B. G. Laws (page 3 of 3)
(19) S. Loyd
New York State Chess Association, 22nd February 1892
Mate in 2
The “American Indian Theme” was a fancy term given by Loyd to the idea contained in the two-mover he contributed to the New York State Chess Association Congress 1892. It was regarded as a novel conception at the time, but in fact it was not so, as though in this case Loyd had treated the idea laterally (using rooks), he had worked it out in 1889 with bishops. I take the dates from A. C. White's Sam Loyd and his chess problems.
(20) S. Loyd
New York Sunday Herald, 1889
Mate in 2
It was not until April 1919 when Dr. Schumer wrote an article entitled “Reversed Themes” for the British Chess Magazine, that it was noticed that Loyd's 1892 problem had been materially anticipated by one of mine published in the Morning Post in 1885.
(21) B. G. Laws
Morning Post, 5th January 1885
Mate in 2
It would be needless to say on comparing the two positions; Loyd's is the superior problem. Knowing the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the American it is easy to understand that he himself thought out the scheme and presented it in a form so different to mine, and in ignorance of the latter's existence.
In 1907, on the initiative of Godfrey Heathcote, I was the recipient of a testimonial (accompanied by a substantial cheque subscribed by problem admirers) which was stated to be a tribute to: “Your great and disinterested services to chess”, and “as a proof of the friendly esteem in which you are held by your confrères in the problem world”.
This testimonial is among my cherished possessions, but I confess to finding it difficult in the glare of adulation to recognize my modest self.
Up to this date this was the sole instance of such a recognition. Since then however, a far more extensive mark of esteem has very properly been shown to Alain C. White which took the form of a presentation Album. This was in 1922. The idea was Dr. Schumer's and he with A. Guest, P. H. Williams and myself as a committee carried out the work of collecting the material, corresponding with Caissa's brotherhood throughout the world and completing the arrangements. Mr. White acknowledged this token by issuing a special number of the Good Companion Chess Club magazine, Our Folder.
While H. J. R. Murray the Oriental scholar was getting together material for his great work The History of Chess, he asked if I would look over two small books of problems published in recent times in India (the letter-press was Sanskrit) as he had some misgivings respecting the true origin of the problems which bore the names of natives. In one book of 32 positions I found 31 by European and American problemists - one of them being by myself. As to the other I had a presentiment that it had also appeared in the press but I could not locate it. In the second booklet, containing fewer positions, I detected some barefaced audacious claims to authorship by the Indians. By these discoveries Mr. Murray was spared question concerning the authenticity of his illustrations.
Some time before the War I used to meet the master player Richard Teichmann for the purpose of exchanging views on chess problems. He is the author of some fine positions and one of the readiest solvers it has been my lot to know.
At one of our early meetings he showed me a few choice problems from his stock which he had memorised for display purposes whenever he found an assembly who were likely to be interested. One of his pet show pieces was this five-move self-mate of mine which he set up for me to solve! He was tickled when he learnt I was responsible for the grotesque self-locking of the white pieces.
(22) B. G. Laws
Selfmate in 5
One evening, shortly after returning from the Continent, he put up this six-move self-mate. I do not know the author's name; perhaps he did not mention it (the composer was W. A. Shinkman).
(23) W. A. Shinkman
Selfmate in 6
I sat down to unravel the enigma. Teichmann told those of us who were present that it had recently been submitted at a solving competition abroad, the winner having taken 90 minutes. I managed it in 10 minutes according to his timing. It is a beauty of its kind.
