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Armand Blackmar

Number of games in database: 16
Years covered: 1876 to 1884
Overall record: +12 -3 =1 (78.1%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games.

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ARMAND BLACKMAR
(born May-30-1826, died Oct-28-1888, 62 years old) United States of America

[what is this?]

Armand Edward Blackmar was born in Bennington, Vermont, and died in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He was a very good violinist and pianist, a chess expert, and a charter member (and club treasurer in 1865) of the Chess, Checkers and Whist Club of New Orleans. He is best known for an article in the July 1882 issue of Brentano's Chess Monthly where he advocated the line 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.f3. Blackmar was very successful with this gambit, though he came to grief in A Blackmar vs A Wurm, 1882, when his opponent played the strong 3...e5!

Later, Emil Diemer took up the opening with the refinement 3.Nc3!, and today it is commonly known as the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.*

From 1861 to 1864, Blackmar and his New Orleans music publishing house issued six editions of "The Bonnie Blue Flag" music scores, along with three additional arrangements. The tune was so popular among the Southerners that Union General Benjamin Butler arrested and fined Blackmar for publishing it.

*Wikipedia article: Blackmar-Diemer Gambit

Wikipedia article: Armand Blackmar

Last updated: 2025-01-10 06:40:52

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 page 1 of 1; 16 games  PGN Download 
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. A Blackmar vs A Labry 1-0141876UnknownA82 Dutch, Staunton Gambit
2. A Blackmar vs E Farrar 1-01518812nd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipD00 Queen's Pawn Game
3. A Blackmar vs A Lapeyre 1-0231882Casual gameD00 Queen's Pawn Game
4. A Blackmar vs A Wurm 0-12318823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipD00 Queen's Pawn Game
5. A Blackmar vs M Dunn  1-03618823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC00 French Defense
6. M Dunn vs A Blackmar  0-13618823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC33 King's Gambit Accepted
7. C Edwards vs A Blackmar  0-13218823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC58 Two Knights
8. A Blackmar vs C F Buck  1-03318823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC00 French Defense
9. A Blackmar vs O Tennison  0-14418823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC45 Scotch Game
10. A Blackmar vs L Labatt  1-02218823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC00 French Defense
11. L Labatt vs A Blackmar  0-14418823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC45 Scotch Game
12. A Wurm vs A Blackmar  1-03918823rd New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC63 Ruy Lopez, Schliemann Defense
13. A Wurm vs A Blackmar 0-1151883Casual gameC45 Scotch Game
14. A Blackmar vs L Labatt  1-0191883Casual gameD00 Queen's Pawn Game
15. L T Smith vs A Blackmar  ½-½2518834th New Orleans CCWC ChampionshipC45 Scotch Game
16. A Blackmar vs L S Atkinson 1-0131884BDGW corrD00 Queen's Pawn Game
 page 1 of 1; 16 games  PGN Download 
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Blackmar wins | Blackmar loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Nov-15-04  capanegra: Thanks <Benzol>. I always liked the Blackmar gambit. In fact, I discovered that it can be a very lethal weapon if Black doesn't know it. I also discovered that something must be wrong in the dates, or maybe Blackmar was a super prodigy... as he was born in 1826, and in the database there are two games he played that year.
Nov-15-04  sneaky pete: The games against Farrar and Lapeyre were played in 1881 in New Orleans (Chess Checkers and Whist Club) and first published in "Brentano's Chess Monthly", July 1882, according to Diemer in "Das moderne Blackmar-Diemer Gambit".

From the same source: Blackmar was born in 1826 and died in 1888. He was a musician, composer, music teacher, merchant (musical instuments) and music publisher (Blackmar and Brother). In 1860 he settled in New Orleans.

The lastmentioned 3 games in this database were played by another A.E.Blackmar, possibly a relation, who lived in New York, a judge by profession, who died at the age of 78 years in 1931. Both the British Chess Magazine and the Deutsche Schachzeitung published an obituary (in 1931) in which the discovery of the gambit was mistakenly credited to Blackmar junior.

Nov-15-04  sneaky pete: From http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/b...: the second Blackmar (who lost to Lasker and has nothing to do with the gambit) was Abel E.Blackmar of Brooklyn, Kings County, NY, Justice of New York Supreme Court, 2nd District, 1913-20.
Nov-16-04  Willem Wallekers: And what is their relation to Roger Blackmar who played in San Francisco 2001?
May-07-05  BrownRecluse: These old games have a charming quality.
Nov-09-05  Caissafan: Hi fellows, is there anbody having a graphic or photo of Blackmar?

It were a great support maintaining my Diemer remembrance web site via www.belkaplan.de/chess/bdg/

Thank you.

Feb-04-07  wardina82: i am a fan of this gambit that lead to interesting chessgame with combination. Can anybody suggest where can i find the books or webs that pointed out this gambit in details?
Sep-26-07  2021: The Blackmar-Diemer gambit is a very bad opening.
Oct-22-07  whiteshark: <2021 <The Blackmar-Diemer gambit is a very bad opening.>>

Yes, that is true, especially for black patzers who don't understand the dynamics of this opening (imo upto a level of ELO 1,800-1,900 maybe more). :D

May-30-08  brankat: Mr.Blackmar lived in New Orleans during Morphy's time. They probably knew each other, although I haven't found any records of two of them "meeting" OTB.
May-30-08  whiteshark: <brankat> If there has been any contact, you will surely find it in <Sarah's Chess Journal> http://batgirl.atspace.com/archives...

