1923

Scottish Chess Association The Scottish Chess Association hold their 36th annual congress at the Athenaeum, St. George's Place [Glasgow, Ed.], commencing on Friday, December 29th. The tournaments include one for the Scottish championship. First prize, £10, the Spens memorial gold medal and possession of cup for year; second, £5; third, £3; fourth, £2 (if 8 compete).

The Ladies' championship. First prize: £4, title of Lady Chess Champion of Scotland, and possession of cup for year; second prize, £2; third, £1.

A Major tournament, with prizes of like value.

A Minor tournament. First prize, £3; second, £2; third, £1.

Also lightning tournaments and additional competitions.

Richardson Cup Richardson Cup.-In the first round Glasgow defeated Burns C.C. by 4½ to 1½, though C. Wardhaugh, on the top board, won against W. Gibson. Edinburgh inflicted a heavy defeat on Queen's Park, the score being 6½ to ½. Dundee beat Falkirk by 5 to 2. The Bohemian C.C. scratched to the Central Club. The semi-final round will be Glasgow v Central and Dundee v Edinburgh.

Spens Cup.-On December 2nd, Greenock beat Gourock by 5 to 2, and Paisley defeated Alloa by the same score.
BCM 1923, January, page 12.

Obituary The death occurred last month of Mr. Roderick Scott, J.P., of Glasgow. Aged 86, Mr. Scott was a prominent player and ex-president of the Glasgow C.C., and was very popular in both chess and city circles. he died at sea, while on a voyage to Australia for the benefit of his health.
BCM 1923, January, page 18.

Scottish Association Congress

Spens Cup In the Spens Cup the semi-finals are between Paisley and Glasgow Ladies and kelty v Greenock.

West of Scotland In the West of Scotland championship J. Marshall has scored four consecutive wins; J.A. McKee has scored 3 out of 4.
BCM 1923, February, page 56.

Obituary We also hear with regret of the death early in November of Mr. R.M. Ross, of Fortrose, who was a well known and very strong player in Calcutta thirty years ago.
BCM 1923, March, page 74.

Richardson Cup, semi-final: The remaining semi-final tie between Glasgow C.C. and Central C.C. was played on Saturday, February 3rd, at the Athenaeum, a keen contest ending in favour of the Central by 4½ to 2½-for the cup holders to score so badly with such a strong set of players is rather unusual. However, the result lends variety to the final, and it remains to be seen whether the central can win their match with Edinburgh C.C., the other finalist. Only once before have the Central C.C. won the cup, and they have now a second chance of victory. Score of the above tie:-

Bd	Central			Glasgow
1	A.V. Logie	½	½	Wm. Gibson
2	J.R. Draper	1	0	Jas.A. McKee
3	D.M. MacIsaac	1	0	A. Murray
4	R. Walker	½	½	Jas. Borthwick
5	J.H. Whyte	1	0	Jas. Marshall
6	A. Smith	½	½	J.M. Nichol
7	J.H. Elliott	0	1	A.J. Neilson
		4½	2½

BCM 1923, March, page 87.

Richard Réti Herr Réti has been giving several simultaneous exhibitions. ......; at Glasgow, won 13 and lost 3; and on a second occasion won 14 and drew 3:...
BCM 1923, March, page 88.

The recent tie for the Scottish Championship between W. Gibson and Dr. R.C. Macdonald, will probably be played off in April, as a date convenient to both gentlemen in that month.

Edinburgh CC The Championship of the Edinburgh C.C. has resulted in a triple tie between H.K. Handasyde, A.J.D. Lothian, and G. Page.

Glasgow League Glasgow by defeating Central by 6 to 3, won the First Division of the Glasgow League, and Queen's Park II defeated the Glasgow Ladies by 4 to 3 in Division II.

Richardson Cup The Richardson cup final was played at Edinburgh C.C. on Saturday, 10th March, Central C.C. being Edinburgh's opponent. Glasgow C.C. having been defeated by Central in the semi-final-somewhat unexpectedly perhaps-the chances of Edinburgh again winning the cup were improved. Although central made a good fight Edinburgh won comfortably by 5 games to 2. H. Jackson made a welcome appearance on Edinburgh's side, after some years' absence from these matches, and won his game. Scores:-

Bd	Edinburgh			Central
1	David Simpson	0	1	A. V. Logie
2	G. Page	1	0	J.R. Draper
3	H.K. Handasyde	½	½	D.M. MacIsaac
4	A.J.D. Lothian	1	0	A. Smith
5	R.T.R. Sergeant	1	0	R. Walker
6	H. Jackson	1	0	J.H. Whyte
7	A.A. Foster	½	½	R.C. Borland
		5	2

BCM 1923, April, page 129/130.

West of Scotland The West of Scotland championship has been won by J.A. McKee, and Macfarlane cup by the club's [Glasgow CC, Ed.] secretary, W.H. Jones.

