The Spielvogel Era 1881-1963

Ballarat Chess Club History

The Nathan Spielvogel Era

After the references to chess activities in Ballarat stopped 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 the club meetings at the Mechanics Institute in 1865, 1875, 1885 and 1895 it seems the Institute’s record would be a good source of information for further researches.

A publication by E.I Rosenblum in 1926 briefly described the Ballarat Chess Club and some of its more notable members. T. Taylor and W. Tullidge played in Interstate matches. Lampe played in the 1888 Congress. It also mentioned that the club was revived on 12/12/1892 (N. Spielvogel) for 8 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?).
Amongst its strongest players were J. Armstrong (3rd in the 1915 Victorian Championship and an Interstate player), N. Spielvogel (4th in the 1918 Victorian Championship and also an Interstate player), and probably the best of them all, Herbert Lockett, but business commitments kept him away from chess.

(The final reference for the 1800s is in the Australian Chess Annual, for The Annual 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-1920’s, with an enthusiastic committee led by President J.C. Fletcher and Secretary N.F. Spielvogel. A Championship was played in 1924, which was won by a young Ernest Greenhalgh. The famous Ballarat versus Geelong matches were played in 1925 and 1926; this was no mean feat in an age long before mass transportation. In 2011, the Clubs revived the practice and now hold an annual Challenge match over 10 boards. In fact, the 2014 match was played in the very same room as that first historic match.

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.”

The Australasian 20th Feb 1886

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.

The Ballarat Star 15th Aug 1893

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.

The Ballarat Star 13th Feb 1895

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.

The Ballarat Star 21st Jul 1896

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 wore 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.I. 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.

The Weekly Times 18th Sept 1897

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 premier ship 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.

Also in 1925, the Club was visited by 12-time Victorian State Champion, Gunnar Gunderson, who gave a simultaneous exhibition, scoring 7.5-4.5; Nathan Spielvogel defeated him, while Ernest Greenhalgh held him to a draw. In the same year, the Club defeated a visiting team from Melbourne Chess Club.

The Ballarat versus Geelong and Melbourne Matches 1925-1926

Ballarat plays Geelong. From “The Ballarat Courier” 26 April 1925

“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 ‘70’s, 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.

THE PLAY

In about an hour H. Gordon scored first win for Ballarat. J. Hall won the next game, and T. Rauch won the third one. At the adjournment Gardiner (Ballarat) was leading 3.5 – 1.5. On resumption, the four top tables were all scenes of exciting play. Positions became intricate, requiring very careful watching to analyse.

At the top board Fletcher had valuable extra pawns in exchange for a piece. He pressed hard with these pawns and won.

At the second board Sabeston and Spielvogel (curiously enough both ex-headmasters from Wangaratta) had a strenuous fight which looked like a draw, but Spielvogel at last found a weak spot and drove it home, and won.

A long struggle took place at number three board between Odlum and Fallow. After over four hours of attack and counter-attack the game resulted in an honourable draw.

Another four-hour game was played at the fourth board between Greenhalgh and Fitzpatrick. It finished in a race for queen, and Greenhalgh got there first and won. The game at board six between C. Gordon and F. Glover looked very even, but the Geelong man worked up a good attack and won. H. Gordon won two games in good style from Dann, and Hall also showed good form by winning the two from Synot.

Rauch, of the Ballarat team helped to swell the score by winning two games gallantly from Hall. W.C.Little played well but found Holland too tough, and had to be content with one draw and a loss.

Dr. Wallace was the only Geelong man to secure two wins, though Martin gave him a good go in the second game. F Webb, at the eleventh board, playing very carefully wore his opponent, Nichterlein, down and won both games. The Geelong team, though defeated, proved themselves worthy foemen, and when playing on their own ground will certainly give Ballarat’s chosen men much more trouble.”

SCORES:

Ballarat: Geelong:

J.C. Fletcher 1 R. Hitcher 0

N.F. Spielvogel 1 R. Sabeston 0

T.R. Odlun 0.5 L. Fallow 0.5

R.W. Greenhalgh 1 T. Fitzpatrick 0

C. Gordon 0 F. Glover 1

H. Gordon 2 T. Dann 0

J. Hall 2 M. Synot 0

T. Rauch 2 F.S. Hall 0

W.C. Little 0.5 G. Holland 1.5

B. Martin 0 Dr. Wallace 2

F. Webb 2 N. Nichterlein 0

TOTAL:

Ballarat 12 Geelong 5

The Ballarat Courier 7th Sept 1925.

Ballarat plays Geelong.

Ballarat easily defeated Geelong in the return chess match on Saturday evening in Geelong. Of seven games played, Ballarat won five, drew one and lost one. Details:-

Ballarat Geelong

Greenhalgh 1 Hitchens 0

Odlum ½ Fitzpatrick ½

Spielvogel 1 Falls 0

Fletcher 1 Glover 0

Rauch 1 Wallace 0

Hall 0 Dann 1

Little 1 Synoit 0

The visitors were entertained at dinner on arrival. Mr.D.McLennon, president of the Geelong Mechanics’ committee welcomed the Ballarat players, and Mr.Fletcher responded.

The Ballarat Courier 24th May 1926

Ballarat plays Geelong.

