Well, the tourney is over and if you don't think that is a relief, you never tried playing in a tournament while you were holding down a regular job! It was exciting, though. The new woman champion is Miss N. May Karff of Boston, who, you will recall, played for Palestine at Stockholm last summer. Before that, she was unknown to us. She went through the national tournament without losing a game, drawing only with Mrs. Bain. She well deserved the title and possession of the Hazel Allen Challenge Trophy. She is a tall, slender, auburn-haired, almond-eyed woman, who plays an aggressive game with poise and complete self-assurance. Only in the last round, with first place within her grasp, did she show signs of strain.
We tried to get material for a biographical sketch, but every time we approached the subject, following the conclusion of her last game, she said, "Later, later," so we can only report what we previously knew, that she has been playing chess for years, and that most of her life, except for the past two years in Palestine, has been spent in Boston. We understand, however, that she is favorably disposed to accept a challenge from Mrs. Jean Moore Grau, woman champion of the American Chess Federation.
Second prize was won by Mrs. Mary Bain, of Manhattan, who needs no introduction to American or European players; her reputation is well established. Her only loss, to Miss Weart, kept her from tying for first place. Mrs. Adele Rivero, also of Manhattan, twice winner of the Hazel Allen trophy, and, last year, woman champion of the National Chess Federation, for the first time in two years, lost games to women opponents. She finished third.
We are not as surprised at this showing as you probably are, for we knew the severe handicap under which she entered the tournament - nervous and physical exhaustion from weeks of overwork. We thought it showed in her play, especially in the later stages of her games. Miss Edith L. Weart, of Jackson Heights, N. Y., finished one-half point behind Mrs. Rivero, to win fourth prize, thus making amends for her bad showing last year. The entire burden of the tournament rested on the shoulders of Mrs. Frank J. Marshall, who acted as tournament director, and its success is entirely due to her efforts.
Incidentals:- We wanted to get around and listen to the facetious comments of the spectators, but we were usually too engrossed in our own games.... Miss Karff and Mrs. Harrison both seemed to find it hard to arrive on time.
 .... Dake was watching intently the game between Mrs. McCready and Mrs. Rivero. Said Mrs. Marshall, "What do you think of the game?" Answered Dake, "They're both very thin, aren't they?" Kashdan is glad that his wife entered the tournament. He reports that she is now beginning to understand why he worries about his clock. Mrs. Kashdan is a sweet person. When she captured the Queen of one of her opponent's and gave check with the knight at the same time, she actually apologized. .. . Several men were looking at the adjourned position Miss Weart had with Mrs. Rivero (the latter was a pawn down, but there were bishops of opposite colors) when Dr. Lasker came up. One of the men handed him the pocket chess board. "Do you think I can draw the game?"' Miss Weart asked, He pondered for at least a minute, then, nodding toward his companion, said, 'This man is a lawyer, you can believe anything he says," which seems to us the perfect noncommittal reply.... Miss Karff made a very nice speech when she was presented with the Hazel Allen Trophy and the championship silver bowl.
 

U. S.  Women's Championship Tournament