The Manhattan Chess Club (1877-2002)
by Bill Wall
In 1877 chess players met at the German café, Cafe Logeling, 49 Bowery Street in lower Manhattan. Mr. C. W. Logeling was a chess enthusiast and eventually built a room in the back of the cafe for chess.
On November 24, 1877, it was decided to form a chess club at the Café Logeling Chess Rooms. There was discussion to name it the Metropolitan, Morphy, or Manhattan Chess Club. There were 32 original members.
On December 1, 1877, 37 members showed up for the first regular meeting. The entrance fee was $1 per person and dues were $4 per year. The first Manhattan Chess Club Constitution, rules of play, and the regulations for tournaments and matches were written by Thomas Frere (1820-1900). Frere assisted in the formation of the Brooklyn Chess Club in 1856. The first chess book in the Manhattan CC library was The Chess Openings by Henry E. Bird, published in London in 1877.
On January 7, 1878, the first Manhattan Chess Club handicap tournament was held. First prize was a gold medal.
In 1878, the following were elected as officers of the Manhattan Chess Club: President, Leopold H. Hellwitz; Vice-President, Alfred Ettlinger (1852-1919); Treasurer: Dr. Louis D. Cohn; Recording Secretary, C.W. Logeling; Corresponding Secretary, Charles A. Moehle (1859-1898); Executive Committee, Thomas Frere and Dr. T.H. Lurie. (source: Chicago Daily Tribune, March 3, 1878)
On April 4, 1878, the Manhattan CC has its second quarterly meeting. They received $53.00 in dues and had spent $41.53, leaving $11.47 in the treasury. The meeting approved spending another $6 on three chess tables.
On July 4, 1878, there were 53 members in the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1879, the top Manhattan Chess Club members were Charles Moehle, L. Bloch, David Graham Baird (1854-1913), John Washington Baird (1852-1910?), and Nicolai Gedalia (1857-1880).
On February 21, 1879, the Manhattan Chess Club held its 2nd annual banquet at the Café Logeling. There were 89 members with a treasury of $116.49. The club officers were: President, L.H. Hellwitz; Vice-President, D. Graham Baird; Treasurer, L.D. Cohn; Corresponding Secretary, Louis Cohn; Recording Secretary, C.W. Logeling.
On April 16, 1879, the Manhattan Chess Club sponsored a “living chess” exhibition at the Academy of Music in New York called the grand “Tableaux d’Echecs Vivants.” The game was conducted by Captain George Henry Mackenzie (1837-1891) and Eugene Delmar (1841-1909). Eugene Cook (1830-1915) provided commentary to the spectators. The chess board was 32 feet on each side. About 50 costumes were used in the exhibition by the well-known costumer, Buckhoister. The pawns on either side were represented by beautiful young ladies, dressed in red and blue. The knights appeared in complete armor. The bishops were attired in religious robes. The kings and queens wore rich royal robes of satin and wearing crowns. The exhibition game was one of Paul Morphy’s chess games, an Evans Gambit.
In May 1879, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the New York Chess Club, winning a silver champagne cup.
On August 30, 1879, the Manhattan Chess Club appointed a Committee of Conference and Correspondence chartered to organize an international chess congress (the 5th American Chess Congress). The Chairman of the Committee was H.C. Allen.
On October 2, 1879, a new Constitution and by-laws of the Manhattan Chess Club was adopted and began organizing a national chess congress. The organizing committee consisted of William T. Minor, Frederick Perrin (1815-1889), Thomas Frere, Charles Gilberg (1835-1898), Chaplain J.D. Beugless, Frank Melville Teed (1856-1929), and Henry Allen. The elected Manhattan CC officers were: President, Frederick Perrin; Vice-President, H.D. Allen; Secretary, F.M. Teed; Treasurer, Charles Gilberg. (source: The Boston Weekly Globe, Oct 21, 1879) The Manhattan CC Constitution was later amended on July 6, 1882, revised in 1889, amended in 1891, 1893, and 1894.
In December 1879, George Mackenzie gave a 19-board simultaneous exhibition at the Manhattan Chess Club, winning 15 and drawing 4. In January at the Manhattan CC, he played 21 games, winning 16, losing 3, and drawing 2 games.
In 1880, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, L.H. Hellwitz; vice-president, J.D. Beugless; recording secretary: William M. De Visser (1855-1923); corresponding secretary, F.M. Teed; treasurer, A. Moehle.
In January, 1880, the 5th American Chess Congress, organized by the Manhattan Chess Club, was held at the Union Square Billiard Rooms in New York. First prize was $500 ($13,000 in today’s currency) and a gold medal, presented by Leo Cohen. George Mackenzie won the event after a play-off against James Grundy (1855-1919).
