George Koltanowski had visited Scotland in September 1937, when he had set a world record for simultaneous 'blindfold' play in Edinburgh.
He returned to Scotland in February 1938, for engagements in Glasgow and Edinburgh. His first appearance was at the Jewish Institute in South Portland Street, Glasgow, on Saturday the 19th. Here he played 'blindfold' against 10 opponents: J.A. Stewart (Polytechnic); J. Ogilvie (Clydebank); W. Allan (Ayr); M. Davis (Bohemian); A.J. Honeyman (Motherwell); T. Lennox (Bridgeton); W. M'Bride (Darvel); C.E. Simon (Bohemian); A.A. Thomson (Polytechnic), and A. White (Bristol). After five hours play Koltanowski had won 8 games and drew 2, with J. Ogilvie (Clydebank), and J.A. Stewart (Polytechnic). The Glasgow Herald states that there was "...a large and appreciative audience...".
On Thursday, 24 February Koltanowski was at the Edinburgh CC, where he played 16 opponents across the board and simultaneously. After 2½ hours play, the Master had won 15 games and allowed 1 draw to Mr A.A. Foster. After, he gave a short lecture on the importance of endings study.
Sources:
Glasgow Herald, February 19 and 26.
The Scotsman, February 21 and 25.
Alan McGowan
Historian, Chess Scotland
