History of the Dayton Chess Club
(1957-1987)

by Bill Wall

The Dayton Chess Club (DCC) in Dayton, Ohio was founded in June, 1957 after Earl Boen put an ad in the Dayton newspaper looking for chess players. The original members were Earl Boen (the founder), Val Boen (Earl's wife), Charles Argabright (Secretary), Vivian Argabright, Bill Bauer (Treasurer), Leonard Fall, Richard Ling, Waldo Barnhiser, Floyd Helm, John Fraim, and Art Spiller.

The Dayton Chess Club first met at Boen's apartment on Illinois Avenue, Dayton. The Club met twice monthly until September, 1957 when they moved the club to Kuntz's Cafeteria on Troy St. The Club met on the second floor of Kuntz's Cafeteria until 1962. The club met at 7:30 pm until 11 pm. Membership was $3 per year.

A DCC Constitution and By-Laws was written in May, 1958 by John Fraim. John was a WAVI newscaster and helped promote the club. Officers were elected for a term of one year by majority approval.

In 1958 the Dayton Chess Club organized a match with Cincinnati. The match was held in Dayton with 22 boards being played. Cincinnati won the match with 10 wins, 4 draws, and 8 losses.

The first Dayton Chess Club Championship began on Nov 25, 1958 and finished on Dec 30, 1958. It was played at Kuntz's Cafeteria on Tuesday evenings. The event was a 6-round Swiss system with time control of 45 moves in 90 minutes. 42 players participated. The 1st DCC Championship was won by 17-year old Jerry Fink, a Senior at Oakwood High School. He won 5 games and drew one game to take first place. Fink had earlier tied for first place in the Ohio Junior Championship. Fink's USCF rating was 1963. Oliver Taylor took 2nd place on tiebreak, followed by Jim Crider. Their scores were 5-1.

By the end of 1958 there were 60 members in the Dayton Chess Club. Earl Boen was President. John Fraim was Vice President. Charles Argabricht was Secretary. Richard Ling was Treasurer. Art Spiller was Member-At-Large.

On January 24-25, 1959 the Dayton Chess Club sponsored the first Gem City Open chess tournament. It was held at the Gibbons Hotel in Dayton (3rd and Ludlow Streets). The tournament was won by International Master Norman T. Whitaker on tiebreaks over Jack O'Keefe of Michigan. Both won 5 games and drew one game. Ross Sprague took 3rd place on tiebreaks over Jerry Fink. Both scored 4 1/2 - 1 1/2. Ross was the 1958 Ohio Chess Champion. 28 players played in the Open section. There were 9 players in the Junior section, won by John Phythyon of Dayton. He won 5 games and drew one game in the Junior section. Jim Martin took 2nd place in the Junior section with a 5-1 score.

In February, 1959, the Dayton Chess Club organized another match with Cincinnati, and won with a score of 7-6.

In May, 1959, Newell W. Banks, a nationally known chess and checkers master, gave a simultaneous exhibition at the NCR Club, sponsored by the Dayton Chess Club. Banks won 9 games, drew 11, and lost none.

From May 19 to June 9, 1959, the DCC held a Class tournament. Richard Ling won the Class A section. Jim Martin won the Class B section. Bill Jacobs won the Class C section.

The first Dayton Chess Club Review was published in June, 1959. The editor was Bill Bauer.

On July 26, 1959 the DCC defeated the Columbus Chess Club in Columbus, Ohio with 10 wins, 2 losses, and no draws.

In August, 1959 Jerry Fink won the Dayton Junior Championship.

The 2nd DCC Championship was won by Howard Fleat in November, 1959. He won 6 games, drew one game. Dave Thompson took 2nd place on tiebreaks over Dave Wolford. The tournament attracted 38 players.

In October, 1959 Cincinnati defeated Dayton with 7 wins, 4 losses, and 3 draws.

In November, 1959, George Koltanowski conducted a 30-board simultaneous exhibition, sponsored by the DCC, at the Dayton YMCA. He won every game with 30 wins.

By the end of 1959, the Dayton Chess Club had over 70 members. Dave Wolford became the DCC President. Dave won the 1959 Ohio Postal Championship.