In 1881, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, L.H. Hellwitz; vice-president, I.D. Beugless; corresponding secretary, H. Thompson; recording secretary, W.M. De Visser; treasurer, A. Moehle.
In 1882, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, L.H. Hellwitz; vice-president, L.D. Cohn; recording secretary, W.M. De Visser; corresponding secretay, Louis Cohn; treasurer, F.M. Teed. There were 100 members and the treasury balance was $128.54.
In 1882, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to 110 East Fourteenth Street. David Baird was the club champion. (source: The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 3, 1882)
In 1883, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, L.H. Hellwitz; vice-president George T. Green; recording secretary, L. Cohn; correspondence secretary, A. Crawford; treasurer, F.M. Teed.
In January 1883, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Danites Chess Club of Brooklyn.
In February 1883, the Manhattan Chess Club celebrated its 6th anniversary with a dinner at its club. Included at the dinner was William Stienitz (1836-1900), Captain George Mackenzie, club president Hellwitz, General Daniel Sickles (1819-1914), Thomas Frere, Frederick Perrin, and Eugene Delmar. (source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Feb 8, 1883.
In Februay 1883, William Steinitz played 4 games blindfolded against four top players of the Manhattan Chess Club. He played against D.G. Baird, J.W. Baird, William De Visser, and Eugene Delmar. Steinitz lost to Delmar but won against the other opponents as he sipped his cologne, puffed his cigar, and chatted with friends. After the game, Steinitz said he was ignorant of the position of a knight in his game with Delmar because a move had not been called properly. After this, the chessmen were replaced and the knight’s move was called. Steinitz then won his game with Delmar. (source: National Republican of Washington DC, Feb 19, 1883 and The Critic, Feb 19, 1883)
On March 6, 1883, William Steinitz was made an honorary member of the Manhattan CC.
In March 1883, the Manhattan Chess Club directors met and decided to sponsor and send Captain George Mackenzie to the London International Chess Congress of 1883. He tied for 5th-7th place.
On May 7, 1883, the Manhattan Chess Club of the City of New York was incorporated in the State of New York. Its board of directors included Leopold Hellwitz, George T. Green, Roscoe H. Channing, Louis Cohn, F.M. Teed, William M. De Visser, J.D. Peters, Charles M. Saulson, Isaac Rice (1850-1915), and Charles M. Harris (1821-1896). An initiation fee was $10, and the annual dues were $16.
In May 1883, the Manhattan CC moved to 104 East 14th St.
In November 1883, Johannes Zukertort (1842-1888) was made an honorary member of the Manhattan Chess Club. In November 1883, he played 24 opponents simultaneously at the Manhattan CC, winning 19, drawing 2, and losing 3 games.
In November 1883, the first club match between the Manhattan Chess Club and the Philadelphia Chess Club was played. The first match of 15 boards were played in New York was drawn with 5 wins each and 5 draws. The Manhattan CC won the return match in Philadelphia in December, scoring 10 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws.
In November 1883, Johannes Zukertort played 12 games blindfolded at the Manhattan Chess Club. He won 4, lost 6, and drew 2.
In 1883, the honorary members of the Manhattan Chess Club included world chess champion William Steinitz, Mikhail Chigorin, Amos Burn, Isidor Gunsberg, Thomas Frere, and Emanuel Lasker.
In 1883-1884, George Mackenzie won the 6th Manhattan Chess Club Handicap tournament.
In January 1884, George T. Green was elected President of the Manhattan CC. He served as President until 1887. Other officers elected were: vice-president, J.S. Curry; corresponding secretary, William M. De Visser; recording secretary, Charles Fisher; treasurer, F.M. Teed. There were over 20 members.
In 1884, Henry Villard (1835-1900), president of the Northern Pacific railroad, and a well-known millionaire, became a member of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In March 1884, the 8th annual banquet of the Manhattan CC was held.
In June 1884, the first official Manhattan Chess Club championship was held, won by John S. Ryan (1849-1914). He won a gold medal.
In July 1884, Paul Morphy died and the Manhattan Chess Club passed several resolutions of condolences, and his portrait, painted in oil by Charles L. Elliott (1812-1868), was draped with black.
On November 27, 1884 (Thanksgiving Day), William Steinitz played 22 players at the Manhattan Chess club, winning 21 and drawing one game. There were several hundred visitors to the exhibition.
In 1885, the Manhattan Chess Club had about 220 members, no debts, and $500 in the treasury. The club was open every day from 1 pm to midnight.