Speaking of solving, though I habitually solve a large number of the problems which come under my notice, it is many years since I was engaged in a tourney. On a few occasions I have entered over-the-board competitions with success. The last was at the congress of the British Chess Federation at Westminster 1922 which proved to be a lesson and I refer to it as it may serve as useful advice to those likely to take part in similar contests. Four problems were given to solve in ninety minutes. In my eagerness to hand in my paper early I rushed off the lot in 18 minutes. I soon afterwards learnt that one of the two-movers had a second solution which I had not looked for. At the close of time J. Keeble was found busy writing out his findings. He explained to me his experience (and he had had considerable) taught him to take the full time allowance, because something might turn up at the eleventh hour. He was right in this instance. He had in the first place found the cook to the unsound two-mover, and scenting it was not the author's intention set to work to get the latter, which he eventually did. He told me that had he discovered the true solution in the first instance, he most likely would have missed the other. Therefore, hasten slowly.
My notes would be incomplete if I omitted to refer to the many enjoyable evenings spent with the late Dr. J. W. Hunt. He was not a composer, but as chess editor in turn of East Central Times, Hackney Mercury, Brighton Society and Hampstead and Highgate Express took a lively interest in problems. He promoted and conducted at his own expense a number of composing and solving competitions which were most successful by reason of the number and quality of entries contributed from all over the world and the excellent band of solvers he enlisted.
At his house I have met, among others whose names have faded from me, J. T. Andrews, Walter Gleave, Ethelbert Holt, James Rayner, J. Stent, T. Taverner and P.H. Williams. Whenever a provincial notable was expected to be in London, the doctor would invite him to one of his little gatherings at which I was invariably present. When he was not entertaining he and I alternately visited our respective homes weekly.
It was a loss to our art when he had to abandon chess after he acquired an extensive medical practice which denied him the relaxation of his choice. He always hoped to come back to the fold, but unfortunately died (I believe at Wolverhampton) a few years ago without realizing his hopes.
Some fifteen years ago Godfrey Heathcote occasionally came to London, when he took the opportunity of seeing me. At one of our meetings he set up a three-mover he had just finished. To his surprise I altered the position a little to agree with the result I had previously arrived at, but without the aid of a black dummy pawn it was unsound. I was anxious to retain a sporty variation which was not in his. He at once decided to efface his work, hoping I should get mine right, as to which he had doubts. He was correct; I never succeeded.
(24) B. G. Laws
Mate in 3
My experience in chess editing commenced about 1880-81 when the late James Pierce (who was about to travel for the benefit of his health) asked me to take over as locum tenens his column in the English Mechanic. I carried this on for over twelve months when he resumed office.
Less than two years after, I succeeded Frank Healey as problem editor of the Chess Players' Chronicle, then published weekly. As in the case of Healey, my name did not appear, and this is the first time the fact is made known.
For some months I conducted the chess in a magazine with the title “Our Corner”. This I handed over to I. Gunsberg. This publication was short-lived.
On the death of Dr. Zukertort in 1888 I undertook the problem department of the Chess Monthly until it ceased ten years afterwards.
James Rayner, the problem editor of the British Chess Magazine, died in June 1898, and from the following month to this date I have been in charge of the problem pages of this monthly – nearly 26 years. For two years last past I have had the valuable co-operation of G. W. Chandler, our able and popular secretary.
For some months before its collapse I was responsible for the chess in The Public School Magazine.
It hardly seems credible that so harmless a pursuit as the chess problem art could ever form the subject of litigation. Unfortunately I have been directly and indirectly concerned in a few matters where proceedings were taken or threatened.
The first was one where I. M. Brown and myself were plaintiffs; but the case was settled to our satisfaction without going to trial.
In another, I was called as a witness on behalf of the successful plaintiff, examined and cross-examined at length. I often wondered how the jury enjoyed the technicalities! As to the shorthand writer, goodness knows what he thought! A ludicrous demand was made by a composer some years ago that if a certain sum was not paid him by the British Chess Magazine forthwith, he would bring an action for libel. Nothing more was heard from the impudent adventurer after he received a letter from me asking for the name and address of his solicitor!
There is I believe an action now pending connected with chess in which I have made an affidavit; it would not however be discreet to give details at this stage.
