vieve Hines, Alex V. Taylor, tourney director, Mrs. Alma Wolff, Mrs. E. K. Hillman, Mrs. L. Marie Hinchman, Miss Marian Fox and Mrs. Mary Bain. Miss Hines is defending woman champion.
HEAVY THINKERS TANGLE IN CHESS TOURNEY
Hotly contested were the chess games played during celebration at Sierra Madre of the centennial of the birth of Paul Morphy, patron saint of chess players. - Times photo.
Games Played in City's Park 21 Jun 1937, Mon The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Games Played in City's Park
Two Hundred Join in Memorial Event Held at Sierra Madre
Sierra Madre, June 20.—Meeting under the giant eucalyptus in Sierra Madre's city park, 200 chess experts and plain “dub” enthusiasts Saturday celebrated the eighth annual Morphy Day memorial. The event honored the centennial of the birth of Paul Morphy, patron saint of chess players the world over.
Pasadena's chess team defeated the Exposition Park group from Los Angeles by a score of 7½-4½, while the women's tourney was won by Mrs. Blanche C. Knoll. Mrs. Knoll won four games and lost none. The second prize went to Mrs. Alma Wolff, who was defeated once.
Nationally and internationally known experts of the game participated in informal matches and special exhibitions. Irving Spiro, former Ohio State champion and chess editor, won a game and drew one in the blindfold exhibition match. E. P. Elliot, former western champion, conducted the simultaneous play, and the afternoon's featured rapid-transit games were timed and directed by Charles Broughton, Pasadena artist.
The rapid-transit prize was an original drawing by Mr. Broughton. Herman Steiner, chess editor of The Times, played several matches and aided Chairman Marcus A. Woodward in welcoming guests.
Exposition Chess Club 24 Jan 1937, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Club News
A tournament to decide the chess championship of Exposition Chess Club will start on January 29. The winner will retain possession of the Hans Grassl trophy for one year. All interested urged to enter this important event, write Secretary B. B. Wisegarver, 4704 Cimarron street, Los Angeles, Cal.
America's Greatest Chess Exhibition 14 Sep 1941, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
AMERICA'S GREATEST CHESS EXHIBITION
The writer wishes to express his sincere thanks and appreciation to those who so willingly gave of their time and service to the good cause of the British War Relief by participating in play and contributing financially in the simultaneous exhibition in which he participated last Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Hollywood Athletic Club. He would like to have the participants send in their names and addresses in care of this column so that the acknowledgment of their valued service to the cause may I be more formally expressed.
We wish very especially to thank Mr. Perc Westmore for his generous gift, a beautiful reproduction of a $1000 ivory set made of plastic, which helped raise funds for the cause, also the Hollywood Athletic Club for the use of their wonderful gymnasium, the Gilmore Oil Co. for the use of their loud-speaker system, and the many members of the Hollywood Chess Group who so generously contributed their time and effort in making the event a success. Further acknowledgments go to Mr. William Pinney, Mr. S. Wolff and Mr. J. B. Roe for having loaned their chess sets for the occasion, and to Mr. and Mrs. Jay Chernis for their splendid efforts in launching publicity.
The exhibition was opened at 1:30 pm with Montagu Love, who represented the British War Relief, and who introduced J. Edward Bromner as master of ceremonies. Actual play started at 2:10 p.m. with 100 boards each of which had four players and continued until l a.m. with one hour and a half intermission. It is noteworthy that a world's record was established by Herman Steiner both in the duration of time and in the number of games won. The result was 83 wins, 11 draws and six losses. Time, nine hours and 20 minutes.
Metropolitan Chess League Matches, 1941-1942 19 Oct 1941, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
NEWS OF THE CLUBS
Metropolitan Chess League Matches, 1941-1942
A meeting at which the Los Angeles, Fairfax, Hollywood, Arcadia and Highland Park Chess clubs were represented, plans were made to form the Metropolitan Chess League. Mr. S. Wolff will be the tournament director. There will be two classes, A and B. The matches will start Nov. 7. Most of the matches will take place Friday nights. Entrance fee will be $3 per team. Teams will consist of five players. We would like many teams as possible compete. The closing date of entrance for the teams will be Oct. 25. Entrance fee has to be sent to S. Wolff, 3848 Fairway Blvd., Los Angeles, Phone AX-11477.
Rapid Transit Winner 09 Feb 1947, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNER
The weekly rapid transit tournament held on Tuesday at the Los Angeles Chess Club. 841 S. Grand Ave., was won by William H. Steckel of the Hollywood Chess Group with a score of 12-1. J. Watson was second with 11-2 and B. Frido and Ray Martin tied for third place with 10½-2½.
On Wednesday evening the weekly rapid transit tournament of the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N. Formosa Ave., was again won by W. H. Steckel with a score of 10½-½; second, R. Martin, 9½-1½; third, S. Wolff, 9-2, and fourth, F. S. Hazard.