Ballarat defeats Geelong

On Saturday afternoon and evening at the club room in the Mechanics’ Institute the annual match between the Ballarat and Geelong chess clubs was played. Unfortunately, Geelong brought only seven players instead of a dozen. At table one Odlum defended with a Sicilian against Keage. His defense was very sound but his opponent was stubborn, and it was only after three solid hours that Odlum secured a victory.

At table two Greenhalgh met the Geelong Keeleway, Fitzpatrick. The Ballarat man secured a good opening, and had a win in sight when he made an inexplicable blunder, and allowed his opponent to queen a pawn. This won the game for Geelong.

Fallow met Fletcher at board three and opened with an eerie-weird move known as the Geelong gambit. Fletcher was not disconcerted, but playing strongly secured a victory.

Spielvogel played a Vienna against Adams. He smartly won a pawn on the 6th move and another on the 15th move. He consolidated his pieces, and checkmated his adversary on the 40th move.

Wallace quickly secured his position against Webb, and at dinner adjournment the game looked bad for Ballarat. But Webb is best when he is hardpressed and by some clever strategic play secured a good draw.

Lancaster played Synot, and after some give and take got the advantage and had the honor of scoring first win for Ballarat.

Campbell played Robins. For a while the game was very level but Campbell took advantage of a weak move of his enemy and won a great game.

Wins Draws Wins

Ballarat Geelong

1 Odlum 0 Keage 0

0 Greenhalgh 1 Fitzpatrick 1

1 Fletcher 0 Fallow 0

1 Spielvogel 0 Adams 0

0 Webb 1 Wallace 0

1 Lancaster 0 Synot 0

1 Campbell 0 Robins 0

5 2 1

The visitors were entertained at dinner and supper. At the former the chair was taken by Mr. N.F.Spielvogel, President of the club and at the dinner by Mr. R. McGregor, President of the Mechanics Institute. A short toast list was given was given on each occasion.

The Ballarat Courier April 4th 1925.

The season was opened by the newly formed Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club on Saturday night, when a match was played between teams chosen by the president and the secretary. At no.1 table Fletcher and Spielvogel had a great struggle. The latter won a pawn early in the game, but Fletcher playing very well managed to secure a draw. At the second table Odlum won both games from McKay, while at table 3, C.Gordon won both games from Lancaster. At table 4 a prolonged struggle was fought between Little and Webb. At the call of time the first game was not finished and was adjudicated in favor of Little. At table 5, Hall won his two games from Hassell. At table 6, Rees had a piece from Martin but just at adjournment time he lost his queen and the game.
The results were:

President.                Secretary
Wins                Draws                Wins
– Fletcher, J.C.    1           Spielvogel, N.F.-
2 Odlum, T.         0           McKay, G.        0
– Lancaster, A.    0           Gordon, G.        2
1 Little, C.           0           Webb, F.           0
2 Hall, J.              0            Hassell, T.        0
1 Martin, E.         0            Rees, W.          0
6                      1                                    2

The Ballarat Courier July 20th 1925.

Melbourne versus Ballarat.

A team from the Melbourne Chess Club will visit Ballarat in August to play the local club. In preparation for this important match team matches will be played each Saturday night in the club room. All members should play in these as the team will be chosen from the most successful players

The two winter tournaments are now concluded. The Major Tournament which was not a championship as reported in the Metropolitan Press, was won by Greenhalgh, who won six out of seven, losing only to Fletcher. Fletcher, Odlum, and Spielvogel tied for second place, each losing one game and drawing two games. The Minor Tournament resulted in a tie between Webb and Lancaster. They played a match to decide and Webb won. He becomes an A player now.

A proposal has been made to play a series of correspondence matches against some NSW club.

Mr Rauch’s class for beginners has not started operations, so there is yet time to hand names in the Library at the Mechanics’ Institute.

The Ballarat Courier Aug 31st 1925.

Ballarat defeats Melbourne.

On Saturday night a team from the Melbourne Chess Club visited Ballarat and played a match at the Mechanics Institute against the local club. The match commenced at a quarter to eight and was finished at ten fifteen.

At board 1 Greenhalgh played Berman. He opened strongly, and quickly gained an advantage which he pressed home and secured victory.

At Board 2 Spielvogel found Keage a very cautious player, who watched very carefully. Spielvogel gained a pawn and had the better position, but through a weak move lost the pawn again and a draw was agreed on.

At Board 3 Odlum played Pearce, and soon got a strong position, gaining a good win.

At Board 4 Rauch and Biggs had a merry little game, which resulted in a draw.

At Board 5 Hall met Rev.Brain. After some steady play Hall sacrificed a piece for a mating position and won.

At Board 6 Lancaster met Colville. He played rather impulsively and got into a bad position and was forced to resign.

The match resulted in a win for Ballarat: 3 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss.

The visitors were entertained at supper at the Wattle Palais. Mr.McGregor, President of the Mechanics Institute was in the chair.. He proposed the health of the visitors, and said that chess must be a great cementer of friendships. He condoled with the losers and cordially hoped that they would be the losers in the return match.

Mr.N.F.Spielvogel spoke to the toast. He said the result was of little importance, but the match and similar matches must stimulate interest in the great game.

