The Evening Herald

A Swiss music critic once remarked that every writer on Sebastian Bach should preface his discourse, no matter what and how much he intended to say, with the acknowledgment that it comprised but the one-thousandth part of what might be said or ought to be said on the subject. This holds equally good of our national game of chess. In the first place it is my agreeable duty to mention the gentlemen who have exerted themselves in behalf of the success of our first chess tournament in Klamath County. Messrs. C. C. Hogue, Mr. Borah, John Yaden and L. W. Miller started a series of chess games early last fall which finally culminated in the weekly meetings at the American Hotel. However, the gentlemen to whom we are indebted the most for the success of our present tournament are Messrs. Al. Sloan and J. E. Bodge, who brought the matter before the Military Band Club, asking them to open their doors for all the chess players in the city and the county, and to offer a trophy for the best player. This the band boys did and the tournament is on. Surely no better headquarters for our tournament could be found. The rooms are commodious and cheering and no better crowd of jolly boys could be found anywhere. Promptly at 8 o'clock the boys were matched and the war was on. What a battle! For a moment, and only for a moment, there was quietness, such as precedes a mighty storm. But, quicker than it takes the time to tell, the brave little fellows, the grand and noble infantry of chess, the horsemen, the bishops, the queens and kings, all were in battle royal. But who likes to describe the horrible scene of a battle ground: let it suffice to say that finally the greater part of the battle ceased. And methinks I could hear the shouts of a thousand voices under the clear blue Oregonian sky when platoons surrendered to platoons, companies to companies, regiments to regiments and brigades, and the victorious generals came marching into camp.

There has been a big interest displayed in the contest and the first evening shows that there will be many stiff games during the contest. Among the players who put up a particularly strong game last evening were: C. E. Muse, Allan Sloan, L. W. Miller, Roy Walker, R. E. Guthridge and Glenn Johnson. Other strong players may develop later in the series as it is not always possible to judge from the first game.

Following are the games played, the first name being the winner by taking two games: Arthur Leavitt vs. C. C. Hogue; C. E. Muse vs. E. M. Bubb; Allan Sloan vs. F. J. Bowne; L. W. Miller vs. J. E. Swanson; Roy Walker vs. J. E. Bodge; Roy Hamaker vs. R. Wyncoop. In the game between R. E. Guthridge and Glenn Johnson, who are both first class players, Mr. Johnson won one game and the rest were draws. They will continue playing until one has two games to his credit.

Others who were matched but could not play last evening were: F. H. Mills, J. G. Pierce, John Yaden, D. V. Kuykendall, A. L. Leavitt, E. B. Henry, W. W. Nickerson and Dr. C. P. Mason.

The next meeting will be Saturday, December 12, at 8 o'clock sharp.