The International Chess Tournament

Started yesterday in Reggio

Among the masters of “checkmate” are well-known Hungarian, Polish, Swiss, German, French and Italian names — The matches will end on the sixth.

The 6th International Chess Tournament, an interesting and important competition which, chiefly thanks to Cavaliere del Lavoro Pietro Slanzi, an enthusiastic devotee of this aristocratic “hobby,” has already become an annual custom for our city, was inaugurated yesterday in the beautiful hall of the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo (a venue which the E.P.T. kindly places at the disposal of the competitors).

Indeed, there was a double inauguration: first, a formal ceremony for the presentation of the competitors, the drawing formalities, and the customary speeches; and then a second one, namely the real beginning of the games themselves.

In an ideal sense, the command Silentium (“but not seclusion”) resounded through the hall when play began. Before that, something had still been allowed for the exchange of mutual greetings and compliments in many languages; but when the double clocks began to mark the time for the moves, the atmosphere at once became muffled, as though under glass. Chess players live above all on silence — and so do their “supporters.”

This game of black and white is truly a very special sport. It is a sport in which ovations, applause, insults, exhortations and the like are unknown, like any other unruly display. Measured and dignified applause, yes, will be for the winners, but only at the end of their laborious days of competition, during which the little wheels of the “calculating machines” that each of them hides in his brain whirl at top speed, yet without the slightest rustle.

Present at the opening ceremony were Dr. Gallo, representing the Prefect; Councillor Bigi, also on behalf of the Mayor; Senator Professor Franzini; Dr. Recordati for the Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Bossi, president of the Rotary Club; Professor Storchi, director of the E.N.A.L.; and Commendator Marmiroli, president of the E.P.T., who, as the most gracious host, warmly greeted the gathering with good wishes. His words of welcome were immediately translated into German by the organizer, interpreter and general factotum Dr. Paoli, extremely valuable both as a polyglot and as the “director” of the whole complex organization.

A light refreshment was then served.

Naturally, the competing masters were present: Barcza and Flesch, Hungarians; Teschner and Fuchs, Germans; Gereben, Swiss; Fricker, French; Bratoszewski, a Pole from Bydgoszcz (the city twinned with ours); and the Italians Castaldi of Florence, Cappello of Milan, Bonfiglioli, also of Milan, Beggi of Pisa, and Trincardi, the only player from Reggio.

The director of play was appointed as the local man Vittorio Villani, who had already carried out the same duties with distinction in previous years. Among the enthusiastic chess lovers of Reggio — who will have to be content with being mere spectators — we also noticed, besides Dr. Paoli, several attending the drawing operations, including the well-known master Severi, the young Pederzoli, and others.

The games will continue every day from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; the closing ceremony and prize-giving will take place on Epiphany.

In the photo: the Italian international master Vincenzo Castaldi (left) and the master-candidate Tullio Trincardi of Reggio.