English Chess Forum

Cardiff Times, 14 September 1895, page 6:

"A CHESS CHAMPION.

Pillsbury has been particularly unfortunate in winning the Chess Championship at the wrong moment. Until now the enthusiasm which we naturally anticipated would be evoked by his win in his native country has been merely local, and this despite the fact, that the United States boasts over 1,000,000 chess players. It is incredible that in a country which above all others glories in giving the Britisher "beans," such little recognition has been accorded this brilliant lad - for he is little more - for his splendid performance. There is not much doubt, however, that this is chiefly due to the undivided attention which Americans are just now giving to the great yacht race for the International Cup, which the present generation of Englishmen have not had the pleasure of seeing brought over to this side."

Pillsbury won the United States Championship in 1897 and 1898. He won the first Hastings Congress in 1895.
The date shown, would appear to be wrong.

Why do you think it is wrong?

John Townsend wrote:Why do you think it is wrong?

Hastings is a Tournament, and not a Championship.

He is referring to the 1895 tournament at Hastings. The date is correct.

I doubt that the Cardiff Times journalist recognised the difference between championships and tournaments.

"It is incredible that in a country which above all others glories in giving the Britisher "beans," such little recognition has been accorded this brilliant lad - for he is little more - for his splendid performance."

implies that he has scored a glorious victory over British opponents. Also, the tournament finished in early September, so it's plausible that it would be reported in mid-September.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_1 ... tournament shows a rather interesting crosstable. I think in this case Wikipedia might be right!

Kevin Thurlow wrote:I doubt that the Cardiff Times journalist recognised the difference between championships and tournaments.

"It is incredible that in a country which above all others glories in giving the Britisher "beans," such little recognition has been accorded this brilliant lad - for he is little more - for his splendid performance."

implies that he has scored a glorious victory over British opponents. Also, the tournament finished in early September, so it's plausible that it would be reported in mid-September.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hastings_1 ... tournament shows a rather interesting crosstable. I think in this case Wikipedia might be right!

The "Cardiff Times" is not Listed in Ken Whyld's "Chess Columns", but you are likely to be correct in assuming that the journalist would not know the difference between a Tournament, and a Championship.
The best 19th. century Welsh Chess Journalist, was the Reverend Walter Evans, who had a regular full length column in the (Cardiff) Weekly Mail. He not only reported on chess in Wales, but also around the world.