In January 1885, the Manhattan Chess Club held its annual meeting at 104 East Fourteenth Street. The new officers were: George T. Green, president; J.S. Curry, vice-president; Dr. Gustave Simonson, recording secretary; W.M. de Visser, correspondence secretary; and Frank M. Teed, treasurer. (source: The Philadelphia Times, Feb 1, 1885)
In March 1885, the Manhattan Chess Club shared its premises with the New York Chess Cub until then Manhattan CC moved in May 1885.
In May 1885, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to No. 22 East Seventeenth Street, occupying the lower floor of the building.
In September 1885, Eugene Delmar won the championship of the Manhattan CC.
In November 1885, the Manhattan Chess Club raised $1,000 as contribution to the stakes of the Steinitz-Zukertort match, stipulating only that a portion of the games played in New York would be at the Manhattan CC.
In January 1886, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, George Green; vice-president, J.S. Curry; recording secretary, Gustave Simonson (1864-1935); corresponding secretary, W,M. De Visser.
From January 11 to January 20, 1886, the Manhattan Chess Club hosted the 1886 world championship between William Steinitz and Johannes Zukertort. The beginning of the match was played at the Dancing Academy in Cartier’s Hall at No. 80 5th Avenue and Ninth Street in Manhattan. Admission fee was $1 a day. In New York, Zukertort won 4 games and Steinitz won one game, before moving on to St. Louis. Steinitz won the match (10 wins, 5 losses, 5 draws) and $4,000 (over $100,000 in today’s currency).
In June 1886, Major James Hanham (1840-1923) won the Manhattan CC championship tournament, followed by John S. Ryan. (source: “The Manhattan Chess Club – the first 21 years,” American Chess Magazine, vol 1, Feb 1898, by W.F. Morse)
In January 1887, Samuel Lipschutz was elected to the Board of Directors of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In May 1887, the New York Chess Club defeated the Manhattan Chess Club in a match. It was the first defeat in match play by the Manhattan CC.
In July 1887, the annual meeting of the Manhattan Chess Club resulted in the following election of officers: president: George Green; vice-president, J.S. Curry; recording secretary, J.C. Hume; correspondence secretary, W.M. De Visser; treasurer, F. M. Teed.
In July 1887, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Brooklyn Chess Club in two matches.
In 1887, Samuel Lipschutz (1863-1905) won the Manhattan Chess Club championship.
In January 1888, S.B. Schlesinger was elected president of the Manhattan Chess Club. Other officers included: vice-president, W.M. De Visser; recording secretary, George D. Eaton; corresponding secretary, Dr. L. Cohn; treasurer, L.D. Cohn.
In January 1888, the Manhattan Chess Club joined the New York and Pennsylvania Chess Association.
In 1888, D.G. Baird won the Manhattan CC championship.
In August 1888, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Columbia Chess Club of New York by the score of 21.5 to 8.5.
In January 1889, William E.T. Westerfield was elected president of the Manhattan Chess Club. Other officers included: vice-president, W.M. De Visser; recording secretary, G.D. Eaton; corresponding secretary, L. Cohn; treasurer, L.D. Cohn.
In January 1889, Mikhail Chigorin (1850-1908) was a guest at the Manhattan Chess Club.
In May 1889, the club moved to 22 West 27th Street.
In May 1889, Mikhail Chigorin played 8 games blindfolded at the Manhattan Chess Club, winning 7 and losing 1 game, due to a mismove.
In January 1890, the elected officers of the Manhattan CC included: president, Isaac Rice; vice-president, Colonel George Frederick Betts (1859-1898), recording secretary, G. Simonson; corresponding secretary, G.D. Eaton; treasurer, L.D. Cohn. S. Lipschutz was re-elected as a director.
In 1890, D.G. Baird won the Manhattan CC championship, followed by Maj. Hanham.
In October 1890, William Steinitz played 26 games simultaneously at the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1890-91 Steinitz played Isidor Gunsberg (1854-1930) in a world championship match at the Manhattan Chess Club. The Manhattan CC provided $1,000 to cover the expense of the players. Steinitz won the match with 6 wins, 4 losses, and 9 draws.
In January 1891, the 13th annual meeting of the Manhattan Chess Club was held. Elected officers were: Professor Isaac Rice, President; Colonel G.F. Betts, Vice-President; August Vorrath (1838-1899), Treasurer; E.A. Ford, Recording Secretary; George D. Eaton, Corresponding Secretary; Eugene Delmar, W.T. Jerome, Dr. C.L. Lindley, Dr. Fred Minta, H.H. Schiefiellin, and K. Warner, directors. Isador Gunsberg was elected as an honorary member. (source: The New York Sun, Jan 9, 1891)
In 1891, the Manhattan Chess Club members contributed $283 to a testimonial fund raised for Steinitz to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his becoming (unofficial) world champion.
