Fraulein Sonja Graf, the German Woman Chess Champion, photographed in Dublin yesterday (Irish Independent, 5th February 1935, page 9)
The Evening Herald in its 2nd February 1935 edition reported on Sonja Graf’s imminent arrival and gave a brief preview of her likely engagements.
The German lady chess champion, Fraulein Sonja Graf, who will arrive in Dublin this (Saturday) evening, and will be the guest of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Doyle during her stay in the city, has kindly agreed to give several seances of simultaneous play as well as other demonstrations of chess skill.
In total, four simultaneous exhibitions were staged in Dublin on the following Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There was also time for casual games with members of the Dublin Chess Club during the week, and to finish the week off with a flourish Sonja visited the Regal Dance Rooms.
Monday 4th February Simultaneous Exhibition, Dublin Chess Club
The Evening Herald in its Tuesday 5th February edition reported:
On Monday evening, before a large attendance, Fraulein Sonja Graf demonstrated her ability at the Dublin Chess Club, 20 Leinster Place, when she, single-handed, defeated a strong side of sixteen male members, winning 7 games against 3 lost, and drawing the remaining 6.
Professor Thrift, President, extended on behalf of the club a hearty welcome, and wished her every success in her undertaking.
The Fraulein, in returning thanks, said she was delighted to visit Dublin. The task before her was a difficult one, but she would do her best.
After three hours’ play all games had concluded, which clearly indicates the speedy play of the young German champion.
There was also coverage in the same day’s Irish Independent.
Fraulein Sonja Graf, the German lady champion, delighted a “full house” when she gave a simultaneous display against 16 of the strongest Dublin C.C. players at 20 Lincoln Place last night.
Prof. Thrift, F.T.C.D., president of the club, in an opening speech welcomed the visitor, who suitably replied.
Her speed in playing was very little behind that of Herr Lilienthal when he was here a month ago.
The first win of the night was recorded by G. D. Millett, who won Sonja’s Queen in the opening with a pin by one of his Bishops, and as he was giving nothing away in the afterplay. Sonja resigned, very sportingly, about the 25th move.
The last game to be decided was W. Hassell’s, which was a draw by mutual agreement when the time for adjudication came. Two other players. Rev. L. E. Deens and O. A. Quigley, also succeeded in winning against the champion.
1. P. J. Laracy ½ 2. Rev. L. E. Deens 1 3. O. A. Quigley 1 4. H. N. Bowesman 0 5. J. Barry-Brown 0 6. S. A. French ½ 7. W. Hassell ½ 8. H. A. Hartford 0 9. J. C. Mahony 0 10. H. T. Twomey ½ 11. Major J. P. M. Cotter ½ 12. E. K. Dixon 0 13. J. J. Ryan 0 14. T. Freeney 0 15. G. D. Millett 1 16. R. T. Varian ½
There was not any exhibition play on Tuesday the 5th but the Irish Independent on the following day reported on a more casual evening spent at Dublin CC.
The German lady champion, Fraulein Sonja Graf, was again at the Dublin Chess Club last evening and gave a delightful exhibition of accurate and, at the same time, brilliant play in numerous games, some of which were played as Blitz (immediate move and counter-move) against, amongst, others:— J. J. Doyle, A. P. Watkinson, Major Cotter, J. T. Gerrard. and T. Cox. She lost only one game — a “Blitz” against A. P. Watkinson.
The German Champion was to get the chance for revenge for her only loss because a 3-game match was arranged against A. Panton Watkinson, to be played at the Dublin club. The Independent also had news of an another match to start that very day, and a southward journey to meet the chess players of Cork.
Today, at 10.30 a.m. Sonja will commence a 5-game match against J. J. O’Hanlon, many times Irish champion and runner-up to this year’s champion, Mr. J. Creevey, at the Dublin C.C. She will also be at the club this evening for play.
Fr. Sonja Graf will pay a visit to Cork next week.
We will document the O’Hanlon and Watkinson matches, and the Cork visit in Parts 3 and 4 respectively of our series on Graf.
Thursday 7th February Simultaneous Exhibition, Dublin Chess Club
The Evening Herald reported on the second simultaneous to played at the Dublin Chess Club in its Friday edition. This time it was not the Dublin CC members who were the opposition, as the club had invited players from other clubs, and even one unattached player, to challenge Sonja.
In the contest at the Dublin Club, 20 Lincoln Place, between the German woman champion and a composite team of players selected from the various Dublin clubs. Mrs. Markey (unattached) was last to finish, and was congratulated by Mr. James J. Doyle on her fine achievement.
