Detroit Free Press, 1875

42 problems were received according to the printed summary, but the lists of received problems only add up to 40. The number of participants is not stated. 23 different mottos were used (assuming that Fairplay and Fair play are the same motto), but at least one participant (W. A. Shinkman) used multiple mottos for his problems. No direct mention of faulty problems is made, but as the judge's report mentions 35 printed problems, the remainder may be assumed to have failed initial examination.

Problems were published under motto prior to judgement. This took place at a rate of one or two problems a week between 1875-09-12 and 1876-05-14, the last printed as 'Tourney Problem No. 34' (which seems to be at odds with the judge's report).

One problem (God Save The King by the pseudonym “Marc”) was identifed by the judge as deserving especial recognition at [the column editor's] hands. The editor noted only that the suggestion of Mr. Moore, that a prize be given to the author of the problem God save the King, has been acted upon. It is assumed that an extra prize was awarded to “Marc”, although it is not excplicitly stated.

H. Boardman, the winner, was noted by the editor to be a youth of eleven years. In the list of 12 problems printed following the report, W. A. Shinkman and G. E. Carpenter are noteworthy participants.

The title of the newspaper is as printed on the title page of the referenced sources. K. Whyld lists it as Weekly Free Press, which probably refers to a weekly edition. (The 'correct' title is taken to be the title used in the actual newspaper at the time, unless there are good reasons not to do so.)


* According to part 10 of F. M. Teed's series American Problem Composers (American Chess Magazine, 2/11 (May, 1899), p. 459 ) the pseudonym Marc was used by Chas. [=Charles] L. Fitch in his early career as composer. (See also Gaige: Chess Personalia, p. 120.)