THE “CAFE INTERNATIONAL.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4982, 12 March 1877, Page 3

THE “CAFE INTERNATIONAL.”

This celebrated resort the Mecca of American cheasers —now occupies the basement and first floor of the large building, No. 294 Bowery, New York. The basement is used mainly as a billiard-room, and the front of the ground floor as a restaurant, but it is with the space in the rear of the latter that w 7 e have to do. Here are located the chesstables, some thirty in number, under the supervision of Captain McKenzie, assisted by Messrs. Mason and Becker. The charge for the use of the boards and men is ten cents, per day, but the habitues, of course, prefer to “ commute " at the rate of 1 dol. per month. No charge is made for those who do not play, but come merely as spectators. Everything is here subordinated to chess. Conversation is carried on in subdued tones, over-excited individuals are promptly squelched, even dishes seem to clink more softly, and Caissa reigns supreme, worshipped by as faithful devotees as ever any goddess of old could boast. Here may generally be found a greater number of the magnates of the game than anywhere else in this country, McKenzie and Mason, who have yet to settle which is the better player, and at the same time decide the championship of America. The former, a stout genial gentleman, of a commanding presence, with full blonde beard and moustache ; the latter slight and young-looking (he isyoung, but older than he appears), smooth face ; as great a contrast, these two, as could well be found. Bird, portly, almost fat, with a fringe of soft, fluffy, light whiskers about his face, but quite destitute of capillary adornment “ on the top of his head, in the place,” &c. Eew, very few, are the men who have played as much and as well as he, but he has not been very successful of late, and this has perhaps soured his temper somewhat, for he is perpetually at loggerheads with somebody or something, and perpetually writing letters to the papers complaining of unfair treatment, after the manner of Englishmen in general. Ensor, Delmar, and Becker, strong players all three, and well known by reputation throughout fehessdom. Perrin, the veteran, and Gilberg, the problemist, who occasionally come over from Brooklyn for a friendly tilt. Stanley, once champion of America, now a mere wreck of his former self, still occasionally striking out some combination that shows traces of his old. power. In short, all the strongest players of the vicinity may be found here ; and chessers from other places, when visiting this city, invariably make this their objective point, and Mr. Liedere, the proprietor, spares no effort to make such visits pleas, nt and enjoyable.— Hartford Times. '