“ The history of one Chess Tourney is in many respects very like that of others which have preceded it, but in this instance there is a remarkable difference. At no previous gathering of Chess experts for a trial of strength and endurance have there been prizes of such value offered, nor, as far as we remember, has the contest ever been so long protracted. Nearly two months of hard fighting between the best masters of the game (with one or two exceptions) in the world are enough to try the mettle of the strongest physique, especially in the summer months of a pretty warm climate. ”

“ M. Schiffers began badly, and scored only 61⁄2 in the first half of the tourney, but did rather better in the second. Of M. Tchigorin we have already spoken; he is one of those players who emit every now and then bright flashes of genius, but cannot be depended on for steadiness, and whose final score will always be uncertain. Of all tournament competitors there is none, we think, more reliable than Mr. Burn. He has not much brilliancy, but is sound and plodding, seems always as hard as nails and as cool as a cucumber. ”

“ The senior players, Messrs. Steinitz and Blackburne, appear to have kept up their strength, notwithstanding their age, and though our English champion, Mr. Blackburne, has been handicapped by former ill health, he has attained a very respectable position in the final score. As to Mr. Steinitz, we can only say that for his time of life he has done wonders, and thoroughly vindicated his former title to be still one of the best players in the world. His position in the prize list is one that is most creditable to him ”