On April 14, 1891, Captain George H. Mackenzie, honorary member of the Manhattan CC, died. The Manhattan CC had resolutions of sorrow for him.
In June 1891, Major J.M. Hanham and Albert B. Hodges (1861-1944) tied for 1st place in the Manhattan Chess Club championship. Hanham then won the play-off match to become Manhattan CC champion. (source: Pittsburg Dispatch, June 13, 1891, p. 9)
In September 1891, the Manhattan CC organized a chess tournament between its bald-headed members and full-crops-of-hair members. The bald-headed team won, 14 points to 11 points.
In November 1891, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the All New Jersey chess clubs team by the score of 14 to 8.
In 1891, the Manhattan Chess Club won the Staats-Zeitung Cup. They also won it in 1894, 1896, 1898, and 1899, taking permanent possession of the Cup for winning it 3 times in a row.
In January 1892, the Manhattan CC officers were: president, Isaac Rice; vice-president, Dr. Frederick Mintz (1855-1915?); recording secretary, J.H. Evans; corresponding secretary, Herbert Rosenfeld (died 1913); treasurer, A. Vorrath.
In January 1892, the Manhattan CC defeated the All New Jersey team, scoring 9.5 to 6.5.
In March 1892, the Manhattan Chess Club played a telegraphic match with the New Orleans Chess, Checker and Whist Club. The Manhattan CC won 6.5 to 3.5. The games were slow due to mistakes in transmitting the moves.
In April 1892, Mikhail Chigorin played 17 boards simultaneously at the Manhattan CC, winning 12, losing 2, and drawing 3.
In June 1892, S. Lipschutz won the US championship by defeating Jackson Showalter (1859-1935) at the Manhattan Chess Club. Lipschutz won 7, lost 1, and drew 7 games.
In October 1892, Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941) visited the USA by invitation of the Manhattan CC. He played 5 players blindfolded simultaneously at the Manhattan Chess Club, winning all his games.
In October-November 1892, Emanuel Lasker defeated the top 8 players of the Manhattan CC in a series of matches. He defeated Hanham, D. Baird, J. Baird, John Ryan, and Isaacson, all 3-0. He also defeated Simonson, Hodges, and Delmar.
In 1893, the President of the Manhattan Chess Club was A. Foster Higgins. The Vice-President was Dr. Frederick Mintz (after April 22, it was Wesley Bigelow). There were 124 members.
In May 1893, the club moved to 105 East 22nd Street, occupying 5 rooms on the 7th floor of the United Charities Building.
In 1893, A.B. Hodges won the Manhattan Chess Club championship, winning 10 games and losing 2. Major Hanham took 2nd place. (source: NY Evening World, Aug 12, 1893, p. 6)
In October 1893, Emanuel Lasker won an international chess tournament held at the Manhattan Chess Club, with the score of 13-0. 2nd place went to Adolf Albin (1848-1920).
The Manhattan CC officers for 1894 were: president, A. Foster Higgins; vice-president, Wesley Bigelow (1847-1912); treasurer, George Holl (1844-1896). There was no club championship for 1894, however, Showalter and Hanham tied for 1st in the annual handicap tournament.
In January 1894, Harry Nelson Pillsbury (1872-1906) gave an 8-board blindfold simultaneous exhibition at the Manhattan Chess club, winning 6 and drawing 2.
In February 1894, the New York State chess championship was held at the Manhattan Chess Club. The winner was A.B. Hodges.
In 1894 Steinitz and Lasker met at the Manhattan Chess Club to negotiate their proposed world championship chess match. The club hosted the first 8 games of the Lasker-Steinitz world championship match.
In 1895, the club officers were : president, Wesley Bigelow; vice-president, Dr. Elbert W. Dahl; treasurer, George Holl.
In 1895, Emanuel Lasker joined the Manhattan Chess Club.
On March 9, 1895, the first cable match (connected by the Commercial Cable Company) was played between the Manhattan Chess Club and the British Chess Club of London (played at the Victoria Hall of the Criterion Restaurant). The match ended in a draw after 11 hours of play. Only one of the 10 games concluded by the time the London hall was required to close. Emanuel Lasker, charged with adjudicating unfinished games, suggested draws on the 9 remaining boards. This was accepted by both clubs and the match was agreed as drawn. This was the first attempt to play chess across the Atlantic by cable. (source: The New York Times, March 10, 1895, p. 6)
In 1895, the Manhattan CC withdrew from the Metropolitan Chess League.
In May 1895, the Manhattan CC lost to the Franklin CC in a telegraph match, scoring 6.5 to 7.5.
