Chess History and ReminiscencesBird, H. E. (Henry Edward)
History
Chess History and Reminiscences
Bird, H. E. (Henry Edward)
Chess
Zukertort was engaged in conversation
with the writer and others, in his usual genial manner, and spent
some happy hours with us on the evening preceding his death.
Every true lover of chess must appreciate the chivalry and good
feelings always observable in chess play at Simpson's. There
only leading players for mutual pleasure and without stake, and
to the interest of spectators play many an emulatory game which
may bear comparison with the best of the few good ones to be
found in the most recent tedious chess matches played for amounts
not thought of in previous times, and sufficient to disconcert and
make timid both of the opponents. With our Foreign visitors,
Simpson's Divan is the first resort to meet old friends, to hear
chess news, to compare notes, and to discuss topics of interest.
It is a kind of landmark, or where the pilot comes aboard. When
they do not dine at Simpson's, which is regarded as "par
excellence," but retire to Darmstatters, the Floric or the Cheshire
Cheese for refreshment, the Divan is yet the Appetizer, or Sherry
and Bitter starting point, in fact, wherever the abodes of our
distinguished chess brethren may be, Simpson's is always the centre
and home of friendly attraction throughout their stay in this
country, and so long as harmony and good feeling prevails it is
ever likely to continue so.
For Clubs may come, and Clubs may go,
And make us ask what's next to see;
But Simpson's ever should remain,
The place for Chess in ecstacy.
The above article was run off for the late deeply lamented
Captain Mackenzie, the amiable and dignified United States
Chess Champion, on one of his visits here. I dedicate it to our
surviving foreign visitors.
CHESS OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
The following article from The British Chess Magazine
furnished by the writer has been regarded with much interest,
we are tempted to re-produce it.
THE CHESS MASTERS OF THE DAY, IMPARTIALLY
CONSIDERED BY AN OLD ENGLISH PLAYER.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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