Mr.Biggs, humourously responded to the toast. He said they had one or two other players in the Melbourne Club. He knew all about Ballarat chess now and when the return match came there would be a different story.

The Ballarat Courier 27th May 1925.

Visit of Mr.Gunderson. Simultaneous Exhibition.

Members of the recently formed Mechanic’s Institute Chess Club considered themselves highly favored when the Secretary (Mr.N.F.Spielvogel) received a reply from Mr.G.Gunderson accepting an invitation to visit Ballarat. Mr.Gunderson for several years was the chess champion of Victoria, and it was realised that exhibition games by him would be very beneficial to the club, particularly to those members who have taken the game comparatively lately. Instead of playing match games against one or two leading players Mr.Gunderson expressed his desire to give an exhibition of simultaneous chess, stating that if the club wished it, he would engage a dozen or more players at the one time. The strain which such a display entails can well be realised for concentration of thought is one of the essentials to successful chess.

Play commenced at half-past 7 o’clock, twelve boards being arranged in the smoke room of the Institute in parallel rows of six each. These were so placed that Mr. Gunderson could pass along the six boards on one side of the room, and then along to the other six without having to do undue walking from end to end of the room. Throughout the exhibition he was on his feet, so that the physical tax was no slight one. This combined with his having to adjust his mind to the state of the game at board after board, and move his pieces rapidly while his opponents had ample time to think out their respective moves, added to the severity of his task.

The Ballarat players in the order of which they sat were: Messrs. J.C.Fletcher, E.Martin., E.Greenhalgh, W.Pickford, H.Gordon, T.R.Odlum, A.Pascoe, F.Rauch, J.Hall, N.F.Spielvogel, F.Webb, and C.Gordon. Arrangements had been made for a number of spectators to witness the play, and they were greatly interested in the proceedings.

Play had been in progress for an hour and three quarters, before the first result was made known, the visitor claiming first win against Rauch. Five minutes later he had his second, checkmating Pascoe with the rooks in parallel files. At 20 to10 H.Gordon failed to keep his opponent’s queen at bay, and lost. Five minutes later Gunderson proclaimed his game against Pickford a draw. The visitor had made an obvious error early in the game, and lost his queen, but by fine play he recovered from that disadvantage, and the game closed with each player having five pawns to support his king. Pickford, who is one of the latest members to take to the game, was warmly congratulated upon his effort. Webb was beaten at 10 o’clock. Fletcher was the first winner for the night amongst the locals. He had all the worse of the attack, being for some time on the defence. But after some time he succeeded in turning the tables on Gunderson and win in the end game. Gunderson opened with pawn to king 4, and Fletcher responded with an irregular opening.

Soon after the visitor resigned to Hall and made a draw with Greenhalgh. The next announcement was the defeat of C.Gordon followed by that of Martin. That left only Odlum and Spielvogel playing, but the end soon came, Odlum getting a draw and Spielvogel a win.

C.Gordon 0 Gunderson 1

J.Hall 1 Gunderson 0

E.Greenhalgh ½ Gunderson ½

E.Martin 0 Gunderson 1

W.Pickford ½ Gunderson ½

J.C.Fletcher 1 Gunderson 0

N.F.Spielvogel 1 Gunderson 0

F.Rauch 0 Gunderson 1

H.Gordon 0 Gunderson 1

T.R.Odlum ½ Gunderson ½

A.Pascoe 0 Gunderson 1

F.Webb 0 Gunderson 1

4½ 7½

Prior to the start of play Mr.J.C.Fletcher, president of the club, received Mr.Gunderson, and expressed the pleasure which the members felt at his having come to Ballarat. Mr.Gunderson briefly responded. At the end of play a hearty vote of thanks was passed to him at the motion of Messrs.N.F.Spielvogel and T.R.Odlum.

Mr.Gundesrson said that he was amply repaid for his visit if it served to stimulate chess in Ballarat.

At the close of the evening Mr.Gunderson was entertained at the Wattle.

Minutes of the inaugural meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club held at the Mechanics Institute,

Ballarat on the 7th of March 1946.

Mr Spielvogel was elected to be the chair. Mr Spielvogel be elected President. Major Perdue be elected Vice-President Mr Douglas be elected Secretary-Treasurer.
The President called for a show of hands of those present who were always willing to become members of The Mechanics Institute, explaining that unless this condition were fulfilled, it would be an impossible for the person concerned to attend regularly. The vote showed that almost all present were willing Mr Glenn suggested that the championship be run in two divisions the runners-up the Venus of the section to play off.to become members not already so.
The President suggested that a night be set aside for meetings. After discussion Friday nights were considered most suitable and the members present agreed with the president that the opening night be Friday the 8th of March 1946. Start at 7:30.

Subscriptions were collected from those present: Messrs. N. Spielvogel, Archdeacon Best, Maj. Perdue, A. Best, A.P. Douglas, W.W. Spencer, Hall, L.M.Gunn, Restarick, T.H. Trengrove, F.Donaldson, A. Hyatt, J. Zuinlan (?), T.Hudson, J. Cook, R. Wilson.

Archdeacon Best moved that the Secretary buy a bound minute book. The President and Vice- president addressed the meeting and moved a vote of thanks to Mr Spencer for his enthusiastic work in getting the club formed. Carried with acclamation.
Mr Hall addressed the meeting and recalled previous chess clubs formed in the Institute. The President adjourned the meeting so that the members could play chess at 8:45 p.m.

