The Nathan Spielvogel Era, 1881 - 1963
Editor’s Note — Bas van Riel:
Sherwood Orbost, 'Nathan F. Spielvogel, teacher, writer and historian', photograph, ca. 1925, State Library of New South Wales, P1/1615
After references to chess activities in Ballarat ceased in the Australasian in 1872, the Ballarat Directory for 1875 reported that chess and draughts were listed among the activities of the Mechanics Institute. Nathan Spielvogel noted in his compilation of the History of the Mechanics Institute that in 1880 a chess club was formed, and a room was set aside three nights a week for the exclusive use of the chess club members.
With club meetings recorded at the Mechanics Institute in 1865, 1875, 1885 and 1895, it seems clear that the Institute’s records would be a valuable source for further research.
A publication by E. I. Rosenblum in 1926 briefly described the Ballarat Chess Club and some of its notable members. T. Taylor and W. Tullidge played in interstate matches, and Lampe played in the 1888 Congress. Rosenblum also noted that the club was revived on 12 December 1892 (N. Spielvogel) for a period of eight years. The club’s best result during those years was a drawn match against an almost full-strength Melbourne Chess Club in 1894 (BvR: any reporting?).
Among its strongest players were J. Armstrong (3rd in the 1915 Victorian Championship and an interstate representative), N. Spielvogel (4th in the 1918 Victorian Championship and an interstate representative), and probably the best of them all, Herbert Lockett — though business commitments kept him away from chess.
The final reference for the 1800s appears in the Australian Chess Annual, which noted that “this is a club within the circle of members of the Ballarat Mechanics Institute and there is play daily”.
After 1900 the club faded away, but it was reformed and very active in the mid‑1920s, with an enthusiastic committee led by President J. C. Fletcher and Secretary N. F. Spielvogel. A Championship was played in 1924, won by a young Ernest Greenhalgh. The famous Ballarat versus Geelong matches were played in 1925 and 1926 — no small achievement in an age long before mass transportation.
In 2011 the clubs revived the practice and now hold an annual Challenge match over ten boards. In fact, the 2014 match was played in the very same room (the Smoking-Room referred to below in the Smoking-Room Incident) as that first historic encounter.
Bas van Riel
March 1884: The Smoking-Room Incident
The Ballarat Courier — 21st March 1884
“A very grave act of discourtesy, not to say tyranny, was perpetrated last night at the Mechanics’ Institute chess-room. Mr. Fisher, the well-known intercolonial chess-player, an old Ballarat citizen, now of Melbourne, had come by appointment with the Mechanics’ players, to play all the tables at once, giving each opponent a knight.
Before the play was finished, a member of the committee, Mr. Rawlings, came into the room and put out the gas, saying he would not permit the play to continue beyond the usual hours. The room was full of members of the institute, all of whom took a great interest in the match, and several gentlemen offered to pay for any extra gas that might be consumed, fortifying their word by relighting the gas.
Mr. Rawlings then ordered the gas to be turned off at the meter and the match was thus irretrievably broken up. An appeal was made that the small courtesy of permitting the match to continue ought to be conceded, but the appeal was rejected.
We certainly think that, seeing that billiards, with some not perfectly desirable accompaniments, are permitted by the committee till midnight, the more innocent and more educative game of chess under such exceptional conditions as those of the match last night, should not have been prohibited; and we presume that the members of the Institute will have something further to say upon the matter at the proper time.
What Mr. Fisher’s report will be to the Melbourne Athenaeum and chess players generally in that city, we leave to the evolution of events.”
Editor’s Note — Rob Loveband:
In response to the letter regarding “a very grave act of discourtesy” by Mr Rawlings, who turned off the gas lighting, a Mechanics’ Institute member stood up for “Mr R”, saying:
The Smoking-Room Incident
To the editor of the Courier
SIR, As the committee of the Mechanics’ Institute have delivered their dictum re the late fracas in the chess-room, kindly allow me, Mr Editor, space for a few remarks thereon. It must be patent to every habitual frequenter of the institute that Mr Withers’ complaint against Mr Rawlings for want of courtesy was quite uncalled for.