In Jan, 1960 Dayton lost to Cincinnati in a match held in Dayton. Cincinnati won with 6 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws.

In Feb, 1960, the DCC sponsored the 2nd Gem City Open. George KLellner of Lima, Ohio finished first on tiebreaks over Karl Zangerle and Duane Bellinger.

Jin Schroeder, the 1950 Ohio State Champion, joined the club in 1960 and conducted several simultaneous exhibitions, winning them all. His USCF rating was 2145, the highest in the club.

The 1960 Class Championship was won by Jerry Fink in the top class. Floyd Helm won Class #2. Douglas Parker won Class # 3.

The 3rd DCC Championship was won by Richard Ling in 1960. The Junior Champion was Jim Martin.

New DCC officers were elected in Dec, 1960. Bill Bauer was elected President. Dave Wolford was Vice President. Jim Schoeder was Secretary. John Jones was Treasurer.

In Jan, 1961, the DCC defeated the Lima Chess Club with 11 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. In Feb, Dayton defeated Cincinnati with 10 wins, 8 losses, and 3 draws. In July, DCC defeated a team of Indiana players in Richmon, Indiana with 16 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.

The DCC sponsored the 16th US Junior Championship in Jul-Aug, 1961. The title was won by Robin Ault on tiebreaks over Bernard Zcukerman. The event was held at the Dayton Biltmore Hotel.

The 1961 DCC championship was won by Vincent Zukaitis on tiebreaks over Dave Wolford.

The annual DCC officers' election took place in December, 1961. Dave Wolford was elected President. Don Blossom was V.P. Ted Reinhart was elected Secretary. George Berry was elected Treasurer. Dave Wolford became editor of the DCC Review.

In Jan, 1962, DCC defeated Cincinnati with 11 wins, 3 draws, and 9 losses.

In Feb, 1962, Richard Noel won the Gem City Open with a 5-0 score.

On March 30, 1962, the Dayton Chess Club moved to the Dayton Public Library at 3rd and St Clair St. The Club met on Fridays from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm.

The 1962 DCC Championship was won by Dave Wolford, followed by Richard Ling (2nd), and Vincent Zukaitis (3rd).

In Dec, 1962, Jim Schoeder was elected DCC President. Don Blossom was V.P. James Crider was elected Treasurer. Ted Reinhart was elected Secretary. Tony Mantia was elected Member-at-Large.

In Feb, 1963, the first annual Midwest Open Team Chess Festival (MOTCF) has held in Columbus, Ohio. Only 6 teams entered the event, won by Notre Dame University. The DCC entry placed 4th. The DCC members were Jim Schroeder, Richard Ling, Tony Mantia, and Ed Lawrence.

In July, 1963, the DCC sponsored the Dayton City Championship. The event was won by John Phythyon.

The 1963 DCC Championship was won by Dave Wolford. 2nd place went to Richard Ling.

In Feb, 1964, the DCC team won the 2nd MOTCF event in Columbus, Ohio. The team members were Ed Lawrence, Richard Ling, Tony Mantia, and Dave Wolford.

On May 18, 1964 Bobby Fischer gave a 50 board simultaneous exhibition at the YMCA in Columbus, Ohio. He won 48 games, drew 2 games, and lost none. One of the draws was to DCC member Ed Lense.

The 1964 DCC Championship was won by Richard Ling with a 5-0 score. Don Blossom and Vincent Zukaitis tied for 2nd-3rd.

In Feb, 1965, the DCC team won the 3rd MOTCF event in Columbus. The team members were Vernon Dale Burk, Edgar Lawrence, Tony Mantia, and John Phythyon.

In June, 1965, the Dayton Chess Club became affiliated with the Ohio Chess Association.

The DCC sponsored the 1965 Ohio Chess Congress, held at the University of Dayton. The Championship was won by Richard Noel.

The 1965 DCC Championship was won by Richard Ling on tiebreaks over Ken Champney. Edgar Lawrence was the DCC President and DCC Review editor.

The last DCC REVIEW was published in Feb, 1966. It wasn't until 1971 that it was published again.

The 1966 DCC Championship was won by Richard Ling over Ed Lawrence in a match. There were 90 players in the Club.