The Spens cup final tie was played on March 17th and resulted in a win for Greenock by 4½-2½.....
BCM 1923, May, page 180.

Edinburgh CC The Championship of the Edinburgh Chess Club has been won by G. Page. There was a triple tie as has already been reported, but A.J.D. Lothian retired, and G. Page beat H.K. Handasyde by 2 to 1 in the tie match.

The Edinburgh Chess Club in their centenary year have won both divisions of the edinburgh League without losing a match, or a game by default.

Glasgow CC William Gibson has again won the Championship of the Glasgow Chess Club and holds the "Outram" Cup for the year. The result of the Tournament was a tie between W. Gibson and D.M. MacIsaac, with 6 each-and W. Gibson won the tie game. The other scores were: J.A. McKee and A. Murray 5½, H.J.N. Walsworth 5, J. Marshall 4, J. Borthwick 2½, J.H. White [sic: J.H. Whyte? Ed.] 1, H. Parlet ½. Gibson has won on 11 occasions in 20 years, J.A. McKee 6-while one year they tied, without playing off.

The tie between W. Gibson, of Glasgow, and Dr. R.C. Macdonald, Inverness, for the chess championship of Scotland, was played off at Glasgow, and resulted in a win for the former by 1 win and 2 draws….The champion won the title first in 1907. This is his sixth victory, and third consecutively, and he thus becomes the permanent holder of the valuable cup presented to the S.C.A. by the late Rankine Simpson, of Edinburgh.
BCM 1923, May, page 181.

Edinburgh CCv Glasgow CC On Saturday, April 21st, a match between Edinburgh and Glasgow Chess Clubs was played at Glasgow. This season is the centenary one of the Edinburgh Club, and they are making special efforts to celebrate the occasion. The last match between them was played in 1915, when Glasgow won easily.

It had been arranged to play 21 boards, but at the last moment two od the Edinburgh players were unable to play, and R.C. Macdonald and W.G. Crum stayed down for the Glasgow team, but the games were not played.
Play started at at 3-30, and an adjournment was made for tea at 5p.m., when Mr. Crum, the president of the Glasgow players, welcomed the visitors, expressing how much more pleased they were to see them than their other visitor from the same quarter during the week. Mr Thompson responded.
As will be seen from the detailed score below, Glasgow won comfortably by 11½ to 7½, but had the match been 10 a-side matters would have been reversed, for Edinburgh would have won by 6½ to 3½. The four top players on each side were all Richardson cup players, and from the point of view of western chess it is distinctly disappointing the find the score-Edinburgh, 4; Glasgow, 0. This proves, if proof were needed, that the edinburgh club were full value for their success in carrying off the Richardson trophy this year. Full score:-

Bd	Glasgow CC			Edinburgh CC
1	W. Gibson	0	1	G. Page*
2	J.A. McKee	0	1	D. Simpson*
3	A. Murray*	0	1	H.K. Handasyde
4	J.M. Nicholl	0	1	R.T.R. Sergeant*
5	J. Birch*	1	0	A.B. Foster
6	A.V. Logie	½	½	G.W. Hives*
7	D.M. MacIsaac*	½	½	J.G. Thomson
8	Jas. McGrouther	½	½	R.S. Rankine*
9	Thos. McGrouther*	0	1	S.W. Murphy
10	H.J.N. Walsworth	1	0	E. Shanks*
11	C. Macdonald*	1	0	E. Tyrrell
12	W. Sharp	1	0	D.W. Robertson*
13	T. Rutledge*	½	½	P. Nisbet
14	W.T. Logan	1	0	Prof. Ba[e?]rger*
15	P.D. Walker*	1	0	Major Ewing
16	A. Levy	1	0	W.L. Thomson*
17	W. Barrowclough	1	0	R.P. Steele*
18	S. Whiteley*	½	½	D.S. Graham
19	Rev. Dr. Blake	1	0	J.Y. Laing*
		11½	7½

* Players so marked had the move.
BCM 1923, May, page 181/2.

The championship of the Glasgow Ladies' Chess Club was won by Miss Gibb, after a triple tie between the winner, Miss E. Gibb, and Mrs. Brockett. This is Miss Gibb's first success. There were six entrants.
BCM 1923, June, page 205.

Edinburgh Ladies' The nineteenth annual meeting of the Edinburgh Ladies' Chess Club was held at the Club Rooms, 20 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, in May. The hon. secretary, Miss Malcolm, reported that 26 matches had been played during the season, and that the Robertson cup trophy had been won by the Glasgow Ladies' Club. After playing two matches, the club championship was won by Miss Mercer, the former lady champion of Scotland.
The season continues until the end of July and next season commences early in October.

Central CC The Central C.C. (Glasgow) have removed to the Regent Restaurant, 51 West Regent Street. Arrangements have been made to have tables set aside in the smoke room for the use of members daily till 10 p.m. and for the winter season a suitable private room has been acquired for two nights weekly, from 5 to 10-45 p.m.