Even if Mr R. did err slightly on Thursday evening, the members and committee are bound to take into consideration his courtesy and consideration to the officers and members in the past when exercising his varied functions of the house committee, financier, literary adviser, and general factotum.
No doubt his success in these paths has raised him enemies jealous of his fame; but he can console himself with the reflection that he is not the only great man whose works have been unappreciated here below. Let us hope that posterity will appraise at its proper value the energy displayed by this gifted being in conducting the affairs of the Institute, as without his all-seeing and incessant care it must long since have collapsed.
Yours, &c.,
An Admiring Member
20th Feb 1886 — The Australasian
The tournament of the Melbourne Chess Club, which has been in progress for some time past, was brought to a conclusion in the club’s rooms in the Victoria Coffee Palace, on Monday evening. The two final players were Mr. C. N. Fisher and Mr. A. Burns, who competed for the chess championship of the Colony. The result was a victory for Mr. Fisher, who thus became the winner of the silver challenge cup. Mr. Fisher won every game which he played in the tournament, and Mr. Burns lost two games. Thus for the first time for years the championship has passed from Mr. Burns.
The cup has to be won twice before becoming the property of any player.
15th Aug 1893 — The Ballarat Star
Among the many clubs and amusements in Ballarat, not the least intellectual and refined is the Ballarat Chess Club in connection with the Mechanics’ Institute. It is the only chess club in Victoria outside Melbourne, and its promoters and officers deserve great praise for the energy and enthusiasm displayed in thus bringing the “King of games” to the front. The club has been formed but nine months, but still it has on the rolls over 30 subscribing members, all trying to bring more members, and all working for the interest of the game.
The club has just concluded an interesting handicap tourney, the first of a series of monthly tournaments, which was won by Mr Lockett; Mr Abrahams close up second. Another tournament commences this day, and among the list of entries are some of the best players in the district. The following handicaps have been declared:
Scratch — Lockett, Lampe.
Pawn and move — Clarke, Abrahams, Brestow.
Pawn and two moves — Crowe, Showman, Archer, Boake.
Knight — Richards, N. F. Spielvogel.
Knight and move — Barker.
Rook — S. Spielvogel, Knight.
13th Feb 1895 — The Ballarat Star
The Ballarat Chess Club on Monday visited Learmonth to play a match with the local club. The Ballarat representatives — Messrs Power, Spielvogel (2), W. F. Gordon, and S. Mitchel — gained an easy victory, winning nine games out of 10. The tenth game resulted in a draw. The visitors were hospitably treated, and returned to Ballarat greatly pleased with their outing.
21st Jul 1896 — The Ballarat Star
BALLARAT CHESS CLUB.
The annual meeting was held last week at the Mechanics’ Institute, when 12 members were present, with Mr J. L. Archer (the president) in the chair. The yearly report read by the secretary showed that the club was advancing. It mentioned that the chess congress of the Victorian Country Chess Association, which should have been held in Ballarat last Easter, fell through because of the rather awkward way in which arrangements had been planned. The executive of the Chess Association being in Bendigo and the affair to take place at Ballarat caused a lack of energy and enthusiasm. It is hoped to accomplish the matter next year.
The treasurer furnished a statement of receipts and expenditure, showing 20 financial members, with the result that after paying prizes, trophies, and chess magazine, a balance of £2 5s remained in hand. All present were pleased with the manner in which the club is progressing, and the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, resulting as follows:—President, Mr J. L. Archer (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs J. Rickard and A. W. Crowe (re-elected); treasurer, Mr R. R. Clarke (re-elected); secretary, Mr T. P. Jordan; committee (after a ballot), Messrs C. Gordon, H. Lockett, P. J. Brannagan, P. H. Lampe, and S. Spielvogel.
