FUGITIVE ASSERTS HE IS CHESS EXPERT

Montreal Insurance Man Arrested Here on Theft Charge Made by Boston Doctor.

Nehemiah Jasnogrodsky, who asserts that he has an international reputation as a chess player, having taken part in several important chess matches under the name of Jasno, was arrested yesterday at 116th street and Third avenue by Detectives Allen and Cassidy, of the Central Office, on a charge of the larceny of $310 from James Krauss, of Boston.

The arrest was made on a telegram from the Boston police, and Jasnogrodsky will be held to await extradition papers. He gave his age as forty-nine and said he was an insurance agent in Montreal.

Dr. Krauss Says His Acquaintance with Jasnogrodsky Was Costly. [SPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD.]

Boston, Wednesday:— Dr. James Krauss, who has offices at No. 419 Boylston street, is well known as a student and educator. Six or seven years ago Nehemiah Jasnogrodsky, who was an agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, was introduced to him as a chess player and they became friends.

Dr. Krauss says that his acquaintance with Jasnogrodsky cost him several thousand dollars, but the specific charge is the larceny of $310, which he is accused of having obtained on a note.

DIZZY IZZY.

New York Insurance Man's Career In Bay City.

A dizzy several months' stay in Bay City, his marriage to the daughter of a Jewish rabbi, magnificent entertainments and a big bunch of unpaid bills will be brought into the limelight by the issuance of a warrant for Naum Jasnogrodsky, a New York Life Insurance agent. Jasnogrodsky was one of the smoothest things that ever came to Bay City. He appeared a little over year ago and started in to write big policies. He touched nothing less than $25,000 policies, he told the many acquaintances he made. He exhibited a policy for $100,000 on the life of a Saginaw man and other big ones on the lives of local men, and merely casually referred to his enormous commissions.

He became acquainted with Miss Anna Landau, daughter of the late Rabbi Wolfe Landau, one of the best known rabbis in the state. A courtship of a few months was marked by expensive presents of jewelry and lavish entertainment. His gifts to his bride-to-be were matters of comment everywhere.

Jasnogrodski Case.

Chief of Police Murphy and Prosecutor Orr were denied extradition papers for Naum Jasnogrodski wanted in Bay City on a charge of getting $1,400 from Bernard Sempliner, a tailor, on alleged false pretences. Gov. Higgins, of New York, ruled that there was merely an exchange of notes, and that no crime was involved in the alleged crooked transaction. The local officials are being criticised for taking the junket, as Sempliner has sent an attorney and the presence of the officials is regarded as unnecessary.

I'd seen reference to 1893, but I also had in mind:

<He is a native of Russia, and came to this country in 1892 to participate in chess exhibitions during the Columbian Exposition in Chicago.>

Nicolai Jasnogrodsky (kibitz #30)

The name <Nechemia> isn't used by anybody, even if it was technically his birthname.

All chess sources use either Nicolai or Nikolai (though EDOchess does mention Maurice).

<Nicolai Jasnogrodsky> was the name used in a contemporaneous ACM issue where he annotated a game. Presumably this is the name he himself wanted used in connection with chess.

We're primarily concerned with what's best for chess usage, and it's fairly clear to me that <Nicolai> is right.

Nicolai Jasnogrodsky (kibitz #46)

PS- Maurice should be added to the list of alternative names in the bio.

Unfortunately, the corrupt volume is the one linked at <Chess Archeology> (<jnpope> - you there?).

Luckily, the Harvard copy is OK, and it contains the obit for <Jasnogrodsky>.

It lists his name as <Nicolai Jasnogrodsky>.

On April 23 at the Montefiore Home in New York city death claimed another master chess player in the person of Nicolai Jasnogrodsky, who, however, had not been very prominent in chess circles for many years. The deceased was born in Lubny, Russia, on August 6, 1859. After having made a name for himself in England during the eighties, he came to this country and spent many years here. For some time he was a familiar figure at the metropolitan chess clubs and resorts, but commercial pursuits later occupied his attention. At Amsterdam in 1890 he attained his mastership, and three years later he participated in the "Impromptu" international tournament in New York. In 1896 Jasnogrodsky won the New York State championship, and he also found a strong defense against the Rice Gambit which bears his name. In a match with H. E. Bird, the English master, the Polish expert made an even score in thirteen games. His style of play was bright and snappy, but in later years he had a predilection for the "swindles" made famous by the American champion.>

I should construct a better reply, but at the moment I'm a little tried.

Where's "Aug-17-1859" from?>

I think it comes from here (posted back in 2011):

<N. Jasnogrodsky, the Polish expert, arrived in this city on Monday. He was born at Poltawa, Russia, on Aug. 17, 1859, but it was only eight years ago when he commenced playing the game of chess at Vienna. At that time Albin used to allow him the odds of a queen. From Vienna he went to Paris, where he played at the Café de la Regence.

A few years ago he made his appearance at the famous London resort, Simpon’s Divan, on the Strand. After some practice with London masters he played several little matches, of which he won those against Cook of Synopsis fame, Loman, and Kaiser, the well-known Liverpool amateur; the veteran, Bird, however, drew a match with the Pole.

Jasnogrodky’s forte, however, lies in blindfold and simultaneous play. At Brighton, England, he once played twenty-six games simultaneously, of which six were conducted blindfolded. He won twenty games over the board, won three blindfold games, lost two, and drew one. The Polish expert exhibited his skill during the last few years at all the principal clubs of England and Scotland, and achieved considerable success.

<New York Sun, 1893.09.24, Section 2, p10>>

The first name problem is very similar to Steinitz: born Wolf, but changed it to Wilhelm after moving to Vienna, and finally becoming William after moving to America (and is buried as "William Steinitz").

Jasnogrodsky was born Nechemia, went by Nicolai during his chess career, and afterwards went by Naum.