On This Day in History: Brilliant U.S. Chess Champion F. J. Marshall Plays 105 Games Simultaneously – On Mar 21, 1916

AncientPages.com - On March 21, 1916, Frank James Marshall (1877-1944) played 105 boards simultaneously during an exhibition held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

It was a world record, and Marshall was the first master to play over 100 games.

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Marshall was the first American to defeat a Soviet player in an international tournament in New York in 1924. He reigned as U.S. Champion for 30 years.

He was best known for his great tactical skill. One aspect of this was the "Marshall swindle," or just plain ''swindle'', which is not a kind of cheating or a contravening of the game's rules. It involves a highly clever move or combination that turns the tables on the opponent.

Yet, counter to expectation, the United States champion from 1909 to 1936 didn't lose all of these. Frank Marshall often played a game in a lazy or relaxed style that ceded his opponent the advantage. He would summon a great tactical flight of fancy when he appeared lost to smash his unaware opponent.

Frank James Marshall (1877-1944) was born of British-Scottish parentage on the west side of Manhattan (8th Avenue and 50th Street) in New York City. His father, Alfred, was in the flour business and moved to Montreal when Frank was eight.

Frank began playing chess at the age of 10 in Montreal, being taught by his father. Frank was on equal terms with his father in chess for six months. By age 11, Frank could beat his father in chess consistently. His father introduced Frank to the Hope Coffee House in Montreal to play stronger competition.

At age 12, Marshall beat the best player of the Hope Coffee house, in whose backroom chess and checkers were being played. In 1890 (age 13), he joined the Montreal Chess Club and was soon one of the leading chess players in Montreal. In 1892, only fourteen Marshall made his real debut in chess. On a visit to a French café with his father, Marshall defeated the best player.

In 1936 after holding the U.S. championship title for 27 years. Frank Marshall of New York City was one of the strongest players in the world. He founded the famous Marshall Chess Club in New York City and encouraged many young players.

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