In 1895, D.G. Baird won the Manhattan CC championship, followed by Nicolai Jasnogrodsky (1859-1914).
In October 1895, the match for the championship of the USA was played at the Manhattan CC. Showalter defeated Lipschutz with 7 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws.
In 1896, Wesley Bigelow was President of the Manhattan Chess Club. The other officers were: vice-president, Chauncey H. Hatheway; treasurer: George Holl (later R. Beramji).
In May 1896, the Manhattan CC defeated the Franklin CC in Philadelphia, scoring 7.5 to 6.5.
In 1896, Harry Pillsbury resigned from the Manhattan Chess Club following the Club’s refusal to discipline a member who had taken Pillsbury’s umbrella. (source: Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 3, 1896)
In October 1896, Louis Schmidt (1855-1938) won the Manhattan CC championship. Hanham and Jasnogrodsky tied for 2nd-3rd place.
In January 1897, the Manhattan Chess Club officers were: President, Charles A. Gilberg; Vice President, C.H. Hatheway; Secretary, E.W. Dahl; treasurer, R. Beramji (Beranje).
In May 1897, the Manhattan CC lost to the Franklin CC in a telegraph match. After 13 hours of play, the Franklin Club won 8.5 to 6.5.
In December 1897, the Manhattan CC defeated the Brooklyn CC in a rapid transit tournament, scoring 13 to 12.
In January 1899, William Steinitz resigned as an honorary from the Manhattan Chess Club after a quarrel with Judge Willliam Travers Jerome, one of the members. Steinitz took exception to the statement by Judge Jerome that the Manhattan chess club was not a club for professional players. (source: The New York Times, Jan 15, 1899, p. 10)
The Manhattan CC officers for 1898 were: president, Charles Gilberg; vice-president, Chauncey Hatheway; treasurer, R. Beramji; secretary, Dr. Gustave Simonson. On January 21, 1898, president Charles Gilberg died.
In 1898, the club, located at 105 East 22nd Street of the United Charities Building, moved from the 7th floor to the 9th floor.
In 1899, Aristides Martinez (1836-1922) was the President of the Manhattan CC. He served 8 years as club president.
In February 1900, the Manhattan Chess Club pledged $300 to the second wife (Elizabeth) and two children (a boy of 5 and a girl of 18 months) of William Steinitz, who was confined to the hospital for the insane on Ward’s Island. The Steinitz family was left in destitute condition. (source: The New York Times, Feb 16, 1900, p. 9)
In January, 1901, elections for officers of the Manhattan CC were held. The officers were: President, Aristides Martinez; Samuel Lipschutz, Treasurer.
In May 1901, members of the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Franklin Chess Club of Philadelphia, scoring 10 to 6. The two teams played 5 earlier matches, with 2 wins for Manhattan, 2 wins for Philadelphia, and 1 drawn match.
In January, 1902, elections for officers of the Manhattan CC were held. The officers were: President, Aristides Martinez; Samuel Lipschutz, Treasurer.
In 1903, Julius Finn (1871-1931) won the Manhattan CC Rice Gambit tournament.
In 1903, the elected Manhattan Chess Club officers were: President, Aristides Martinez; Vice President, Sidney Rosenfeld (1855-1931); Treasurer, A. Levine; Corresponding Secretary, J.W. Brainsby; Recording Secretary, C.H. Hatheway. There were 193 active members. (source: The New York Times, Jan 11, 1903, p. 9)
In April 1903, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Cuban Chess Club in Havana in a cable match.
On May 1, 1903, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to the Carnegie Hall Building on 56th Street.
In May 1903, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Franklin Chess Club in Philadelphia for the 3rd year in a row.
In 1904, a match between the Manhattan CC and the Franklin CC was played at the Manhattan CC. The 16-board match was drawn.
In November 1905, the Manhattan CC defeated the Berlin Chess Society in the cable match between the two clubs, with the score of 4-2 (3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss). The trophy was an autograph portrait of President Theodore Roosevelt, which hung on the walls of the Manhattan CC. One of the players for the Berlin team was Berthold Lasker (board 2), older brother of Emanuel Lasker. (source: The New York Times, Nov 13, 1905, p. 7)
In 1905, Jose Capablanca (1888-1942), at the age of 17, visited the Manhattan Chess Club and beat its champion.
In January 1908, Jacques Mieses gave a 30-board simul at the Manhattan Chess Club, winning 15, losing 7, and drawing 8.
In 1908, Otto Roething (1865-1915) won the Manhattan CC rapid knockout tournament, knocking out Jose Capablanca on a coin toss.