The members hope to hold a chess club dinner at the conclusion of the tourney for the president’s prize.
Trove link – https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/210360449
20 Jan 1897 — The Ballarat Star
Chess Championship of Australia
The chess congress at Warrnambool will be opened on Monday next. In order to induce competitors from various parts of the colony to attend, arrangements are being made for greatly reduced railway fares for accredited players. Bendigo will be represented at the congress by its two best players, Messrs Neale and Roberts.
The Ballarat Chess Club has given a donation towards the prize fund, but it is doubtful whether the club will be represented by any of its members in the tournaments, as owing to the holidays being over the leading players find a difficulty in devoting the necessary time.
The first prize for the minor tourney will be £15, with other prizes in proportion. In the major tourney the first prize will be £50.
18 Feb 1897 — The Ballarat Star
BALLARAT CHESS CLUB
A handicap tourney for a trophy presented by the president (Mr J. L. Archer) is now being played at the Mechanics’ Institute. Fifteen entries were received, and the following handicap was made: — Messrs B. B. Clarke, P. H. Lampe, C. Gordon, and N. F. Spielvogel, scratch; Messrs J. L. Archer, Thos. Opie, B. Weldon, T. F. Jordan, P. J. Rickard, S. Spielvogel, and A. W. Crowe, pawn and one move; Messrs P. Barnard and J. Curnow, pawn and two moves; Messrs T. Stirling and W. Drew, knight.
In the first draw N. F. Spielvogel beat Crowe, Gordon beat Weldon, Rickard beat Stirling, Drew beat Curnow, Clarke beat Opie, Jordan beat Barnard, S. Spielvogel had the bye. Messrs Lampe and Archer have yet to play to finish the round.
In the next draw the games will be as follows: — Archer v Clarke, Lampe v S. Spielvogel, Opie v Weldon, Gordon v Barnard, Jordan v N. F. Spielvogel, Stirling v Crowe, Curnow v Rickard, Drew a bye. By the conditions of the tourney, any player defeated three times has to retire.
18th Sept 1897 — The Weekly Times
Mr S. Spielvogel (the brother of Nathan Spielvogel) was born in Ballarat, on 14th November, 1875. Before learning the game of draughts he was well known as a chess player, having won the gold medal of the Ballarat Chess Club in 1894. When the Ballarat District Draughts Association was formed, about 3 years ago, he commenced the study of the game in earnest.
In 1895, while secretary of the Ballarat City Draughts Club in association matches, he made 98 points out of a possible 100, having played 54 games of which he won 52, lost 1 and drew 1. The Ballarat City Draughts Club won the premiership for that year. Mr Spielvogel is a great enthusiast in both chess and draughts, and is the life and soul of these games in the Ballarat district.
10 Nov 1897 — The Ballarat Courier
Ballarat Chess Club
A meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club was held on Monday evening at the Mechanics' Institute to clear up business for the year. Mr Rickards (vice-president) in the chair. The secretary announced that the prize-winners for the year were — Mr Chas. Gordon, the president's trophy and the championship of the club; Mr R. R. Clarke, the handicap tourney, with Mr Rickards second, and Mr H. G. Mann the minor tourney. Mr Gordon exhibited his prizes, viz., a set of gold links and silver coin case, which were much admired.
The club has had a busy year of chess, and the hope was expressed that the next year would show an increase in the way of play and membership.
22 Dec 1897 — The Barrier Miner
Spielvogel visits Broken Hill Chess Club
CHESS NOTES.
Mr. Spielvogel, a prominent Ballarat player, is on a visit to Broken Hill, and has played several games against members of the Broken Hill and Alma clubs with success. On Tuesday evening, 14th, he met Mr. Christenson at the Broken Hill rooms, and after a very interesting pawn ending the Broken Hill player obtained Queen against Knight, with a winning game.
