Game Collection: US State Chess Associations

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Events

Game Collection: 1st Massachusetts CA Knockout, Boston (1887)
Game Collection: 2nd Massachusetts CA Handicap, Boston (1887)
Game Collection: 3rd Massachusetts Chess Association (1888)
Game Collection: 4th Massachusetts Chess Association (1888)

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History

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An event of great importance to the chess players of this State, and one whose successful consummation will be received with much interest and satisfaction by chess amateurs throughout the country, took place in this city yesterday. For years past the majority of chess players have admitted the desirability of associating the amateurs of each State under a central organization as the true method for obtaining the maximum of enjoyment from the game, by means of mutual acquaintance, social reunions and tournaments of such importance as could not fail to be both highly exciting and instructive. To accomplish this the Boston Chess Club recently issued a circular to the chess public offering the use of its rooms on Pemberton square, and requesting delegates from the minor clubs in the State to assemble there on Fast day and consider the advisability of forming a permanent organization. In response to this invitation a large number of favorable communications were received from prominent clubs and players, and when the meeting was called to order at 11:30 a.m. yesterday, some forty amateurs, representing most of the principal chess organizations in the State, were in attendance.

The meeting organized with Mr. Hasseltine of Melrose in the chair, and Captain E. S. Huntington of the chess club as acting secretary. Captain Huntington made the opening address, stating the object of the meeting, and dwelling upon the great benefit to be derived from the contemplated measure. Dr. W. L. Faxon of Quincy, Judge Fox of Taunton, Messrs. Woodward of Fitchburg and Farham of Uxbridge heartily indorsed the remarks of the secretary, and the meeting, by vote, express itself as unanimously in favor of a State association. On motion of Mr. J. B. Goodrich of Newtown, the chair appointed Messrs. Fox, Woodward and Alden a commitee on permanent organization and instructed them to prepare and submit a plan of constitution and bylaws.

On motion of Mr. J. E. Tibbitts (sic), the chair appointed Messrs. Harlow, Sargent and Goodrich a committee to nominate officers for the ensuing year. While these committees were deliberating, Captain Huntington, on behalf of Dr. Horace Richardson of Boston, presented to the association a handsome chess table and set of chess men to be awarded as a prize to the victor in the tournament of the afternoon and evening.

At 12:40 p.m. the committee on constitution and bylaws asked leave to report, and Judge Fox as chairman presented the following consitution of the Massachusetts Chess Association.

1. This organization shall be known as the Massachusetts Chess Association.
2. The object of this association is to promote the general interests of the game of chess in this State.
3. The officers of this association shall consist of a president, five vice-presidents, a secretary and treasurer and an executive committee of seven, which shall include the president and secretary.
4. The executive committee shall have the entire management of the affairs of the association.
5. This constitution may be amended at any regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.

The report of the committee was accepted, and the articles of the constitution, being severally put on their passage, were unanimously adopted.

The following officers were lected for the ensuing year:

President, Dr. Horace Richardson, Hotel Berkeley, Boston. Vice-presidents, Preston Ware, Jr., 310 Columbus avenue, Boston; William C. Paine, 46 Mt. Vernon street, Boston; Dr. Z. B. Adams, Framingham; Judge William L. Fox of Taunton; Frederick F. Woodward of Fitchburg. Secretary and treasurer, Captain Edward S. Huntington of Quincy; executive committee, Dr. W. L. Faxon of Quincy, C. B. Snow of William Claflin, Coburn & Co., Boston; J. E. Tibbets (sic), Boston; E. S. Farham of Uxbridge, W. H. Howe of Cambridge, and the president and secretary ex officio.

Dr. Pollock of Boston nominated from the floor Mr. Preston Ware, Jr., of Boston, for president of the association, which motion was seconded by Mr. C. B. Snow. On proceeding to ballot the report of the committee was adopted and the nominees declared elected.

Dr. Richardson, on taking the chair, expressed his appreciation of the honour of being elected the first president of the association, and concluded with a brief dessertion (sic) on the game, in which "mates," "checks" and a genuine invitation to dinner were humorously commingled. After a short session of the executive committee to perfect arrangements for teh tournament, Captain Huntington extended the hospitalities of the club in the form of the first grand banquet of the Massachusetts Chess Association. For an hour or so, salutations, congratulations and long and eep wishes for "many returns of the day" were in order. When the popping of corks had ceased and fragrant La Volkmanns had restored something like tranquillity, the minds of the assembled "chessers" reverted to the final and decisive feature of the day—the knightly tournament.

The first tourney of the association was necessarily of an informal character and partook more of the nature of a social chess soirée than a struggle of champions. Nevertheless, several of the out-of-town representatives made very creditable showings, particularly Mr. Weston, delegate from the Uxbridge Chess Club, who, after defeating two antagonists and drawing with Mr. Harlow, one of the finest players in the country, was unfortunately compelled, by the lateness of the hour, to withdraw from the tourney. The tournament opened with a general mêlée, in which twenty-three players entered. (1)

(1) Boston Post, 1887.04.08, p1
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Game Collection: US State Chess Associations