EXTRAORDINARY CHESS PLAY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1243, 30 November 1882, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY CHESS PLAY.

The annual blindfold exhibition of Mr J.-H. Blackburne, tho celebrated English cbeaa player, tool: place at tho City of London.Chess Club,'at Mouflet's Hotel, Newgate street, on Sept ember '.27, Tho room was crowdod with chess enthusiast* amongst them being some of the most notable players who took part in the late V-fenna tournament. Mr Blackburne was pitted against eight players of hi K h average ability, somo of them boing under what is technically termed "pawn aid' tW' atreng'h.. . Mr Blackburne, who was: not in reality blindfolded, occupied a seat; at the far end ol a long dining-room., with. Ilia back lo the eight plajors, who were' • sealed at two oblonn' tables. ' 'lie was so ■ placed"that he could not see the boards or men of his opponents, and, therefore,! conducted all the gjiraes from beginning ■to end from memory alone, The play was conducted ts follows, A teller, whose business it was to- call out'the'operations of Mr (Blachbnrne's eight o[)pononlsi declared each move distinctly, and Mr Blackbourne verbally" 'dictated his response to every move made, At twenty 'minutes In six the contest' tegah',' Mi' -Blackbourne played; very rapidly, and, considering the strength <>f hii eight opponents,i with' considerable freedom, ~ .At 7.20 Mr Henzfled ,\yns mated in two moves. Twenty minutes nfterwardß Mr'Chappe.ll accepted a draw,. Atfive.minutes past eight MrMurray was mated in three moves, and at thirty-four minutes-past eight Mr Downresigntd. At five minutes past, nine Mr Vyse accepted .a draw, at twenty-five minutes, past nine, .Mr Stevens resigned, , Ten minute? later Mr Cutler resianei!, and at . forty-five minutes past nine Mr followed hiß example.' The result of.a-.lonj* poriotl of wientific play .then was that Mr Black-' -bourne won six games,, and two were drawn, and he thus maintained his repu- j Nation as.one of the greatest chess players of tho day.