Game Collection: New York

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Events

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History

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A fitting opportunity presents itself, on the commencement of our chess column, to give a short sketch of the introduction and increase of public playing in our city. In the 8d of October, 1855, through the instrumentality of the writer a meeting of chess amateurs was held at Montague Hall for the purpose of establishing a Chess Club. The result of that meeting was the organization of the Brooklyn Chess Club which has continued in successful operation until the present time and is now without any exception, the largest Chess Club in the United States. We had the honor to be elected the first President but declined the office, preferring that of Secretary, which position we have held uninterruptedly to the present time. Thomas Nichols, Esq., of Brown, Brothers & Co., was elected President, Thomas Hamilton, Esq., now of St. Louis, was chosen Vice-President, in which offices these gentlemen served through the first year. The meetings of the Club were held at Montague Hall. The principal players were, besides the officers, Messrs. Samuel Stewart, Jas. Eschweye, J. M. Burnett, James Kirkpatrick and Charles W. Schuffner. On the 1st of September, 1856, the place of meeting of the Club was changed to the house of the Secretary, No. 61 Joralemon street, where the Club continued to meet until the following Fall.

Daniel S. Roberts, Esq., one of the finest chess players in the country, now in San Francisco, was proclaimed President by unanimous accord, and held such position until his departure for the Pacific. Among the acquisitions of members of the Club during the season were Mess. Henry R. Worthington, Wm. Kind, Hubert Knott, Wm. Horner, Frederick Scmidt (sic), Jacob Philip, D. S. Hines and some others. In the fall of 1857 the place of meeting of the Club was again changed to the rooms of Mr. Grautegein, No. 130 Atlantic street. During this season quite a number of names was added to the list of members—among others Mess. Hicks, Greau, Rerault, Pain, Talk, Wilhelmi, McArthur, Hinde, Cowing, Hull, Gillet, Richardson and Thompson.

On the 16th of October, 1858, the Club removed to its present place of meeting, on the corner of Court and Remsen streets, where it has ample accommodations, and now numbers one hundred and fifteen members. Fredrick Perrin, Esq., was unanimously elected President; Thos. Frere, Secretary, and Charles W. Schuffner, Treasurer. On the present list of members are the names of many players of the first class, among whom are Messrs. Perrin, Marache, Horner, Weekes, Seebach, Loyd, Philip, Galop, Kind, Hawes, Baly, Gardner, Richardson, Clark, Chadwick, Myers and others too numerous to mention. Thus has Chess Playing increased in Brooklyn.

The annual dues to the Brooklyn Chess Club, as now organized at but $2. All interested in the game are invited to enroll their names as members.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1859.03.11, p2
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At a recent meeting of the Brooklyn Chess Club, the following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year:—Mr. Frederick Perrin, President; Mr. Bernard, Vice-President; Mr. Alfred Thompson, Treasurer, and Mr. William Horner, Secretary. The Club has removed to its new quarters, No. 14 Court street, room No. 27. The room will be open on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening of each week.

Brooklyn Evening Star, 1861.10.07, p3
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The regular annual meeting of this Club was held on Saturday evening, at their Club-rooms in Court street, and the following officers were duly elected for the ensuing year: President, F. Perrin; Vice-President, E. L. Matthews; Secretary, Capt. Raymond; Treasurer, G. Baxter; Tournament Committee, Messrs. Thompson and Raymond.

Brooklyn Daily Union, 1863.10.12, p3
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Game Collection: New York