In January 1909, the Manhattan CC officers were: Aristides Martinez, President; Robert W. Ferguson, Vice President; Herbert Rosenfeld (died 1913), Recording Secretary; Walter Newbery, Corresponding Secretary; Max J. Jacoby, Treasurer. (source: The New York Times, Jan 8, 1909, p. 8)
In February 1909, Leon Rosen (1869-1942), Manuel Ayala, and Otto Roething all tied for 1st place in the Manhattan Chess Club championship. (source: The New York Times, Feb 4, 1909, p. 7)
In 1909, the Manhattan CC organized a chess match between Frank Marshall (1877-1944) and Jose Capablanca. Capablanca won with 8 wins, 1 loss, and 14 draws.
In August, 1918, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to the Sherman Square Hotel at Broadway and 71st Street.
In 1918, the officers of the Manhattan CC were: Aristides Martinez, President; Herbert R. Limburg, Vice-President; J.F. Rice, Recording Secretary; O.W. Field, Treasurer
In 1918, the Manhattan Chess Club champion was Oscar Chajes (1873-1928). (source: The New York Times, Oct 13, 1918, p. 39)
In October-November 1918, the Manhattan CC sponsored an international chess tournament. It was held at the club’s parlor in the Sherman Square Hotel. Five countries were represented including the United States, Cuba, Canada, France, and Serbia. The event was won by Capablanca.
In 1922, Frank Marshall started the Marshall Chess Club to rival the Manhattan Chess Club.
In April 1923, Herbert R. Limburg was re-elected President of the Manhattan Chess Club. The other officers were: H.S. Holt, Vice President; Dr. A.A. Bryant, Treasurer; Samuel Katz, Secretary. There were 203 members of the club. (source: The New York Times, April 8, 1923, p. 131)
In December 1923, Alexander Alekhine gave his first chess exhibition in the USA at the Manhattan Chess Club. He gave a 33-board exhibition, winning 22, drawing 9, and losing 2. He played any opening suggest by his opponents.
The Manhattan CC club organized the New York international tournaments of 1924 (won by Emanuel Lasker) and 1927 (won by Jose Capablanca).
In 1924, Savielly Tartakower (1887-1956) played 10 games blindfolded simultaneously at the Manhattan Chess Club, winning 6 and losing 4.
In February 1925, Abraham Kupchik won the Manhattan CC championship after defeating Carlos Torre, New York State chess champion. Kupchik succeeded Oscar Chajes as club champion.
In 1927, the Manhattan CC organized the 1927 New York International chess tournament, Dr. Emanuel Lasker decided not to take part in the 1927 tournament, charging that in the 1924 tournament, he was robbed 15 minutes because of the way a clock was manipulated, disturbing him to such an extent that he lost his game to Capablanca, and that his share of the receipts had not been delivered to him.
In 1927, Aron Nimzowitsch gave a 23-board simul at the Manhattan CC, winning 22 and drawing one game.
During the Depression, the Club moved to a basement on Broadway and 73rd Street.
In March 1930, the Manhattan Chess Club defeated the Columbia Chess Club 4.5 to 3.5.
In the 1930s, Harold Meyer Phillips (1874-1967) was President of the Manhattan CC. He donated a Phillips Trophy to the best college team in America.
In 1933, the Manhattan CC moved to the Hotel Alamac.
In 1934, the Manhattan CC won the Metropolitan Chess League.
In 1936, the Manhattan CC moved to the 17th floor of the Hotel Beacon at Broadway and 75th Street.
In 1938, women were finally allowed to join the club.
In 1940, the Manhattan CC moved to the Mecca Temple (later, the New York City Center), 135 West 55th Street.
In 1940, the Manhattan CC was located in Maurice Wertheim’s (1886-1950) penthouse apartment.
In 1941 to 1956 the Club was located at 100 Central Park South. Maurice Wertheim helped move the chess club to better quarters.
On March 7, 1942, Jose Capablanca suffered a stroke at the Manhattan Chess Club while analyzing a chess game. He died the next day at the age of 53.
In 1945, the Manhattan CC was the site of the American team in the USA vs USSR radio match. The USSR won 11 out of 20.
In 1947, the Manhattan CC lost to the Club of La Plata in Argentina in a radio chess match by the score of 3.5 to 6.5. The Manhattan CC team included Reshevsky, Kashdan, Denker, Horowitz, Kevitz, Pinkus, Pavey, Kramer, Shainswit, and Donald Byrne. Only Reshevsky was able to win. .
Maurice Wertheim (1886-1950) was president of the Manhattan Chess Club in the 1940s. He was an American investment banker and philanthropist. He was the father of American historian Barbara Tuchman.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s. Sidney F. Kenton was the club's director of activities. Junior members were not welcomed under Kenton's tenure. He did, however, allow Robert and Donald Byrne join the club.
