Early Y.M.C.A. — Long distance chess match

Brains — and patience — were at work at the Glens Falls Young Men’s Christian Association.

“The chess match with Brooklyn is creating considerable interest among the members of the association. The boys realize they have quite a task on their hands, and will use every endeavor to win the game,” The Morning Star reported on Feb. 2, 1894.

This would not be a regular chess match with players sitting across the board from one another.

Rather, it was a long-distance match, in which a move in one city would be sent to the other city for a countermove, and visa versa, with the match lasting seven months.

“The two match games of chess with the Brooklyn association are progressing, although it is too early in the play to state that either side has any advantages, as the openings have not yet been fully developed.”

Meanwhile a similar shorter-distance match was started.

“Yesterday afternoon another match was started with the Saratoga Association, the latter taking the opening. A decided interest is being taken by the members of these games.”

Interest in the chess matches was increasing, The Morning Star reported on Feb. 10.

“Most of the local players gather in rooms during the evening and all moves and counter moves are carefully analyzed before they are sent away.”

The intensity continued.

“The chess games with Brooklyn and Saratoga are becoming more interesting each day,” The Morning Star reported a Feb. 20. “The different openings have developed into definite plays and each succeeding move becomes more important.”

The matches became a spectator sport.

“All lovers of chess are invited to call at the rooms while the match games with Brooklyn and Saratoga are in progress,” The Morning Star reported on Feb. 23. “Little groups of players are engaged in analyzing the games every afternoon and evening, and a lively interest is being taken in the outcome of these matches.”

The matches were still being played in April.

“The match games of chess between Glens Falls and Brooklyn and Saratoga are becoming daily more interesting. They have reached a stage where the development of the game is more plainly indicated by the various moves, and consequently more care is necessary in analyzing them,” The Morning Star reported on April 5. “One of the games with Saratoga has reached a stage where something may be expected to drop.”

The chess match made news at Brooklyn.

“The Brooklyn Eagle last week published a diagram and a complete analysis of the recent game of chess between the association players in this village and Brooklyn. The game was the Evans gambit, and it was won by Brooklyn,” The Morning Star reported on June 12. “In his analysis, the expert from the city council of churches kindly points out to the local players where their moves were altogether wrong, and where they could have been improved upon in other plays. This is piling Pelion upon Ossa with a vengeance.”

There was little reporting on the match after that, until it ended in September.

“The Young Men’s Christian Association Chess Club has won the game conducted by correspondence with the Chess and Checkers Club of the Brooklyn Association,” The Morning Star reported on Sept. 6, 1894. “Hermann Helms, secretary of the latter organization, has written to General Secretary Atwood acknowledging the defeat of the Brooklynites in terms very complimentary to Glens Falls chess players.”

A repeat match was already in the works.

“He also challenges the local club to another game on the same terms. The challenge has been accepted and the gambit forwarded by the Glens Falls boys.”

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