At the annual meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club on the 14th of March, 1949, Mr N. Spielvogel was elected President. Mr Purdue said that Mr Spielvogel had held the club together over the years, and he hoped that he would be spared for many years to remain in office. Carried with acclamation.
Mr Glenn suggested that the championship be run in two divisions, the winners of the sections to play off.

The Argus Tue 15 Nov 1949, Page 11
The Ballarat Chess Club’s annual championship tournament was won by Mr R. Wilson, who won 14 and lost 4 of the l8 matches he played. Runner-up was Mr J. Purdue and third Mr R.
Eldridge. Mr Wilson received a gold medal.
The minor tournament winner was Mr A. A. Turner, with Mr L. Gunn runner-up.

The 4th annual report of the Ballarat chess club the 21st of April 1950.
Once again this year those members who have attended our regular Friday night meetings have enjoyed the friendship and play.
Attendances, this year, have been slipping from the very high standard set in the past, which is to be regretted. Again this last year we have been fortunate in having the corporation of the Mechanics Institute in making available this room and equipment. And to whom our best thanks are due.
The Major tournament, this year, was won by Mr Wilson, who beat Messrs. Perdue and Glenn by 5 and 6 points, respectively. Mr Turner headed Mr Gunn in the Minor Championship, and the congratulations of the Club are proffered to the winners. d within the Club, it is a matter for regret that attempts to contact other country clubs with the thought of competition have ended in failure.

The annual meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club on 21st of April 1951.

Mr Perdue moved that Mr Spielvogel be re-elected with appreciated remarks on the excellent record of Mr President. Mr Glenn seconded and supported these remarks and added that there was likelihood of many good new players joining the club.
Regarding Championships, Mr Perdue suggested that the championship should take a shorter time. Other members seemed to think that the tournament could not be too abbreviated. Mr.Cook suggested that because of the credit balance we should obtain a chess clock.

The annual meeting was held at the Mechanics Institute on April 17th 1953, when Mr O. Glenn was elected President and L.M. Gunn in his absence was elected Secretary. It was decided to hold a District Championship during the winter months. This commenced in June and extended until the end of the year. An elimination contest was played, leaving 8 players to play off for the Championship and those eliminated played off for a Minor Championship.
The result of the Championship was as follows: J. Lesins 8.5; A.Shuya 8; R.Wilson 7; J. Melderis 6.5; W. Adams 5; J. Licis 4.5; E. Bauers 2.5; Aldridge withdrew.
The Minor Championship result was: O. Glenn 8.5; L.Gunn 7; J.Perdue 6.5.

At the beginning of the season a match was arranged against the Venta (=Latvian M’bourne club; via Teters? ed.BvR) club and played at the YMCA on a Saturday afternoon. It resulted in a win for the Ballarat Club. Most members of the Venta Club joined forces with the Ballarat Club and met regularly at the Mechanics Institute.

During the year Mr Arthur Teters joined the club and played in the Australian Open Championship held at Melbourne over the Christmas holidays, and he succeeded in becoming joint holder of the Australian Championship. A very good performance and one which the club wishes to congratulate him on obtaining against strong players.

*ed BvR. This is factually incorrect. It probably refers to another Latvian, Karlis Ozols, who jointly won in M’bourne in 1957. Why was this entered into the minutes of 1953 though, one wonders…?

December 5, 2024December 12, 2024

The Founding/Fisher Era 1856 -1880

The First Ballarat Chess Club (1856)

The first Ballarat Chess Club was formed at Henry J.Brun’s Cigar Divan on Monday, 16th June 1856. The Ballarat Times reported this meeting on 18th June and it included the rules and regulations of the new club. These are, infact, the first published rules of a Victorian chess club. The formation of the club was also reported in The Ballarat Star on June 19th 1856, but this issue of the paper no longer exists. The Treasurer of the new club was Mr.Tuckett. Other names mentioned in the newspaper report of the meeting are Messrs. Pine, Hammond, Bunington, Morgan, Carter and Robertson, all of whom presumably became members. The rules provided for a Treasurer and Secretary only. Mr Tuckett may have been the sole official. The club met three times a week at Brun’s Cigar Divan and the quarterly subscription was 1 pound.

It is unknown how long the 1856 club lasted. We have not been able to find any information about the people and names involved in the chess club, nor recovered any of their games, nor are aware of any competition they had been part of in these very first years of a Ballarat Chess Club.

A number of chess clubs were founded in Victoria during the 1850’s (Melbourne 1851, 1855 and 1857, Geelong 1855, Beechworth 1857, Ararat 1859) but the constant movements of the population during the gold rushes mitigated against the clubs lasting for very long. The first Ballarat Chess Club is no exception, and it seems to have petered out like the others.

The Cigar Divan was located in Main Road, with Mr.Henry Brun as the recorded owner of the shop. A Cigar Divan was a British invention, a mixture of a shop, where cigars were sold, and a club/cafe type of establishment where customers were offered a stimulating atmosphere to smoke their cigars, have a drink and socialise. In England, chess playing-facilities often were provided by ‘Cigar Divans’ in order to entice customers to stay longer, thereby spending more money.