In 1948, Arthur Bisquier won the Manhattan Chess Club championship at the age of 18, the youngest player up to that time. He won 7 and drew 2 games. Also in 1948, George Kramer, age 18, won the Manhattan CC Masters Tourney.
In 1951, Al Bisno was elected president of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1951, the Manhattan CC hosted the Wertheim Memorial, won by Reshevsky.
In the 1950s Maurice J. Kasper (1900-1972), a wealthy New York textile manufacturer, was the president of the Manhattan Chess Club. He later became an officer of the American Chess Foundation. Morris Steinberg was the vice president of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1952, William Lombardy joined the Manhattan CC.
Gisela Kahn Gresser (1906-2000) was a regular at the Manhattan CC, always taking lessons from Hans Kmoch. She won the U.S. women's championship 9 times and was the first woman to become a U.S. master. She died in 2000 at the age of 94.
In June 1955, Bobby Fischer joined the Manahttan Chess Club. He soon won the 'C' section, then the 'B' section. Maurice Kasper paid for Fischer’s life membership.
In 1956 the Manhattan Club moved to the Hotel Woodrow on 35 West 65th Street.
In April 1956, Bobby Fischer won the Manhattan Chess Club 'A' Reserve championship.
In 1956, Fischer won the Manhattan Chess Club Rapid Transit with the score of 10 out of 10.
In 1962, the Manhattan CC moved to the Henry Hudson Hotel on West 57th St. (at 9th Avenue).
In 1969, the Manhattan Chess Club, with Bobby Fischer playing board 1, defeated the Marshall Chess Club 8 to 4.
In 1971, the Club moved from the Henry Hudson Hotel to East 60th St off Fifth Avenue, next to the Copacabana Night Club.
In 1971, Bobby Fischer won the Manhattan Chess Club 5-minute championship.
In 1973, there were over 400 members of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1974, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to 155 E. 55th St.
In 1976, the Club sponsored the first New York International since 1951. The winners were Norman Weinstein, Anatoly Lein, and Leonid Shamkovich.
In 1978, Moses Mitchell was the president of the Manhattan Chess Club.
In 1978, Joel Benjamin, age 14, won the Manhattan Chess Club championship.
In 1984, the club moved to Carnegie Recital Hall at West 57th Street and 7th, 10th floor.
In 1990, the Manhattan Chess Club formed “The Right Move.” It conducted free chess classes for high school students.
In 1992, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to 353 West 46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenue on "Restaurant Row." Traditionally, the club was supported by the patronage of Wall Street executives. When they passed away, the American Chess Foundation, which owns the building, fell into the hands of non-chessplayers. They ordered the Manhattan Chess Club to move.
In 1992, the Club and the American Chess Foundation purchased a building at 353 W. 46th St.
In 2000, the Manhattan Chess Club moved to the New Yorker Hotel, Suite 1521, 481 8th Avenue. It was open on weekdays from 6 pm to midnight and on weekends from 11am to 11pm.
On February 1, 2002, the Manhattan Chess Club closed. It existed for 124 years, the second-oldest chess club in the United States (next to the Mechanics’ Institute Chess Club in San Francisco). Its last president was Jeff Kossak.
Year WINNER
1879 not known
1880 not known
1881 Frank Melville Teed (1856-1929) (informal)
1882 David Graham Baird (1854-1913) (informal)
1883 Dr. Gustave Simonson (1864-1935) (informal)
1884 John S. Ryan (1849-1914)
1885 Eugene Delmar (1841-1909)
1886 James Hanham (1840-1923)
1887 Samuel (Simon) Lipschuetz (1863-1905)
1888 David Graham Baird
1889 Samuel Lipschuetz
1890 D. G. Baird
1891 James Moore Hanham
1892 James Moore Hanham
1893 Albert Beauregard Hodges (1861-1944)
1894 club championship cancelled
1895 D. G. Baird
1896 Louis Schmidt, Jr. (1855-1938)
1897 not known
1898 D.G. Baird and Gustave H. Koehler
1898-1899 Albert B. Hodges
1899 James Hanham
1900 Samuel Lipschuetz
1900-1901 Frank J. Marshall (1877-1944)
1901 Frank Marshall
1903 J.M. Hanham, Jacob Halper, Harold Phillips (1874-1967)
1904 D.G. Baird
1905 Gustave Koehler
1905-1906 Albert W. Fox (1881-1964)
1907 Paul F. Johner (1887-1938)
1908 Albert Pulvermacher
1909 Manuel Ayala, Otto Roething (1865-1915), Leon Rosen (1869-1942)
1909-1910 Frank J. Marshall
1911 Jacob Rosenthal (1881-1954)
1912 Magnus Smith (1869-1934)
1913 Magnus Smith
1913-1914 Abraham Kupchik (1892-1970)
1915 Abraham Kupchik
1916 Abraham Kupchik
1917 Abraham Kupchik
1918 Oscar Chajes (1873-1928)
1918-1919 Abraham Kupchik
1919-1920 Abraham Kupchik, Oscar Chajes
1920-1921 Dawid Janowski (1868-1927) in play-off over Roy T. Black (1888-1962)
1921-1922 Morris A. Schapiro (1903-1996)
1922-1923 Morris A. Schapiro
1923-1924 Oscar Chajes
1924-1925 Abraham Kupchik
1925-1926 Abraham Kupchik
1926-1927 Geza Maroczy (1870-1951)
1927-1928 Abraham Kupchik
1928-1929 Alexander Kevitz (1902-1981)
1929-1930 Isaac Kashdan (1905-1985)
1931 Isaac Kashdan
1932-1933 A. Kevitz on tiebreak over Robert Willman (1908-1977).