In 1967 the DCC REVIEW was not published and membership declined. The 1967 DCC Championship was won by Richard Buchanan.

In Sep, 1968 Bent Larsen conducted a 25-board simultaneous exhibition at the Van Cleve Hotel, and sponsored by the DCC. He won 24 games and drew 1, to Tony Mantia.

The 1968 DCC Championship was won by Dave Wolford. 2nd place went to Tony Mantia. 3rd place went to DCC Treasurer Vincent Zukaitis, who died on Dec 31, 1968, a few weeks after the DCC Championship.

The 1969 DCC Championship was won by Dale Burk, followed by Tony Mantia.

In 1970 a DCC team took 2nd place at the annual MOTCF tournament. The team, named "Pestilence," scored 4-1. The DCC had four teams entered in the event: Pestilence, War, Death, and Famine. These team names, named by Dale Burk from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, started the tradition of exotic team names for MOTCF teams. The "Pestilence" team members were Sal Giannotta, Richard Buchanan, Chuck Unruh, and E. Bramhall.

The 1970 DCC championship (also known as the Vincent Zukaitis Memorial) was won by 17-year old Chuck Unruh, with a 5-0 score. Dale Burk was 2nd. Burk was elected Dayton Chess Club President at the end of the year. Chuck Unruh was Vice President.

In March, the DCC sponsored a simultaneous exhibition by Svetozar Gligoric. Gligoric won 33 games, drew 6, and lost 1.

In July, 1971 the DCC REVIEW was published again. The editor was Richard Buchanan.

The 1971 DCC Championship was won by Dave Wolford, scoring 5-0. DCC membership went from 50 at the beginning of the year to 109 by the end of 1971.

The popularity of chess after Bobby Fischer became world chess champion, defeating Boris Spassky, was evident in the Dayton Chess Club. The DCC Championship, held in September, had a record-breaking turnout of 112 entrants. Richard Ling won the DCC Championship after a playoff match with Bud Lytle. Both had scored a perfect 5-0 from tournament play.

By the end of 1972, the DCC membership was 254 members. Club membership was $4 a year.

The 1973 DCC Championship was won by Bruce Espedal, with a 6-0 score. 2nd went to Richard Buchanan. Tony Mantia was club president.

The 1974 DCC Championship was won by Alan Casden, with a 6-0 score. Membership fell to 144 members after being as high as 258 members in 1973.

In Aug, 1975, the DCC hosted the 1975 Ohio Chess Congress, won by Ross Sprague.

The 1975 DCC Championship was won by Tony Mantia, ahead of Richard Ling and Dave Guehl. Membership fell to 126.

The 1976 DCC Championship was won by Tony Mantia. DCC President was Richard Buchanan. Tony Mantia was V.P. Bill Harmon was Secretary. Bill Behnen was Treasurer. Joe Wehener was the DCC rating statistician.

The 1977 DCC Championship was won by Dale Burk after a playoff game with Bruce Espedal. DCC President was Dale Burk after Buchanan moved to Colorado. In late 1977, Larry Paxton became Secretary.

In Feb, 1978 the first DCC Ladies championship was held. It was won by Barbara Price. Five women participated.

On March 22, 1978 Bill Bauer, one of the founders of the Dayton Chess Club, died.

In March, 1978, the 20th Gem City Open was held at the University of Dayton and won by Tony Mantia, with a 5-0 score. 2nd went to Dale Burk.

The 1978 DCC Championship was won by Dave Guehl. Larry Paxton was elected DCC President. Tony Mantia was V.P. Brian Beard was Secretary. Bill Behnen was Treasurer.

In May, 1979, the DCC sponsored the Buckeye Open, held at the Imperial House North in Dayton. It was won by Milan Vukcevich, with a 5-0 score.

In June, 1979, Grant Perks won the DCC Junior Championship, followed by Brian Beard and Dan Winslow.

The 1979 DCC Championship was won by Dave Guehl, followed by Jim Jordan and Richard Ling.

In Jan, 1980, the DCC held its Gambit Tournament. Charles Meidinger and Jim Jordan tied for 1st-2nd. Bill Wall took 3rd place. 27 players participated.