The stretch between Eureka and York Street of Main Road was the centre of Ballarat in the very early days of the town, because it was close to the first alluvial gold discovery at Golden Point. However, the Ballarat Star (March 1857) reported that Henry Brun (a former tobacconist, it said) had moved on, one year after the foundation of Ballarat’s first Chess Club and that hehad bought Brun’s Hotel, also in Main Road. He sold or had leased his Cigar Divan to one Miss E. Marriott and that is where the story of the first Chess Club stops, unfortunately.

To give an idea how Ballarat looked like at the time of the first Chess Club, the attached photograph shows Ballarat at the junction of Main Road, Sturt Street and Bridge Street in 1857. It also refers to Henry Brun, ‘our first landlord’, and his new hotel. To make the picture more complete, it would be nice to solve the puzzle of where exactly the original Cigar Divan, alias the first Ballarat Chess Club, had been located in 1856.

Black and white Photograph of the lower end of Sturt St, 1857, showing the Congregational Church in the RH corner A typed caption has been pasted at the top of the print reading “Lower end of Sturt St 1857. 1)Right corner Congregational Church now Gas Company; 2) No buildings on north side but path to Bruns Hotel; 3) Scores of tents at Golden Point; 4) Humffray’s Book shop Corner of Bridge Street.

References:

The Ballarat Times 18th June 1856

The Ballarat Star, June 19th 1856

Chapter 2. The Establishment of the 2nd Ballarat Chess Club in 1865.

The Ballarat Star, Saturday 25 February 1865.

A CHESS CLUB,

SIR,-It is a remarkable fact that although we have in Ballarat clubs and societies of almost every description, we do not possess, and (so far as I am aware) never have possessed a chess club. There are probably four or five hundred chess players in the town, many of whom would be delighted to have the opportunity of enjoying a quiet game; and there are doubtless many others who would gladly learn it, if facilities offered for their doing so. With a view to test public feeling on the matter it is proposed to hold a meeting to discuss the subject, of which notice is given in your advertising columns. Trusting so on to commence (at the club) as I now end,

I am, sir,

24th February. KINGS PAWN TWO MOVES.

The Ballarat Star, Wednesday 1 March 1865.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the formation of a chess club was held on Tuesday evening in the Mechanics’ Institute, Mr P. O’Connor in the chair. The formation of such a club was decided upon, and it was resolved that it should also embrace draught playing, and be called the Ballarat Chess and Draught Club. A sub-committee was formed for the purpose of drawing up rules and communicating with the committee of the Institute for the purpose of obtaining a room for the use of the members. The committee will bring up its report on Saturday evening, when a general meeting of the club will be held. Thirty members are already enrolled.

The Ballarat Star, Tuesday 7 March 1865.

A general meeting of the Ballarat Chess and Draft Club was held on Saturday, when the rules, as prepared by the sub-committee, were amended and adopted. Mr Daniel O’Conner was elected president, Dr Richardson vice-president, and Mr C.Fisher honorary secretary and treasurer. A committee was then chosen, consisting of Messrs Bolton, Kemp, Marshall, and Pennell. The club will meet every Thursday and Saturday, in one of the classrooms of the Mechanics’ Institute, at 7.30 p.m.

The subscription for members of the Institute is to be 2s 6d per quarter, and non-members 5s, with an entrance fee of 2s 6d. About 35 names have already been handed in.

The Ballarat Star, Friday 10 March 1865.

The members of the Ballarat Chess and Draught Club met on Thursday evening, in the Hall of the Mechanics’ Institute, and played a number of games. The club has already nearly forty members enrolled, and that number bids fair to be speedily increased.

The Ballarat Star, Wednesday 14 February 1866.

The Ballarat chess tournament, the commencement of which we noticed some time ago, was concluded a few days ago, and resulted in favour of Mr. Charles Fisher, who has succeeded in proving himself champion of the Ballarat Chess Club. Since the conclusion of the tournament, Mr. Fisher has played with a gentlemen lately, we believe, from Geelong, who, according to his own account, had beaten all the chess players in that lively town. The Geelong player evidently considering that Ballarat could not furnish an antagonist worthy of his steel, never joined the local chess club, and, we understand, that he would not even condescend to compete with our inferior players—as he appeared to consider them—unless here was some stake on the game. Accordingly, Mr. Fisher, departing from his usual rule of not playing for money, accepted the challenge of the Geelong champion to play him the best five of nine games for 3 pound aside. The match was, of course, regarded with a considerable amount of interest by the members of the club, and it resulted in the utter discomfiture of the Geelong representative, who by the way is now a resident of Ballarat. Mr. Fisher won the first five games running, and thus teaching his opponent a lesson to respect a little more the talent to be found in the Ballarat Chess Club.

The Ballarat Star, Friday 23 Feb 1866.

At the annual meeting of the Ballarat Chess Club, held last night in the Mechanics’ Institute, Mr D.O’Connor in the chair, the annual report was read, showing the club to be in a very prosperous condition.

A letter from the secretary of the Melbourne Tournament Committee was read, inviting the members of the club to take part in the ensuing tournament, to be held next month in Melbourne. It was resolved to reply, expressing the regret of members at their being unable to accept the invitation owing to their inability to devote the necessary time.