Metropolitan League 20 Apr 1947, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Having successfully completed the Metropolitan League schedule the California State Chess Association is giving a banquet next Sunday at 8:30 p.m. at the McDonald's Monterey restaurant. 7312 Beverly Blvd. The perpetual S. Wolff trophy as well as individual prizes for members of the first three teams will be presented. Reservations should be made by sending $1.50 to Herman Steiner, treasurer, 108 N. Formosa Ave., Los Angeles 36. or call Webster 8817 or Wyoming 3510.
Rapid Transit Winner 29 Jun 1947, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
Club News
S. Wolff was the winner of last Wednesday's rapid transit tournament at the headquarters of the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N. Formosa Ave., with a score of 13½-2½. Second was L. Standers, 13-3, and third was E. Schrader, 12½-3½.
Rapid Transit Winners 20 Mar 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
The weekly Wednesday rapid transit tournament held at the headquarters of the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N Formosa Ave., was won by R. W. Banner of Orange with a score of 10-2. Second place went to E. W. Carlson, 9½-2½; third to S. Wolff, 8½-3½.
Rapid Transit Winners 15 May 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
Eighteen players took part in the weekly Wednesday evening rapid transit tournament held at the Hollywood Chess Group. 108 N Formosa Ave. Herman Sterner was the winner with the score of 17-0; second place was tied between R. W. Banner and S. Wolff with the score of 14-3. fourth place went to A. J. Gilbert, 13½-3½.
Rapid Transit Winners 03 Jul 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
Thirteen players participated in the weekly Wednesday evening Rapid Transit Tournament held at the headquarters of the Hollywood Chess Group, 108 N Formosa Ave. R. W. Banner was the winner with a score of 11-1; second place went to S. Wolff, 10½-1½; third to S. Mezner, 7-4; fourth, A. Spiller, 6½-4½.
Rapid Transit Winners 10 Jul 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
The weekly Wednesday evening rapid transit tournament held at the Hollywood Chess Group, 108 N Formosa Ave., was won by J. Cross with the score of 12-2; second place went to H. Rogosin with 11-3; third and fourth was tied between D. Zes and S. Wolff, 10-4.
Rapid Transit Winners 18 Sep 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
Twenty-one players participated in the weekly Wednesday evening Rapid Transit Tournament held at the Hollywood Chess Group, 108 N. Formosa Ave. R. W. Banner was the winner with a score of 18-2. Second place went to S. Wolff, 17-3; third, M. Michaels, 15-5; fourth place was tied between L. Fink, F. Silverman and W. Steel, 14-6. The tournament is open to anyone interested in playing in it and visitors are welcome at all times.
Rapid Transit Winners 16 Oct 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
Seventeen players took part in the weekly Wednesday evening Rapid Transit Tournament held at the Hollywood Chess Group, 108 N. Formosa Ave. R. W. Banner and F. Steel tied for first and second place with score of 14-2; third place went to S. Wolff with 13-3; Dr. S. W. Luban, S. Geller and L. Spinner tied for fourth place with 11½-4½. The tournament is open to anyone interested in playing in it and visitors are welcome at all times.
Rapid Transit Winners 13 Nov 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
RAPID TRANSIT WINNERS
Eighteen players took part in the weekly Wednesday Rapid Transit Tournament held at the Hollywood Chess Group, 108 N Formosa Ave. S. Mazner was the winner with a fine score of 16-1; second place went to R. W. Banner, 14-3; third to S. Wolff, 13½-3½; fourth to Dr. S. Luban, 12½-4½.
The tournament is open to anyone interested in playing and visitors are welcome any evening.
New Group Organized 13 Nov 1949, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
NEW GROUP ORGANIZED
We are happy to announce the formation of a new chess group in Palm Springs under the able and well known Southern California expert, S. Wolff, at the Sage Hotel, 221 Sonora Road, Palm Springs. Wolff, owner, invites all chess players visiting Palm Springs who desire playing to call on him. Your editor wishes you good luck!
Sigismund Wolff, Owner of Hotel Here, Succumbs 28 May 1953, Thu The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, California) Newspapers.com
Sigismund Wolff, Owner of Hotel Here Succumbs
Sigismund Wolff, owner of the Sage hotel 221 Sonora road, died Sunday in Los Angeles following a brief illness. He was 56.
Mr. Wolff entered Desert Hospital two weeks ago and later was transferred to California hospital, Los Angeles. But his condition grew steadily worse and he passed away Sunday afternoon.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Alma Wolff and a son Lothar.
Funeral services will he held today at the Utter-McKinley chapel, Los Angeles with burial in Inglewood cemetery.
31 May 1953, Sun The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) Newspapers.com
OBITUARY
We have just learned the sad news of the untimely passing of our good friend, Sigismund Wolff, last Sunday. Mr. Wolff was known throughout California, not only as a strong chess player but organizer and patron of the royal game, as well. Heartfelt sympathy to the family is extended by all his friends.
