As the current NLC Chess Circle begin to rise through the ranks of Clubland chess, now is a good time to look back upon the rich NLC chess legacy from yesteryear. And chess legacy the NLC has, in spades.
First things first. Let’s remind ourselves of the Circle’s pedigree. The inter-club chess competition – Hamilton Russell – was founded in 1924. The NLC were inaugural champions (1924) and went on to win the trophy in in 1925 and 1926. The NLC Chess Circle continued to vie for the HR Trophy, and out of the 86 seasons of competition the NLC Chess Circle were champions 13 times, the last time in 1968.
So it’s not surprising that the Chess Circle has had one or two half decent players over the years. But who?
Two players stand out above all others. One for his eminence in affairs of state; the other for an outstanding chess achievement.
The Gentlemen of the NLC Chess Circle have much to look up to.
The Chessplaying Statesman: Sir John Simon
Sir John Simon (1873-1954) played for the NLC over many years.
He was a brilliant lawyer who, between 1913 and 1945, held, with the exception of the premiership, all the major political offices in Great Britain: Attorney General (1913-1915), Home Secretary (1915 and 1935-1937), Foreign Secretary (1931-1935), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1937-1940) and Lord Chancellor (1940-1945).
A Liberal (of course), he first served under Asquith, but it was in the 1930s that he was at the height of his renown. In March 1935 he went to Berlin to negotiate with Hitler, and towards the end of that decade he was regarded as Neville Chamberlain’s right-hand man.
Sir Simon knew how to play. In October 1923 he had obtained a draw against Alekhine (who was to become world champion four years later) in a simultaneous display in London. Sadly the moves aren’t recorded.
Displaying the correct priorities, Sir Simon once broke off from his heavy duties as Foreign Secretary to play for the Commons against Cambridge.
And between budgets he managed to sneak out of the Exchequer to play for the NLC.
And having left the burdens of high office behind, he relaxed by playing in a 14-board simultaneous display at the NLC given by the chess prodigy Arturo Pomar (first Spanish GM and seven times Spanish champ) – nearly 60 years his junior at that time.
Here he is as the guest of honour at the opening of the Margate Chess Congress, playing the first ever women’s Chess World Champion, Vera Menchik.
The brilliant recluse: Mister Herbert William Trenchard
Whilst Sir John Simon is surely the most illustrious member of the NLC Chess Circle, he is, perhaps, not the best. That claim may go to Mister H. W. Trenchard.
Born in 1857 in Thorncombe, Mr Herbert William Trenchard was a very private man about whom little is known. But it is known that he lived “a secluded life” at the National Liberal Club for a full 40 years whilst working as managing director of a mineral water manufacturers in Vauxhall. And further, he died at the National Liberal Club in 1934. There are worse places.
He managed to play a bit of chess too…and what chess he played! He was member of the England team that played in the England-USA cable matches of 1898, 1902 and 1903, and played in the famous Kaiser-Jubilaeumsturnier, Vienna 1898 against the likes of Tarrasch and Pillsbury.
Yet his pinnicle achievement came in 1890 when he took the scalp of the then future World Champion Emanual Lasker, in a straight-up competitive game.
The venue and precise date of the game are uncertain, but the moves and score are certainly not.
Surely the height of NLC Chess, never to be repeated…?
To finish, here’s one more attacking gem from Mister Trenchard.
Below is the original game score, from the chess column of the Essex Times, 22 April 1905, with analysis.
Sources
All the above information is taken from the excellent Edward Winter chess website in an article entitled “A Chessplaying Statesman” http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/simon.html. Other source here – http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=19547
That’s top stuff Ben. The Lasker-Henchard game is brilliant. In a way a very Lasker-like performance from Henchard, seemingly teetering on the brink but always finding a resource. 21…Qf6 is a great riposte.
Cheers Nick. We’re lucky to play for a club with such history. I think it’s important it’s not lost.
In the Vienna competition Trenchard managed a magnificent +1 =8 -27 record. I like to think the current team are taking inspiration from him with our HR record over the season…
When I lived just outside Barcelona at the end of the 70’s, I used to play chess with Arturo Pomar’s son. (Sr. Pomar senior was the Spanish chess champion as mentioned above). The son was by no means of the same calibre, but we had some enjoyable games. He invited me to their home once, and the silverware on show seemed to fill most of one of the rooms. The father was away, as so often, and I fear that young Juan came to a bad end without his paternal care…
So what happened to Senor Pomar junior?