:D

Jul-28-09  myschkin: . . .

A.E. Blackmar

"Although born in Bennington, Vermont on May 30, 1826, Armand Edward Blackmar became a Southerner by choice. From 1852 to 1855 he was professor of music at Centenary College in Jackson, Louisiana. In 1860 he and his brother established a music publishing house in New Orleans [published work included the "Dixie War Song", "Southern Marseillaise" and the "Beauregard Manassas"]. However, the city was captured in 1862 in a naval attack led by Farragut, and occupied by Union forces. It became necessary to publish music for the Confederacy elsewhere. Armand's brother, H. C., opened a publishing house in Augusta, Georgia, where he continued to publish patriotic music. Armand continued business in New Orleans, where he died on October 28, 1888. .."

http://www.geocities.com/athens/acr...

(by Anders Tejler and Tom Purser)

Bio: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armand...

Jul-28-09  Sem: <myschkin> Nur eine Meldung dass ich jetzt ein Exemplar habe von 'Die moderne Schachpartie' von Dr Tarrasch.Verlegt Leipzig 1916, im Verlag Hans Hedewig Nachf. Einfach herrliche Literatur. Kennst Du es (ich durfte duzen, aber Du darfst mich nicht siezen, denn am schwarzweissen Brett bin ich ein richtiger Patzer.)? Wunderbare Aufsaetze ueber u.a. Pillsbury und Tschigorin. Ich wuensche einen recht guten Urlaub!
Jul-28-09  myschkin: . . .

<Sem> ich weiss doch nicht einmal warum es überhaupt extra schwarze Felder auf dem Brett braucht - und Recherchen hierzu liefen samt und sonders ins Leere!

'Die moderne Schachpartie' selber kenne ich nicht, aber denke es hat mit dir einen neuen Besitzer gefunden, der seiner mehr als würdig ist! Jemanden, der hauptsächlich am Inhalt Gefallen findet. Das ist keine Fussnote, sondern eine sehr feine Meldung! Ihnen .... hoppla, dir ebenfalls eine erholsame Zeit und von meiner Seite natürlich Glückwunsch zu solch vortrefflicher Literatur ;)

Aug-27-09
Premium Chessgames Member
  Phony Benoni: In case you're wondering about the three posthumus games, Jeremy Gaige's <Chess Personalia> mentions another A.E. Blackmar:

Abel Edward Blackmar
b. 1852.08.21, Newark, NY
d. 1931.02.14, New York, NY

Verified by obituaries in the American Chess Bulletin and the New York Times.

Oct-22-10
Premium Chessgames Member
  GrahamClayton: A biography with links to other sites:

http://wwww.vermontcivilwar.org/csa...

May-30-12  brankat: R.I.P. Mr.Blackmar.
May-30-16  TheFocus: Happy birthday, Armand Blackmar.
Dec-11-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  mifralu: NEW ORLEANS CHESS, CHECKERS AND WHIST CLUB. Last night a number of gentlemen assembled at No. 128 Gravier street and organized the "New Orleans Chess, Checkers and Whist Club." < Mr. A. E. Blackmar > presided. An election for officers was held; Mr. Charles Maurian was chosen president and Mr. James DeBenneville Seguin Secretary. The roll call showed a membership of forty, with a prospect of large increase. This club is a most excellent association, and will become very popular.

<The Times-Picayune (New Orleans), 21 July 1880, Page 2>

May-18-19
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: <An "A. E. Blackmar" was one of the organizers of the lynching of 11 Italians in New Orleans on March 14, 1891>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arman...

Wow, they kept that quiet! Though not conclusive, of course, it's certainly suspicious.... Even if it's him, the cited link only has <Names Attached to the Newspaper Advertisement Calling Together a Mass Meeting on March 14, 1891>.

May-18-19  sneaky pete: Even more suspicious is that he committed these atrocities nearly two and a half years after his death.
May-18-19
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: Well, there is that.....jeeez, lol.
May-19-19
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: Just for the record...

Times-Democrat (New Orleans, LA), March 14th 1891, p.1:

<MASS MEETING!

All good citizens are invited to attend a mass meeting on SATURDAY, March 14, at 10 o'clock a.m. at Clay Statue, to take steps to remedy the failure of justice in the HENNESSY CASE. Come prepared for action.

[co-signed by 61 names including A. E. Blackmar]>

The <Daily-Picayune>(New Orleans, LA) of February 26th 1891, p.3, carries a letter on an unrelated matter from a <[Captain] A. E. Blackmar, Harbormaster New Basin Canal> (not that I want to unwarrantedly cast suspicion on random persons).

May-19-19
Premium Chessgames Member
  Stonehenge: His son had the same name:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial...

Oct-27-20  BIDMONFA: Armand Edward Blackmar

BLACKMAR, Armand
http://www.bidmonfa.com/blackmar_ar...
_

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