In returning the score of 12 wins against 2 losses and 2 draws, Fraulein Graf was also heartily congratulated. The team facing her in this contest was as follows:—
1. Major Griffith (Rathmines) ½ 2. J. J. Mortimer (Dublin Univ.) 0 3. J. Casey (Rathmines) 0 4. P. Kelly (North City) 0 5. C. P. Glorney (Rathmines) 0 6, B. Maher (North City) 0 7, C. McFionnlaoich (Colmcille) 0 8, J. J. Hoey (Colmcille) 0 9, E. J. Butler (Dublin Univ.) 0 10. R. J. Cuddy (North City) 0 11. N. Caird (Rathmines) 0 12. G. O'Nolan (Blackrock) 1 13. H. H. Bolton (Rathmines) 1 14. M. O'Nolan (Blackrock) 0 15. Mrs. Markey (unattached) 0 16. W. Reeves (Rathmines) ½
The Herald also carried news of Graf’s next two seances.
To-night, at 7.30, Sackville intend putting forward a team, which will include Mrs. Markey and all their strongest talent, in the hope of holding their own. The clubrooms are at 30 Harcourt Street, and visitors are cordially invited.
To-morrow, at the Town Club, Blackrock, Fraulein Sonja Graf will give her final simultaneous display as far as Dublin is concerned when she will try conclusions against the Blackrock Club.
Friday 8th February Simultaneous Exhibition, Dublin Chess Club
The Sports Mail and Irish Weekly Mail for Saturday 9th February reported on another challenge successfully completed.
Fraulein Sonja Graf’s Victory
The powerful side of 17 players that the Sackville Club put forward at their comfortable quarters, 30 Harcourt Street, was, without doubt, the hardest test put before the young German champion, and at the conclusion of her display, with 8 wins to her credit against 2 losses and the remaining 7 games drawn, Fraulein Graf well merited the compliments paid to her by Mr. H.N. Bowesman, president, in a great performance. The team and their score was as follows:-
1. P. J. Laracy ½ 2. C. J. Barry 1 3. G. Kerlin ½ 4. F. Wilcox ½ 5. J. T. Gerrard ½ 6. Mrs. Markey 0 7. C. Mac Fionnlaoich 0 8. J. S. Plaisted 0 9. Russell Clarke ½ 10. C. Murray 0 11. W. Murray 0 12. M. J. Mullins 0 13. G. R. Haynes 0 14. T. G. Cranston ½ 15. G. H. Jacobs ½ 16. H. N. Bowesman 1 17. Miss Lonergan 0
Saturday 9th February Simultaneous Exhibition, Blackrock Chess Club
The final Dublin simultaneous gave another club a chance to face Sonja.
On Saturday evening at the Town Hall, Blackrock, the German champion completed a busy week’s programme, when single handed she defeated a strong side of 14 players, which was captained by Mr. R. T. Varian , president of the Blackrock Club. Losing only one game to Mr Russell, drawing four, and winning 9 games, the Fraulein well deserved the congratulations she received at the conclusion of play. The following are details:—
1. R. T. Varian 0 2. M. O'Nolan ½ 3. P. Wahlrab ½ 4. T. Cox ½ 5. E. Russell 1 6. J. Kenny 0 7. G. O'Nolan 0 8. B. O'Nolan 0 9. Miss Armstrong ½ 10. J. G. Clare 0 11. S. Douglas 0 12. R. Dockrell 0 13. L. O'Higgins 0 14. F. Condron 0
Already in the course of five days, Sonja Graf had provided four Simultaneous Displays and also played four match games against J.J. O’Hanlon, the most recent of which had been earlier that day.
All the walking required by the simul-giver cannot have tired her feet out that much (or perhaps it was good training) because after that evening’s chess, Sonja went out on the town for a spot of dancing with some friends. Even this was reported upon – indeed she seems to have been the centre of attention there too.
Irish Press, 11/02/1935, page 12
Gerry O’Nolan, one of the winners in the simul in the Dublin Chess Club, was a member of DCC for 50 years. He was a brother of Flann O’Brien, the writer. He was an inveterate smoker. Engrossed in his game, he would leave the cigarette in his mouth, until eventually an inch of ash would fall off onto the board, and often filling the tops of the rooks.
He played very enterprising chess and even aged in his late 60s was rated about 1700. Sadly, 2 days before a tournament to honour his 50 years membership of the club, Gerry had a heart attack coming out of a pub in Donegal town, and died.
The event was quickly renamed the Gerry O’Nolan Memorial, certainly the quickest memorial tournament ever held, given that the deceased wasn’t even buried.
As chess often runs in families, I wonder did Flann O’Brien play chess? Is there any evidence in his books?
Sean’s 2014 post https://www.irlchess.com/2014/09/04/myles-na-gcopaleen deals with the issue of Brian O’Nolan/Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen playing chess.
One might also speculate whether the “B. O’Nolan” who played on board 8 in Graf’s simul at Blackrock Town Hall was the writer.