The episode of my broadcasting an address or “talk” on “The Art of the Chess Problem” is no doubt known to all of you. I confess that I feel some complacency in being the first to radio a chess subject.
The Times wrote of the incident: “There was an item in last Saturday's broadcast programme which marks an entirely new departure in that increasingly popular means of communication. We refer to the intimation that Mr. B. G. Laws would speak on ‘The Art of the Chess Problem’. It is entirely fitting that the President of the British Chess Problem Society should be the first chosen to broadcast his views on the art he knows so well; and it may be added he made his explanations of the positions selected convincingly clear....”
There was one rather amusing incident which originated in the studio. The announcer gave my name as B. C. Laws. In an undertone which I thought was inaudible to the outside world, I said “B. G. Laws, but it doesn't matter”. To my surprise on meeting my friend George Walpole two days after, he told me he had not only “listened in”, but had taken a verbatim note of my turn and had even caught those few sotto voce words intended only for the ears of the announcer.
It will be remembered by most of us that H.W. Butler of Brighton established in 1917 “The Sussex Chess Problem Fraternity”. In the spring of the following year the members held a meeting in London to which several of us were invited. The formation of a larger organization embracing the whole of the British Isles was then mooted. The result was that a committee consisting of H. D'O. Bernard, H. W. Butler, Stanley Smith, P. H. Williams and myself was appointed to carry out the project. After a number of conferences and much work our present Society was founded in August 1918. I had the honour of being elected the first President and am proud that by your grace I have been able to retain the office. The progress of our Society has been steady and only by increasing the membership can we expect to carry out the programmes which our ambitions hope to see materialized.
Every one will agree that Dr. J. J. O'Keefe is the finest all round composer Australia has produced. It was my good fortune in December 1918 to meet him in London. I believe I am the only English problemist who has had that pleasure. In his patriotism he “shut down” his surgery in order to voluntarily render professional service to the Motherland during the War. It was agreeable news to him when he learnt his ship's destination after the Armistice was England as he had never before visited our shores. His sojourn here was however of only a few days' duration and this was to him a little disappointing. It meant a lot to be crowded in the short space of time, and gave him no leisure for correspondence. He wired inviting me to dine with him. We had – or at least I had – a most pleasant evening. Full of bonhomie and anecdote, he proved a delightful companion. It appeared he was anxious to meet me in the flesh and remarked that in coming to London he neither wanted to see Royalty nor Lloyd George but only B.G.L. Dr. O'Keefe was the first overseas member of our Society.
I should not be surprised to know that everyone present here this evening possesses what may be considered my crowning literary and instructive effort connected with the art: Chess problems and how to solve them, which was published last year. I have no remarks to offer concerning this book beyond tendering my appreciative thanks, particularly to W. H. Thompson, who wrote the splendid preface, and to all those who have volunteered favourable expressions of its contents, whether by correspondence or otherwise. I have received nothing but what is commendatory. The press review were such that I could not have inspired better. I only hope that the modest work will prove to be as H.D'O. Bernard wrote of it in the British Chess Magazine: "a standard text-book on the subject for many years".
If in my somewhat long devotion to the art, no exciting events have happened, some of the personal incidents I have related may be a little out of the common.
Sustaining, almost continuously, an interest in matters relative to the chess problem for nearly half a century I have enjoyed the variety afforded. Composing, solving, judging, corresponding, writing and making friends of those with kindred propensities, have been the principal charms and they have been considerable.
It has always afforded me pleasure to initiate and guide as best I could those willing to receive instruction and seek advice. I feel on looking back on my career the hobby of my adoption has been well chosen. One would think that with a sedentary occupation chess would not be very captivating, but I have found probably as much intellectual enjoyment and refreshment as the devotees of any other artistic pursuit. I linger in silent reflection over the happy moments which the chess problem and its associated attractions have engaged and entertained me in my leisure and during periods of indisposition. May new composers arise to invent and create thus assisting in making brighter the intellectuals of this prosy world.
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