American Chess Journal, “B” Letter Tournament,1876

R:
#2-4, in which the pieces form the letter B (2 pr.)
 
Competitors could enter any number of problems. Standard requirements applied, including motto.
 
J:
C. H. Waterbury
 
In estimating the value of a problem the usual rules will be followed, except that more latitude than ordinary will be allowed in the matter of superfluous pieces; should, however, two problems, in other respects of equal excellence, be presented, preference will be given to the one having the least number of useless pieces.
 
C:
1876-11-01
 
A:
1 pr. C. C. Moore (Motto: To the memory of T. M. Brown)
2 pr. H. Boardman (Let 'er B)
 
S:
 
N:
The tourney was occasioned by a donation from an anonymous old-time patron to be used for a B letter tournament. (In American Chess Journal, v. [3], p. 76 (June 1878), a reference is made to Mr. Barker's letter prize which might be relevant)

The judge's report is somewhat difficult to read as he seems to treat the report as part of a joke and emphasizes the letter B whereever possible. The number of participants is not mentioned, but it seems that nine problems passed examination:

[ ... ] Blessed B the B’s-makers, for they might B in better B'sness. The swarm is not so warm as was Btokened. I began to feel more Bnign when told there’d B only nine not Busted. If there should B nein at all I’d B more Bnign than Bfore. But should there B ten, Bten I’d B two. That last B would B the blasted drop that would break over the B-rim of the bucket. A big finish would B some trouble for my B-room, and might bring too much. [... ]
Given that there was a motto requirement, it is somewhat unexpected to find that the report also gives the identities behind the mottos: this would normally be done by the tourney manager.

In the same issue as the report, the prize winners and seven additional B problems are printed (p. 100-101, prbs. 107-115). All expect one have an obvious motto, but it seems likely that they are the problems that passed examination.

The 1st prize winner, C. C. Moore, who also was the secretary and treasurer of the Centennial Problem Tourney, started the Centennial Letter Problem Tourney and donated his prize ($5) to it.

Awards

1 Prize: C. C. Moore

#3

2 Prize: H. Boardman

#2