Springfield Park Board Chess Club of Springfield, Missouri
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                                                  Dean Graham v Frank Elley  April 28, 1973 Classical Dragon
                                                  (My faint recollection of Frank was as a young college age student.  I was a high school sophomore or junior at the time and all I can recall is that Frank did NOT want to play a game. Something about other players being too arrogant or holding petty grudges or something like that, though I was never sure.  Even though at the time I thought what an odd perspective, I've come to appreciate that feeling many times over the years at various tournaments and meeting the wide array of people who take up this game.  Whatever the case, this is a rare gem from two of the founding members of our club and please scroll down to see Frank's analysis and typed scoresheet!)

                                                  Click here to see in game viewer.

                                                  Initially after holding a couple of organizational meetings, the City Club held an open tournament. SPBCC was not yet a United States Chess Federation affiliate so this tournament would be non-rated, but would still incorporate Swiss pairings and all the rules set forth for formal competition. The undefeated winner who emerged many weeks later, was Dean Graham. During the course of play, the Club would change locations three times, moving from Meador Park to the grand hall of the YMCA (on the 2nd floor) and then finally ushered down to the basement coffee house. Graham, being the winner during the course of this traveling road show, garnered quite the reputation for himself.

                                                  Weekly Club meetings were held on Saturday afternoons and this would continue for quite a number of years. Wednesday nights would be added into this mix eventually.  With Fischer-mania in full bloom those first couple of meetings were very well attended, however the attrition rate took an upswing as many found out they were not the next "Bobby Fischer". 


                                                  In this game we see Frank Elley taking on the "King of the Hill". Young Frank provides us with his analysis and annotations in the notes field. Who was to know at this time that Frank would continue in this venue? Mr. Elley would later be employed by the United States Chess Federation as the Editor of "Chess Life and Review"--the flagship chess magazine of US chess. I think we are seeing Frank's first attempts at chess journalism in this game to follow. This being played at the Colonial Hotel during our 1st USCF sponsored tournament, please enjoy.
                                                  Click on the image to enlarge to a readable format.

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