CHESS NOTES.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9305, 4 January 1896, Page 3

CHESS NOTES.

Mr Blackburn's recent astonishing outburst on the subject of chess-playing as a mental exercise has called forth numerous protests. A summary of the interview appears to have been telegraphed to America, and in reproducing this the Baltimore News, of which Mr W. H. Vollock is the chess editor, says :— " What a contrast is this idle, bitter, and jaundiced pessimism to the noble attitude of England's former great leader in chess, Howard Staunton ! What a contrast to the enthusastic praises sung to the noblest of games by the veteran Steinitz ! What a contrast to the logical and temperate efforts of Laskcr to estimate the game at its true worth ! What a contrast do the line 9of these giant forest trees afford to the beautiful but tangled exuberances of the swamps of genius bereft of the fertile soil of industry !" A London correspondent states that Queen "Victoria was much interested in the Hastings tournament. Her Majesty was formerly an excellent player, having learned the game from her Jrusband, and is reported to be partial to the fascinating Muzio Gambit. She rarely plays now, but delights in watching members of her family play. She often criticises the moves, and explains how a check-mate might have been avoided. As a chess-player Her Majesty is superior to all the members of tho Royal Family, except the ex-Empress Frederick.