27 Apr 1899 — The Ballarat Star
CHESS.
The chess tournament promoted by the Ballarat Chess Club was concluded at the Mechanics’ Institute on Tuesday evening last, when Messrs S. Spielvogel and H. Mann played off for first and second prizes. The former player gave his opponent pawn and two moves handicap, and won, after an hour's play. Mr Spielvogel went through the tournament without a defeat, playing altogether eight games. Mr Mann won five and lost three; while the third place was taken by Mr P. V. Barnard. The tournament was on the three life system, viz., three defeats throwing a player out.
The Ballarat versus Geelong and Melbourne Matches 1925–1926
Ballarat plays Geelong. From The Ballarat Courier, 26 April 1925. A photograph capturing the inter‑city match held at the Mechanics Institute, showing players from both clubs engaged in play during the 1925 fixture.
7 Sept 1925 — The Ballarat Courier
“Strategist met strategist yesterday afternoon and evening when the chess club of the Mechanics Institute met players of the Geelong Institution in the rooms of the former body. It is some considerable time since the game has been locally played in an inter-city sense, and a great deal of interest centred in it. On Wednesday evening the visitors arrived and were met at the station by Ballarat players. The match commenced yesterday and at the end of the afternoon Ballarat were holding the fort with a substantial majority.
However, a truce was called about 6pm and during a brief armistice, the opposing sides fraternised over an excellent dinner at Brazenor’s Alexandria Café. Mr. H.G. Morrow (President of the Mechanics Institute) presided when the time came around for toasts. He admitted that his knowledge of chess was limited. In fact as far as chess was concerned he appealed for mercy with Messrs Fletcher and Spielvogel (president and secretary of the Ballarat club). He had much pleasure in bidding the visitors welcome. The visit meant a revival of chess and he predicted a big future for the game as far as Geelong and Ballarat were concerned. It was a great and elevating social pastime. To him it was refreshing to learn the hold it had upon the men of Geelong.
Mr. J.C. Fletcher said that the more one knew of a subject the less one could say about it. He expressed pleasure at the large number of players who had come from Geelong. He trusted Ballarat would give Geelong a return match.
Mr. N.F. Spielvogel also welcomed the visitors. He was grateful he had learned what he knew of the game when a young man. He had played solo poker and auction but chess could beat the lot. A man could play it on his own without wasting time. Chess was a worldwide language and as far as the state of Victoria was concerned, he was never in a town where chess was not played. A Town v Country match should be played about September next, just as it was played about 1894. Or rather, he should say the intention of ’94 had proved abortive. It was pleasing to know there would be a return match.
Mr. Fallow (Captain of the visiting team) said Ballarat was a city where history was made and at the present time history was in the process of being made once more. Nothing similar to the present fixture had previously occurred between Geelong and Ballarat. He trusted this was but the first of many such matches and he looked forward to the return. Melbourne players would soon be visiting Geelong and there was no reason why matches should not be played by the three clubs and become seasonal events.
Mr. Sadeston spoke of the time when in the ‘70s, the Geelong club had been formed with the late Sir Graeme Berry as president, and Melbourne sent their players to the matches then. His first game had been against Prof. Andrews and he won. Ballarat’s entertainment had been right royal and he hoped Geelong would be given the opportunity later on to reciprocate.
Mr. W.C. Little, in proposing the toast of the president, trusted that the movement would grow strongly.
Mr. H.G. Morrow responded and paid a tribute to the secretary (Mr. H.C. Batten), whom he said had done excellent work towards guaranteeing the success of the visit. He was apparently untiring. At the conclusion players adjourned to continue the match.
In 2026 the Ballarat Geelong Challenge match was renamed after the president of the Ballarat Club, Mr.J.C.Fletcher and the captain of the Geelong team, Mr Fallow, to the Fletcher Fallow Shield. The results and reports of years 2011 to current year can be seen here...