On Feb 26, 1980, the DCC sponsored a 27-board simultaneous exhibition by Larry Christiansen. He won 22, drew 4, lost 1 (to Richard Ling) The next day he played 10 boards blindfolded. He won 6, drew 1, and lost 3.

In Feb, 1980, the DCC 30/30 Championship was held and won by Richard Ling. Bill Wall and Tony Mantia took 2nd-3rd.

In June, 1980 Bill Wall and Tony Mantia tied for 1st in the DCC Bauer Memorial.

In August, 1980 Bill Wall became the DCC REVIEW editor and the Ohio Chess Association President. He had already served 2 years as North Carolina Chess Association (NCCA) President, and was still NCCA President when elected OCA President. This must be the first time someone was President of 2 state chess associations at the same time.

In October, 1980, George Koltanowski visited Dayton and lectured on chess. The Dayton Chess Club received a Boris 2.5 chess computer from Koltanowski as a gift.

The 1980 DCC Championship was won by Brian Beard in November, followed by Jim Jordan and Joe Wehener. At the end of the year, Dan Driver was elected DCC President. Bill Wall was elected Vice President. Brian Beard was elected Secretary. Bill Behnen was elected Treasurer.

The 1981 DCC Gambit Tournament was won by Jim Jordan, followed by Brian Beard. 3rd-6th went to Dale Burk, Dave Wolford, Bill Wall, and Mark Rydzewski.

In March, 1981 Lois Wall organized a chess dinner for "mates." Over 50 people attended. Bill Behnen won the baby contest as the cutest baby picture.

On March 18, 1981 DCC charter member Floyd Helm died.

In April, 1981 DCC tied a match with the London Correctional Institute in London, Ohio. In May, DCC lost a match by one point to Cincinnati.

The 1981 Wright-Patterson AFB Championship was held in July. DCC member Richard Ling won the event. Bill Wall took 2nd and was top military. The event was open to military and civilians. 26 players participated.

The 1981 DCC Junior Championship was held in June-August and won by Charles Cottrell. 2nd-3rd went to Jeff Whitt and Jerry Gilmore.

In Oct, 1981, Dayton defeated Cincinnati by a score of 18 1/2 - 7 1/2 in Dayton. It was the 16th match between the two cities. Each city has won the match 7 times and 2 draws - a tie!

In Nov, 1981 Dale Burk won the DCC championship on tiebreaks over Richard Ling and Dan Driver.

In Dec, 1981 Bill Wall was elected President of the Dayton Chess Club. Bill Snyder was elected V.P. Steve Fenic was elected Secretary. Bill Behnen was elected Treasurer. Dan Driver became the editor of the DCC REVIEW.

In Jan, 1982, Rick Faber won the DCC Gambit tournament.

In March, 1982 the DCC Quads championship was held. Winners of the 4 quads were Charles Meidinger, Dave Wolford, Bill Wall, and Todd Brosey. The event was directed by Larry Paxston.

In April, 1982, the DCC sponsored the first Dayton Invitational Chess Championship. It was won by Charles Meidinger. W. Potter took 2nd and Tom Britt took 3rd.

In late 1982 Bill Wall published his first chess book, 300 KING'S GAMBIT MINIATURES. He has now published over 25 chess books on chess traps and unusual openings. Much of the material comes from DCC members.

In June, 1982, Steve Fenic won the 1982 DCC Junior Championship.

In August, 1982 Bill Wall returned as DCC REVIEW editor.

In August, 1982, club champion Dale Burk gave a 17-board simultaneous exhibition. He won 8, drew 5, lost 4.

In September, 1982 the Ohio Chess Congress was held in Lima, Ohio. Calvin Blocker won the state championship with a 6-0 score. Bill Wall stepped down as OCA President and Roger Blaine was elected President. Betty South was elected Vice President of the OCA. Grant Perks was elected as the Treasurer of the OCA. Bill Wall was elected as the Secretary of the OCA. Bill Behnen had been the Ohio Chess Bulletin (OCB) Editor. Larry Paxton became OCB editor, with Bill Wall, Dan Driver, and Roger Blaine being co-editors.

