William Grasett Thomas, born Saint Michael BAR; died Haverford, PA USA.
About 1850, he was a chess student of Professor Henry Vethake,(3) a German who settled in Philadelphia in 1836. Thomas and Hardman Montgomery formed the core of a Philadelphia team that consistently beat the New York Chess Club in correspondence and telegraph matches from 1855 to 1863. Given knight odds, he beat Paul Morphy the first two games they played. Morphy won the next two games, giving Thomas a pawn and two moves. Later they returned to knight odds with the stipulation that an open game (e4-e5) be played. Morphy won three and drew one with the stipulation.(1) In 1860, Thomas participated in the first tournament of the Philadelphia Chess Club. Unfortunately, he lost to Gustavus Reichhelm in the first round when the later's strength was not recognized and Thomas gave him odds of a pawn and two moves, losing 3-1 with 1 drawn. Thomas played James Leonard a series of casual games on the latter's visit in 1861. Thomas had 8 wins, 6 losses with 2 draws.(2) In November of 1861, he was named President of the Philadelphia club. (3) After 1865, he apparently no longer took part in chess activities. Reichhelm mentions that he was still alive and living in Philadelphia in 1898.(3)
Quote: "Mr. Thomas remarked that you often make a move in chess on the same principle as in buying a horse, namely, on its general appearance." (3)
Sources
(1) The Pride and the Sorrow of Chess, David Lawson, pp238-240
(2) The Tragic Life and Short Career of James A. Leonard, John S. Hilbert, p114
(3) Chess in Philadelphia, Gustav Reichhelm, pages 8, 10, 27, 64
Kibitzing
