I have keyed in the following report from an undated and unsourced press cutting provided by Bill Pettigrew. With the help of Michael McDowell (Westcliff-on-Sea), Chris Williams (Rotherham) and most especially Sylvia Pybus (Local Studies Librarian at Sheffield Libraries) the date and source of the cutting has been identified and some obscurities in Bill's copy clarified. The cutting is from the Sheffield Daily Telegraph of 27th March 1908 and reports events that occurred on 26th March 1908. If anyone has any more information about this simultaneous display, especially any more of the games, I would be very pleased to hear from them.
WORLD’S CHAMPION IN SHEFFIELD
PLAYS 26 GAMES SIMULTANEOUSLY
PLAYS 26 GAMES SIMULTANEOUSLY
One of the most important events in the chess history of Sheffield took place last night, when Dr. Emanuel Lasker, the champion of the world, paid a visit to the Sheffield Chess Club and gave an exhibition of simultaneous play. Dr. Lasker is one of the most eminent players that has ever lived. Born in Prussia forty years ago, he made his claim to rank with the masters at an early age. When about 24 years old he came to England and achieved great success against the strongest native players. In a subsequent American tour he enhanced his reputation.
It was in 1894 that he gained the world’s championship, defeating Steinitz, who had held the title 28 years, by 10 games to five, with four draws. Two years later he played a second match with Steinitz, and won by a more substantial majority. Only once since then has he been called upon to uphold his title. This was last year, when he accepted a challenge from the brilliant American player Marshall. In that encounter Dr. Lasker easily proved victorious, winning by 8 to none, and 7 draws. The champion’s successes in international tournaments have been numerous, and though he has several great rivals, he stands to-day the acknowledged head of the chess world.
Last night he gave one of those remarkable exhibitions of chess played against a number of opponents, by which masters have long been accustomed to display their skill against amateurs. He met altogether 26 players, including most of the strongest members of the Sheffield Chess Club. It was a formidable team for any master to encounter, and gave Dr. Lasker as severe a task as any he has had to perform during his present successful tour in this country. But he emerged from the ordeal with triumph. He lost two games – one to Mr. E. Dale (the Yorkshire champion) and the other to Mr. L. Eppenheim. He drew with four opponents – Messrs. H. D. Rockett, F. E. Foster, C. A. Smith, and H. H. Bromham.
All the other 20 games were won by the champion, the losers being Messrs. A. E. Harrison, G. Breakwell, E. F. Gardner, J. E. Brown, J. D. Hendry, L. F. Miller, W. H. Sparkes, A. O. Boardman, G. H. Harrison, J. Orange, H. H. Holroyd, J. T. Dayson, W. Knowles, M. T. Miner, W. Driver, W. J. Dingley, G. H. Longdin, J. H. Hirst. F. H. Reynolds and E. Lewis.
The performance attracted great interest, and there was a large gathering of spectators, from Sheffield and the district. The champion will again be at the club tonight, and will give a lecture on the games of the immortal Paul Morphy.
Chris Williams has provided the game against E Dale, which Lasker lost by playing inexplicably (to me, at least) badly.
It was in 1894 that he gained the world’s championship, defeating Steinitz, who had held the title 28 years, by 10 games to five, with four draws. Two years later he played a second match with Steinitz, and won by a more substantial majority. Only once since then has he been called upon to uphold his title. This was last year, when he accepted a challenge from the brilliant American player Marshall. In that encounter Dr. Lasker easily proved victorious, winning by 8 to none, and 7 draws. The champion’s successes in international tournaments have been numerous, and though he has several great rivals, he stands to-day the acknowledged head of the chess world.
Last night he gave one of those remarkable exhibitions of chess played against a number of opponents, by which masters have long been accustomed to display their skill against amateurs. He met altogether 26 players, including most of the strongest members of the Sheffield Chess Club. It was a formidable team for any master to encounter, and gave Dr. Lasker as severe a task as any he has had to perform during his present successful tour in this country. But he emerged from the ordeal with triumph. He lost two games – one to Mr. E. Dale (the Yorkshire champion) and the other to Mr. L. Eppenheim. He drew with four opponents – Messrs. H. D. Rockett, F. E. Foster, C. A. Smith, and H. H. Bromham.
All the other 20 games were won by the champion, the losers being Messrs. A. E. Harrison, G. Breakwell, E. F. Gardner, J. E. Brown, J. D. Hendry, L. F. Miller, W. H. Sparkes, A. O. Boardman, G. H. Harrison, J. Orange, H. H. Holroyd, J. T. Dayson, W. Knowles, M. T. Miner, W. Driver, W. J. Dingley, G. H. Longdin, J. H. Hirst. F. H. Reynolds and E. Lewis.
The performance attracted great interest, and there was a large gathering of spectators, from Sheffield and the district. The champion will again be at the club tonight, and will give a lecture on the games of the immortal Paul Morphy.
Chris Williams has provided the game against E Dale, which Lasker lost by playing inexplicably (to me, at least) badly.