1933-1934 Robert Willman
1934-1935 A. Kevitz after playoff with Isaac Kashdan
1935 Abraham Kupchik on play-off against Isaac Kashdan
1936 Alexander Kevitz on tiebreak over Albert C. Simonson (1914-1965)
1937 Isaac Kashdan after playoff with Albert C. Simonson
1938 Isaac Kashdan
1939 Jack Moskowitz (1912-2004)
1940 Arnold Denker (1914-1978)
1941 Albert S. Pinkus (1903-1984)
1942 Fred Reinfeld (1910-1964) and Sidney N. Bernstein (1911-1992) tie
1943 not known
1944 Arnold Denker after playoff with Willman
1945 Albert Pinkus
1946 Alexander Kevitz
1947 Alexander Kevitz (another source says Arnold Denker)
1948 Arthur B. Bisguier (1929- )
1949 Arthur B. Bisguier
1950 Arnold Denker, George Shainswit (1918-1997).
1950-1951 Arnold Denker
1951-1952 George Kramer (1929- )
1952-1953 Max Pavey (1918-1957)
1954 Arnold Denker
1954-1955 Alexander Kevitz and James Sherwin (1933- )
1955-1956 Max Pavey
1956-1957 Abe Turner (1924-1962)
1957-1958 Arthur B. Bisguier
1958-1959 Arthur B. Bisguier
1959-1960 Pal C. Benko (1928- )
1961 Pal C. Benko
1961-1962 Paul Brandts
1963 Bernard Zuckerman
1964 Bernard Zuckerman
1965 Pal C. Benko
1966 Pal C. Benko
1967 Pal C. Benko
1967-1968 Arthur B. Bisguier
1968-1969 Arthur B. Bisguier
1969 Arthur Bisguier
1969-1970 Arnold Denker
1971 Arthur Feurstein
1972 Walter Shipman
1973 George Kramer
1974 Alexander Kevitz, George Kramer, Walter Shipman
1975 Neil McKelvie
1976 Milorad Boskovic
1977 Alexander Kevitz
1978 Joel Benjamin
1979 Jorge Massana, Neil McKelvie
1980 Jeffrey Kastner
1981 John Fedorowicz
1982 Joel Benjamin, Vitaly Zaltsman
1983 Joel Benjamin
1984 Walter Shipman
1985 Walter Shipman
1986 Jonathan Schroer
1987 Ronald M. Young, Bernard Zuckerman
1988 Mark Ginsburg
1989 Michael Rohde
1990 Mark Ginsburg
1991 Kamran Shirazi and Zaltsman win the 114th annual Manhattan CC Ch.
1992 Joel Benjamin
1993 Jay Bonin
1994 Jay Bonin, Walter Shipman
1995 Walter Shipman
1996 John Fedorowicz, Alexander Wojtkiewiez
1997 Jay Bonin
1998 Joel Benjamin
1999 Joel Benjamin (wins for the 6th time)
2001 Leonid Yudasin
References:
American Chess Bulletin, 1916, p. 184
American Chess Journal, 1878, p. 171
American Chess Magazine, vol 1, p. 499, 1897
Chess Life and Review, vol 32, page 644, 1977
Chess Life, vol 58, p. 54, 2003
Manhattan Chess Club, https://nezhmet.wordpress.com/category/chess-clubs/manhattan-chess-club/
Manhattan CC history http://www.edochess.ca/batgirl/MCC.html
Manhattan CC Incorporation https://archive.org/stream/ldpd_6499191_000/ldpd_6499191_000_djvu.txt
Manhattan CC locations http://www.chessclub.org/news.php?n=558