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MISS KARFF
VICTOR
IN WOMEN'S TOURNEY
Champion Invincible
Against
Strong Field
In
the Women's Championship Tournament, held in conjunction with the main
event at the Hotel Astor, Miss N. May Karff, reigning Queen of American
Chess, overcame all opposition and clearly demonstrated her outstanding
supremacy among women chess players by finishing with a perfect score of
8-0.
The final standings were as follows:
|
W |
L |
D |
Total |
|
Miss N. May Karff ............... |
8 |
0 |
0 |
8 - 0 |
|
Mrs. A. Belcher ..................... |
6 |
2 |
0 |
6 - 2 |
|
Mrs. N. Roos ......................... |
5 |
1 |
2 |
6 - 2 |
|
Mrs. G. K. Gresser ................ |
5 |
2 |
1 |
5½ - 2½ |
|
Mrs. M. Bain ......................... |
4 |
4 |
0 |
4 - 4 |
|
Mrs. M. Harmath .................. |
2 |
5 |
1 |
2½ - 5½ |
|
Miss E. Wray ........................ |
2 |
5 |
1 |
2½ - 5½ |
|
Miss A. Raettig ..................... |
1 |
7 |
0 |
1 - 7 |
|
Miss C. Fawns ....................... |
0 |
7 |
1 |
½ - 7½ |
Possessed of an ideal
temperament for competitive chess, Miss Karff played with calm
self-confidence. Unlike most women players, the champion does not
become nervous or emotional when playing against members of her own
sex. Adopting aggressive tactics, she disposed of her rivals with
comparative ease.
Miss Karff was again awarded custody of the CHESS
REVIEW TROPHY, emblem of
the U. S. Women's Championship. The cup was first presented to her
when she regained the title in a match with Mrs. Belcher last Fall.
Newcomer Mrs. Nanny Roos, former Woman Chess Champion
of Belgium, made an impressive showing. When she met Miss Karff in
the seventh round, the Belgian player had scored 4½ - ½ but was
quickly defeated by the champion.
Mrs. Adele Belcher, winner of the 1940 tourney, started
badly by losing to Mrs. Roos in the first round. Against Miss
Karff in the fourth round, she again showed her lack of control by
blundering away a good position.
Mrs. Gresser was disappointed in her score. She tried
to hard, allowed her emotions to affect her judgment. Mrs. Mary
Bain, who now lives in Florida and made a special trip to New York
to take part in the tournament, made a poor score for a player of
her strength, due to lack of practice. Mrs. Harmath, Miss Wray, Miss
Raettig and Miss Fawns qualified for the finals from the
preliminaries. They al fought hard but the competition was too tough
for them. Little Miss Fawns distinguished herself by drawing with
Mrs. Roos and played well over her strength in doing so.
In the semi-final round, Miss Raettig had Miss Karff in
serious trouble. At one point she could have mated the champion;
instead she lost her Queen and the game. In her good-natured way,
Miss Raettig explained the oversight by saying that she is not in
the habit of mating players like Miss Karff! |
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The Women's Tourney added color and
interest.
In the foreground above is Mrs. G. K.
Gresser,
leading New York club player. Behind
her is
Mrs. M. Harmath of the Marshall Chess Club.
In the background is Mrs. Mary Bain of
Miami.
The following game,
in which Mrs. Roos upset former
titleholder Mrs. Belcher, was played in the opening
round of the Women's Championship Tourney.
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