CHESS

   The Danites Club held their first November chess
reception at the residence of Mr. Wierum, in Mon-
roe place, on the 11th inst., when a very pleasant
evening was spent around the chess tables in the
parlor and afterward at the supper table, where the
genial host dispensed the customary hospitalities of
these enjoyable occasions. Beside special guests
there were present President Whitlock, Secretary
Horton, ex-President Metz, and Messrs. Alfred
Thompson, Rudd Meyer, D.B. Thompson, Roebuck,
De Graat, Murray and Chadwick. At the supper
table the worthy president related some anecdotes
of his playing with Paul Morphy in New Orleans
when the latter was a boy. At the business meet-
ing, which followed, the day of the next meeting
was changed to Wednesday, the 24th, on account of
Thanksgiving occurring on the regular meet-
ing. Mr. Francis Wilson was also elected a mem-
ber of the club.
   Mr. Cunningham, the chess editor of the Provi-
dence Journal, was recently presented with a com-
plete set of the New York Ledger, containing Mor-
phy's contributions to its chess columns, for which
year's service he was paid $5,000 by Mr. Bonner.
This will give Mr. Cunningham excellent matter for
his chess column.
   The Fall tourney of the Manhattan Club opened
November 6 and it promises to yield an interesting
series of games.
   The new chess club at Providence was organized
November 8. The club rooms are at the Franklin
Square, 62 Westminster street, where chess players
from the Brooklyn clubs will be welcomed when
visiting Providence.
   The new Sunday Call, in its well edited chess col-
umn last week, in referring to Mr. Steinitz's article
on professionalism in chess in the last International,
says: "We think that Mr. Steinitz made a very de-
cided mistake, first, in touching the subject at all,
and next, in writing in such manner as cannot help
alienating many who desire to be friends if he will
only permit them. We oppose professionalism,
always have opposed it, and shall continue to do so
because we consider it derogatory to the game itself.
and we hold the game higher than any or all prac-
titioners. But we hope always to be able to conduct
our opposition in an honorable and gentlemanly
manner. Hard words break no bones, but they stir
up very ill feelings and accomplish no good, and
we are convinced that Mr. Steinitz's method of argu-
ment will not advance his cause or reputation, and
will be very detrimental to the prosperity of his
magazine. If by a professional is meant one who
earns his living by teaching chess, or writing about
it, or by giving private exhibitions of play, then we
uphold professionalism, but that is not what is com-
monly held to be the definition. As understood in
this country a chess professional is a gambler. We
are certain that Mr. Steinitz does not intend to de-
fend such a view. We believe him to be an honor-
able man afflicted with a severe infirmity of temper,
which he would do well to restrain."
   The entries for the tourney of the Brooklyn Chess
Club closed last Monday, and the tourney games
began last week.