Various alterations were made in the rules. The following gentlemen were elected for the year, viz:-Mr D. O’Connor, president; Mr C. Fisher, vice-president; Mr J. M. Connell, secretary and treasurer; and Messrs R. Mitchell, J. Harvey, C. Watson, and T. Gaggin, members of committee.

The Argus, Monday 2 April 1966.

During the afternoon Mr. Fisher, the winner of the Ballarat tournament, paid the rooms (of the Melbourne Chess Tournament, BvR) a visit, and played a game with one of our strongest amateurs. We hope before the matches are concluded to see some more of our Ballarat friends at the scene of friendly strife, and take this opportunity, in the-name of the chess players of Melbourne, to assure them of a hearty welcome, and if we cannot give, to take in good part a sound drubbing.

Apropos to this last, I believe that in the event of the formation of a club here, the gage of battle has already been thrown down by Ballarat for a game by correspondence.

This would be a most interesting match, and would in itself tend greatly to give stability to a club, as each individual member would feel his individual chess reputation to some degree at stake on the issue of the contest.

It has been too much the fashion to decry games of this class, and consultation games also, as tedious and uninteresting; but for giving a thorough and solid knowledge of the game, and cultivating the habit of analysis, we believe them to be unequalled by anything.

Chapter 3. Ballarat Handicap Chess Tournament: Sept.1866 – Apr.1867 newspaper reports

As far as I know, this is one of the first chess tournament held in Australia, albeit restricted to players from Ballarat. It probably was the longest ever played, lasting over a period of no less than 8 months (i.e. September 1866-April 1867), and ending in beautifully reported controversy.

Amongst the players was the winner Charles M. Fisher, one of the strongest players in the ‘colony’ of Victoria. A database of 47 of his games can be found on the internet: http://www.chessgames.com/player/charles_marshall_fisher.html. They are amongst the oldest recorded games of Australia.

The old newspaper reports include beautiful and flowery descriptions of the chess-scene in Ballarat, more than 150 years ago.

Bas van Riel

The Ballarat Star 8 Sept.1866, pg 2

A meeting of the Ballarat chess tournament committee was held last evening at the Mechanics’ Institute, when the players entered were handicapped and paired off by lot. There are still two more entries required, and as these will be forthcoming to-day, we shall be enabled in our Monday’s issue to give the complete list of the players. The tournament will commence on Tuesday evening.

The Ballarat Star 15 Sept 1866

The chess tournament has at length been finally arranged, under the most favourable auspices, and it has been decided by the committee that play shall commence on the evening of Tuesday, 11th September, at the Mechanics’ Institute. Fourteen days will be allowed for the first set of matches to be played off, and it is hoped members will not exceed that time, as by doing so the tournament will be protracted and the other competitors will be delayed from commencing the second series of matches. It has been arranged for the winners in the first set to play for the first, second and third prizes. The committee, with the view of equalizing the play, has taken great pains to discover the relative strength of the respective players, so that neither should have any undue advantage, and has accordingly divided them into four classes- the first class giving the second a pawn and move, the third a pawn and two moves, and the fourth class a knight. The following is the list of entries, together with their classification:

First Class- Messrs J.M.Connell, C.Fisher, and A.G.M’Combe.
Second Class- Messrs W.H.Batten, R.Bristow, H.Deveril, T.W.Gaggin, J.A.Harvey, W.Hogarth, R.S.Mitchell, A.Mongredien, D.O’Connor, J.B.Partridge, F.W.Tatham, and C.M.Watson
Third Class- Messrs Davey, Kennedy, H.M.Pascoe and J.Taylor
Fourth Class- Messrs J.Campbell, J.P.Fennings, G.Fisher, J.Holdes, and J.A.Wilson.

The players have been paired as follows by lot:-

Batten-Holdes 0-1
Bristow-Gaggin
Campbell-M’Combe
Connell-Taylor 1-0
Davey-Partridge 1-0
Deveril-O’Connor 1-0

Fennings-Hogarth
C.Fisher-Pascoe
G.Fisher-Harvey 0-1
Kennedy-Mitchell
Mongredien-Tatham 0.5-0.5
Watson-Wilson 0.5-0.5

The chess tournament, since its commencement, has progressed favourably, and the chess-room is almost every evening crowded with players. Already no less than nine games have been played off, and more would probably have been concluded were it not that many of the competitors refrain from playing to the last moment, in order to make themselves proficient in the openings. See above for the list of the games already finished.

The Ballarat Star 10 October 1866.

The Ballarat Chess Tournament.
The tournament ahs advanced another stage, and the winners are now placed against each other. The losers are also matched to play for the smaller prizes. The chess room was enlivened since our last report by a visit from the 2nd prize taker in the Melbourne tournament, and in a game which he had with one of our strongest players here he was worsted, but he pleaded as his excuse his want of practice for some months past. A chess match with Melbourne by correspondence has been spoken of, and it is probable that a series of games between the two clubs will shortly take place.
The pairs among the winners of the past contests who now play for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes are Mr.Davey v Mr Watson, Mr Deverill v Mr Connell, Mr Fisher v Mr Harvey, Mr Gaggin v Mr M’Combe, Mr Hogarth v Mr.Mitchell, Mr.Holdes v Mr Mongredien.
The losers in the first contest who play for the 4th and 5th prizes are paired as follows:- Mr Batten v Mr Fennings, Mr Bristow v Mr Taylor, Mr Campbell v Mr Kennedy, Mr G.Fisher v Mr Pascoe, Mr Tatham v Mr Wilson, Mr O’Connor v Mr Partridge.