Glasgow CC The annual general meeting of the Glasgow Chess Club was held at the Athenaeum on the 31st May, W.G. Crum presiding in th chair.
The Scottish championship cup was won outright by Wm. Gibson, who is a member of the club, and the League championship shield was again secured by the club's team.
The president presented the West of Scotland championship cup and prize to J.A. McKee. The club championship Outram cup, first prize, W. Gibson; second prize, D.M. MacIsaac. The Minor championship McFarlane [sic. Macfarlane? Ed.] cup and Spens memorial gold medal to W.H. Jones; second prize, a tie between W.G. Crum and P.W. Walker. The danish Gambit tourney, first prize, James Borthwick; second, C. Wardhaugh. The Handicap tourney, first prize, A. Martin, class I; second, W.G. Crum, class 2. W Black medal for best score in matches, W.T. Logan.
BCM 1923, July, page 240

Queen's Park CC (Glasgow) The Chess Editor of one of the Scottish papers has been givingsome interesting particulars of some of the Scottish clubs. Of the Queen's Park Chess Club [in Glasgow, Ed.] he gives a summoning notice, under date 22:9:1873, signed Alfred T. Jago, to atend a meeting at Mr. Park's Academy, Struan Terrace, on the 25th, at 8 p.m., and as a result a club was formed with a membership of 26; consequently the Queen's Park Chess Club will reach the age of 50 next month.
The original minute book is still in use. Down through the years the doings of the club are recorded. It is amusing to note that with the purchase of the first sets of chessmen and boards, there was, in those "churchwarden" days, this item "Half-a-dozen spittoons."
The first president was Dr. Ebenezer Duncan, who died last year, but was a regular attendant until his death. He presided at the first dinner on 28:4:'74. The club defeated Helensburgh in its first match. In the '80's J.D. Chambers, still alive, but now living at Cardiff, was a prominent member.
The club won the Spens Cup in 1903, the team consisting of J.C. Semple, now in Liverpool, Dr. Forrester, J. M'Kea, C.M. Donald and W.R. Pitt (then hon. sec.), all of whom are still alive, and still keen enthusiasts.
J.M. Nichol, with the three last named, are largely responsible for the present prominent position of the club. The present president is A. Martin, and the hon. secretary is A.E. Dodd.
BCM 1923, August, page 291.

October 30th - Death of Andrew Bonar Law

Glasgow League The following clubs have entered for the competition for the trophies provided by the Glasgow Chess League:-
Division 1.- The Bohemian, Central, Glasgow, Queen's Park, and Polytechnic clubs. This is exactly the same as last year, when Glasgow won.
Division II.- The Bearsden, Bohemian, Cambuslang, Clydebank, Co-operative, Ladies', Queen's Park, Stonelaw U.F. Church, Polytechnic, University, Central, and Kilsyth clubs. This is the same number as last year, but two clubs-Motherwell (last year's winners) and Govan-have dropped out, while Clydebank, Co-operative and the Stonelaw U.F. clubs have come in.
Division III.- Five clubs, the same number as last year, will compete-viz., The Bohemian, Central, Clydebank, Ladies', and Glasgow Corporation Water Works C.C. The last club is a newcomer, taking the place of Bearsden.

Glasgow Ladies' The Glasgow Ladies' C.C. have started their season at their new rooms, "Eldon Cafe", 94 Renfield Street. The secretary is Mrs. Brockett, 27 Gibson Street, Hillhead. The club meets on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons.

Central CC The Glasgow Central C.C. opened their season on October 2nd, in their new rooms at the "Regent Restaurant", 51 West regent Street, and meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Teams will play in the Richardson Cup competition and the three divisions of the Glasgow League.

Alekhine visit The visit of the Russian chess mater, A. Alekhine, to Scotland was an undoubted success and gave pleasure to many chess players. Against the Glasgow C.C. on October 2nd, he won 31, drew 2 and lost 2. Against the central C.C. (Glasgow) on October 3rd he won 18 and drew 2. At Dundee on October 4th, he won all 17 games. At Edinburgh Ladies C.C. on October 5th and at Greenock on October 6th, his score was the same: 21 wins, 2 draws and one loss.
The hope was freely expressed that this his first visit to Scotland would not be his last.
BCM 1923, November, page 403

East of Scotland v West of Scotland
Saturday, November 17th 1923, in the Ca'doro Restaurant, Glasgow.
BCM 1923, December, page 435/6.

The 37th annual congress of the Scottish Chess Association will be held in Lamb’s Restaurant, 56 Reform Street, Dundee, under the auspices of the Dundee CC, on Friday, December 28th, 1923, and succeeding days. The annual business meeting will be held on Monday, December 31st, at 3 p.m….
All entries must be made to the Secretary of the S.C.A., C. Wardhaugh, Moray Cottage, Cardross, Dumbartonshire, on or before Monday, December 17th.
BCM 1923, December, page 440.