Philadelphia, PA, United States (24 February-6 April 1896)
1 1 1 1 1 1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Wins
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Showalter 1 ½ 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 7
Kemeny 0 ½ 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 4
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Format: The winner of the first seven games, draws not counting, is the victor.
Time Control: 30 moves first two hours then 15 move per hour.
Prizes: $1500 stakes ($750 each side) and a $300 purse.
Introduction
"Articles of agreement have been prepared by J. W. Showalter and Emil Kemeny for a match to be played in Philadelphia, commencing Feb. 24, stakes to be $750 a side, the Franklin C.C. and Union League clubs contributing a purse of $300, which will be divided equally between the two players. The main rules are as follows:
The winner of the match shall be that party who shall first be the winner of seven games, it being understood that drawn games do not count. Should both parties win six games then the match to be prolonged until one party wins ten games. Should both parties win nine games the match shall be declared drawn. The match will begin Feb. 24; the play days to be Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hour of play, 2:30 to 6:30 and 8 to 10 P.M. on Monday and Wednesday, and until 12 P.M. on Saturday. Time limit, thirty moves in the first two hours, fifteen moves an hour thereafter. Dr. Persifor Fraser is referee. The games will be played at the Franklin and Union League clubs, Philadelphia."(1)
Showalter began well, avoiding his common pattern of falling behind early, by sacrificing the exchange for a pawn and activity in Game 1. He then began picking off loose pawns and won a fine ending. Game 2 was one of the four draws in the match. In Game 3, Showalter won rather easily, again gathering up weak pawns. Game 4 was Kemeny's first win of the match, it being his turn to pick off loose pawns and score an "easy" win. This portion of the match (Games 3-9) had the two trading wins, with White winning all games. Showalter ripped open Kemeny's king position for a nice attack and win in Game 5 while Kemeny returned the favor with a similar attack in Game 6. Game 10 was the second draw. Game 11 was the breaking point in the match. Kemeny blundered horribly with 42...Rf7?? in a pawn-down R+B ending he probably could have drawn. Showalter now had a three-game lead, and needed only one more win. Kemeny was able to draw Games 12 and 14, and win Game 13 when Showalter blundered in a worse position. But Showalter's lead was too great. He won Game 15, and the match.
Notes
For links to other early US championship matches, see Game Collection: US Championship matches (meta).
Sources
(1) Brooklyn Daily Standard Union, 1896.02.15, p7
Credit
Original collection: Game Collection: Showalter - Kemeny 1896 match by User: crawfb5.
Kibitzing