The Ballarat Star 9 November 1866.

The Ballarat Chess Tournament.
The chess tournament is now drawing towards its close, and since our last report of its proceedings, a very large number of games have been played. Only four players are now remaining, Messrs Fisher, M’Combe, Mitchell, and Watson. It is generally thought that the honor of first place will fall to the first-mentioned player, who has not yet lost a game in the tourney, but Mr. M’Combe brings with him a home reputation of no mean order, and Mr Watson, with the odds of pawn and move he receives, will stand a fair chance. The winners of the pairs previously given were Messrs Watson, Deveril, Fisher, M’Combe, Mitchell, and Mongredien, who were again divided, the result of their play being as follows: Mr Deveril v Mr Fisher 0-2; Mr Mitchell v Mr M’Combe; Mr Mongredien v Mr Watson 0-2.

The games among those who lost in the first matches have resulted in leaving six players, the winners among whom will come for the 4th and 5th prizes. In the pairs previously mentioned in a report in the Star for these prizes, the winners are Messrs Batten, Taylor, Kennedy, G.Fisher, Tatham, and O’Connor who have been again divided by matching Mr Batten against Mr Taylor, Mr.Kennedy against Mr Tatham, and Mr G.Fisher against Mr O’Connor, but none of these opponents have as yet played off.

The Ballarat Star 24 April 1867.

The Ballarat Chess Tournament has at length been concluded, resulting in the first prize falling to Mr.C.Fisher, second prize Mr.C.M.Watson, third prize Mr.A.M.McCombe, fourth prize Mr.C.Q.Kennedy, and fifth prize to Mr.W.H.Batten. The tournament has, on the whole, been a very successful affair.
A meeting was held on Wednesday last for the presentation of prizes. The first consist of a very handsome set of Staunton’s ivory chess men, in a carved ebony box, with handsome board, value ten pounds. The second prize is five volumes of Wright’s Encyclopedia, handsomely bound, value seven pounds. The remaining prizes are mostly books.

Subsequent published reports about the Ballarat Handicap Chess Tournament controversy

The Australasian May 1867.

The Chess Tournament organised by the above club has, we are informed, been brought to an unsatisfactory termination, and the contests decided in a somewhat arbitrary manner, inasmuch as the degree of Champion has been conferred upon a competitor before the stipulated number of games has been played, and the second place given to another who had previously become, through defeat, ineligible to compete for that honour.

We glean from the correspondence before us that the competitor referred to first adopted the extremely slow-movement tactics of play, consuming repeatedly half an hour, and in one instance an hour and a half, over a single move, and by this process prolonged one game over two evenings, and another game over three evenings, occupying about six hours each sitting; that after losing the second game he refused to proceed with the match until he had had an opportunity of studying the “irregular” openings and defences adopted by his opponent; and that after a lapse of several, weeks he announced his readiness to continue the match, but at a time when it was impossible for his opponent to play, and through this default was declared the victor.

Whilst there is no law by which the time of moving can be limited, it is a well-known fact that from four to six hours is the average time required to contest a well-played game; and having examined carefully the games above referred to, we confess our inability to discover any intricate positions in the play of either combatants to warrant the unusually long time spent over these games. We also consider that the refusal of a player to proceed with a match until he had acquired a knowledge of the particular style of play adopted by his opponent is an innovation of the laws and chivalry of chess, and should disqualify the player from further contest with that opponent.

The Australasian 11 May 1867

The remarks which we were called upon to make in our last issue with reference to this tournament have produced an angry protest from Ballarat, and we regret that the intemperate language used by the writer thereof, and the introduction of the name of a third person, preclude the publication of that communication in our columns.

Our statement, however, that the championship has been conferred upon a competitor before the stipulated number of games had been played is substantially admitted, whilst a general contradiction is given, to the other portions of the report.

Our remarks about slow play were founded on what we believe to be reliable information, corroborated by the receipt of the two games which occupied five sittings, in one of which games it was shown that a whole evening was consumed over moves Nos. 19-26, and this we decidedly call slow play.

With reference to the statement that a player refused to proceed with the match until he had had an opportunity of studying the “irregular” openings and defences adopted by his opponent, we have the positive assurance of one the players that such is the fact, and that an interval of nearly four weeks elapsed between the second and third games, namely, from about the 19th December to the 12th January. A correspondent also furnishes us with the following particulars of the mode adopted in pairing the players in the fourth and last rounds, and which completely corroborates our statement, that the “second place had been given to a player who had previously become, through defeat, ineligible to compete for that honour.”

Our correspondent states: -“In the fourth round the competitors were reduced to three, say A, B, and C. These names were written on cards, and with a blank card were placed in a hat, and drawn out in the presence of the secretary in pairs. A. and the blank were drawn together, and according to the rules which govern chess tournaments, A. became a winner in that round. B. and C. were necessarily drawn together, and B. became a winner also in that round. In the fifth and last round (and which always terminates a chess tournament) there were only two players left, A and B, none others being qualified to compete for first and second prizes. Therefore, if a second prize has been awarded it is an injustice to either A. or B”.

