<Mr. J. L. Jacobsen, the winner of the Sydney School of Arts Chess Club championship this year [1895], with a record of 24½ wins out of a possible 26, was born in Hull (England), where, at the early age of 14, he was recognised as a first-class amateur.He won the chess championship of Queensland, and a gold medal presented by the late Mr. Justice Mein, on March 1, 1887.
Mr. Jacobsen conducted a chess column in the "Queenslander," and his ability in grasping positions, and in original research generally, at once placed him in the front rank of chess editors.
He arrived in New South Wales in November, 1889, and started a chess column in the "Illustrated Sydney News."
He defeated Mr. W. Ridley, the Rev. T. E. Ash, and Dr. de Vine, in private matches in Sydney.
In 1891 Mr. Jacobsen won the second prize in the Sydney championship tournament; 1893, first prize in championship; 1895, first prize in championship; 1889 to 1895, first prize in three Sydney handicap tournaments.
The Australian papers have published from time to time fine specimens of Mr. Jacobsen's skill in the art of problem construction, and readers of the "Town and Country Journal" were delighted with a recent specimen which we published, where he announced a difficult forced mate across board in an important match game.
Mr. Jacobsen has also conducted chess columns in England, South Africa, and Victoria.
He is a good blindfold player, and has often won brilliant victories sans voir from strong opponents in Sydney.>
- Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW) issue Saturday 8 June 1895 page 31>