EXTRAORDINARY CHESS PLAY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3557, 2 December 1882, Page 4

EXTRAORDINARY CHESS PLAY.

The annual blindfold exhibition of Mr J. H. Blackbourne, the celebrated English chess player, took place at the City of London Chess Club, at Mouflet's Hotel, Newgate street, on September 27. The room was crowded with chess enthusiasts, amongst them being some of the most notable players who took part in the late "Vienna tournament. Mr Blackbourne was pitted against eight players of high average ability, some of them being under what is technically termed "pawn and two" strength. Mr Blackbourne, who was not in reality blindfolded, occupied a seat at the far end of a long dining-room, with his back to tho eight players, who were seated at two oblong tables. Ho was so placed that he could not see the boards or men of his opponents, and, therefore, conducted all the games from beginning to end from memory alone. The play was conducted as follows : —A teller, whose business it was to call out the operations of Mrßlackhurne's eight opponents, declared each move distinctly, and Mr Blackbourne verbally dictated his response to every move made. At twenty minutes to six the contest began. Mr Blackbourne played very rapidly, and, considering the strength of his eight opponents, with considerable freedom. At 7.20 Mr Henziled was mated in two moves. Twenty minutes afterwards Mr Chappell accepted a draw. At five minutes past eight Mr Murray was mated in three moves, and at thirty-four minutes past eight Mr Down resigned. At five minutes past nine Mr Vyse accepted a draw, and at twentyfive minutes past nine Mr Stevens resigned. Ton minutes later Mr Cutler resigned, and at forty-five minutes past nine Mr Wilson followed his example. The result of a long period of scientific play then was that Mr Blackbourne won six games, and two were drawn, and he thus maintained his reputation as one of the greatest chess players of tho day.