We are also referred to the latest similar case on record in the Chess Players Magazine of November last, where, in a tournament between the members of the Birmingham Chess Club, the above mode of pairing odd numbers was adopted, and where the players paired with blanks were declared winners in which blanks were drawn.

Before quitting this subject we would, in the interest of chess, suggest the desirability of the gentlemen interested in the first and second prizes finishing the match by correspondence or by the medium of the telegraph, and would be glad to facilitate the arrangement of preliminaries if both players were agreeable to play in the way suggested.

Postscript by BvR.

The above controversy seems to implicate the two top finishers of the tournament, Fisher and Watson, in a serious way. I find it hard to believe that they were involved, in light of the many subsequent reports which speak highly of their distinguished careers in chess, as well as in their professions. Both men apparently were highly regarded by their peers. However, it is highly likely, that the ‘controversy’ was actually unrelated to the Handicap Tournament, but rather to the tournament played early 1867 in Smythesdale, and won by Mr.T.Taylor.

Chapter 4. The Ballarat Star 26 April 1869

Challenge by Mr. Andrew Burns for a match against Charles Fisher.

The chess players of Ballarat noted with no little interest, a few weeks since, in the columns of the Australasian, a challenge from Mr. Andrew Burns, of the Melbourne Chess Club, to play any player in the colony, giving the odds of pawn and move, and assuming in his letter that he is the champion player of Victoria. Some of our Ballarat admirers of the game, while admitting this so far as Melbourne is concerned, seem very much to doubt Mr. Burns’ superiority over at least one of our local players, and to test the matter have had conveyed to Mr. Burns their willingness to match our local champion-Mr. Fisher-for a trophy of what value he pleases.

It now comes out that Mr. Burns can only play in Melbourne, and, in fact, that his challenge had some other object than to apply to the chess players of Ballarat. Now, a match to be played in Melbourne would, at least, occupy a fortnight; and very few indeed could for so long a time absent themselves from their business engagements. We would, however counsel Mr. Burns to abstain from any egotistical boasts of his prowess until he gives every opportunity to some noted provincial chess player to measure their strength with his.

The Ballarat Star 27 April 1869

Letter to the editor from W.Simpson, Melbourne Chess Club.

“Sir,- Referring to the paragraph on this subject in your issue of 26th instant, will you permit me to state that I have received from some admirers of Mr. Burns’ play instructions to submit the following:-“Terms of proposed match at chess between Messrs Fisher and Burns:-
1.The stake to be 100 pounds or upwards, 20 pounds being allowed to the player who has to leave home.
2.The player, who first wins seven games to be winner of the match.
3.To ensure the match being finished within a reasonable time, play to be continued every afternoon at six o’clock from the date of commencing the match (Sundays excepted), and on Saturday from two or three ‘clock, and each player to have two hours for making thirty moves, the time to be measured by hour-glasses.
4.The match to be played either at the Mechanics’ Institute, Ballarat, or in the room of the Melbourne Chess Club, and no spectators except the umpires to be present, unless with the consent of the players.
5.Two gentlemen to be appointed (one by each player) as umpires, to arrange preliminaries and decide disputes, with power to appoint a third in the event of their disagreeing.
6.No game to be adjourned without the consent of both players and, in the event of adjournment, no analysis of the position to be allowed.
7.The match to be played under the rules laid down in Staunton’s Praxis.
Further, permit me to state, that, as to the challenge as to the odds of pawn and move, Mr. Burns has written me thus: “I am quite prepared to adhere to it in the case of any player, on the terms mentioned, namely- to give the pawn and move, and the match to be played at the Melbourne Club, for a trophy, if my opponent so desires.” It is obvious that no match at odds and move could decide the championship; and your paragraph referred to is taken to be a challenge upon the part of the admirers of Mr. Fisher to contest the championship.
Mr. Burns has personal objections to play for money; and the proposition to do so emanated from Ballarat and passed through me to Mr. Burns’ backers. Mr. Burns, however, in view of the excellent counsel given him at the conclusion of your paragraph, waives these objections; and I am fully authorised by his backers to conclude arrangements during my stay; and in sporting parlance, I am to be heard at the Royal George Hotel,-Yours etc “

The Ballarat Star 29 April 1869

Letter to the editor by Charles Fisher

Sir
A letter appears in your issue of the 29th inst. from Mr. Simpson, conveying a challenge from Mr. Burns, of the Melbourne Chess Club, to play me an even match for the championship of the colony. So far as the challenge itself is concerned I am quite willing to accept it. But in respect to the terms of such challenge, viz., that it is to be 100 pound a-side, I must beg to decline; and would merely remark that it is not my intention to do so. Your correspondent also remarks on some challenge thrown out to Mr. Burns in a paragraph in Monday’s Star, and further states that the proposal to have money on the match came first from Ballarat. I beg distinctly to state that I know nothing of either, and no one was authorised by me to make any proposals. At the same time I should be most happy to play Mr. Burns a friendly match when convenient.
Your, etc,

Chas Fisher