In Oct, 1982, Dayton lost to Cincinnati by a score of 10 to 13.

In Nov, 1982, Dale Burk won the DCC Championship. 2nd-3rd went to Brian Beard and Richard Ling.

In 1983 Riley Dan Driver was elected DCC President. Dale Burk was V.P. Darrell Peland was Secretary. Charles Meidinger was Treasurer. Bill Wall was DCC REVIEW editor. Club membership was 111 members.

In Jan, 1983 Bill Wall won the 1983 Wright-Patterson AFB Chess Championship with a 5-0 score. 2nd place went to Charles Meidinger.

In Feb, 1983, Brian Beard won the DCC Gambit tournament.

In June, 1983, the Dayton Chess Club tied a match with the Roosevelt Chess Club in Dayton.

In July, 1983, Jerry Gilmore won the DCC Junior championship, followed by Paul Britt and Dave Hoog.

In Sep, 1983, Tom Britt won the 1983 Dayton Invitational. Tien Chou took 2nd. Brian Beard took 3rd.

In Dec, 1983, Cincinnati defeated Dayton 13.5 to 8.5.

Jim Jordan won the DCC championship. 2nd-4th went to Tom Britt, Dan Winslow, and Tony Mantia.

In 1984 Brian Beard became DCC President. Rick Faber was V.P. Paul Britt was Secretary. Jim Jordan was Treasurer. Bill Wall was DCC REVIEW editor. Club membership was down to only 77 members.

In Jan-Feb, 1984, Tony Mantia won the Gambit tournament. Ed Friel took 2nd. 3rd-4th went to Dale Burk and Dan Winslow. Bill Wall directed the event.

In May, 1984, Jerry Gilmore became DCC REVIEW editor.

Greg Vitko won the DCC Championship in Dec, 1984.

In 1985 Brian Beard was elected DCC President. Greg Vitko was V.P. Tony Mantia was Secretary. Ed Friel was Treasurer. Bill Snyder became DCC REVIEW editor.

In Sep, 1985 Dayton defeated Cincinnati with 8 wins, 6 losses, and 2 draws.

In Dec, 1985 Rick Faber won the DCC Speed Handicap tournament.

Andrew Hood, Jim Jordan, and Earl Wikle each score 4 1/2 in the annual DCC Championship in Dec, 1985.

In 1986 DCC President was Brian Beard. V.P. was Bruce Espedal. Secretary was Tony Mantia. Treasurer was Jim Jordan. Co-editors of the DCC Review were Brian Beard and Earl Wikle.

Tony Mantia won the 1986 Ohio Correspondence Championship with 10 wins and 2 draws.

The 1987 DCC Championship, played at the end of 1986, was won by Don Blossom after a playoff match with Dale Burk. Each scored 5-0.

In 1987 the Dayton Chess Club moved to Dayton's Frisch's restaurant near the University of Dayton. DCC President was Brian Beard. V.P. was Dale Burk. Secretary was Tony Mantia. Treasurer was Richard Ling. DCC Review editor was Earl Wikle. Club membership was down to 44.

In April, 1987 Tony Mantia won the Gambit tournament, followed by Earl Wikle, 2nd, and Jim Weitthoff, 3rd.

In July, 1987, Earl Wikle became the the DCC President.

In Dec, 1987 Tien Chou won the DCC Championship.

In Jan, 1988, Tony Mantia became DCC REVIEW editor.

On Jan 7, 1988, DCC member John Weitthoff died.

Dayton Chess Club Champions:

1959 Jerold Fink
1960 Howard Fleat
1961 Richard Ling
1962 Vincent Zukaitis
1963 Dave Wolford
1964 Dave Wolford
1965 Richard Ling
1966 Richard Ling
1967 Richard Ling
1968 Richard Buchanan
1969 Dave Wolford
1970 Dale Burk
1971 Charles Unruh
1972 Dave Wolford
1973 Richard Ling
1974 Bruce Espedal
1975 Alan Casden
1976 Tony Mantia
1977 Tony Mantia
1978 Dale Burk
1979 Joe Wehener
1980 Dave Guehl
1981 Brian Beard
1982 Dale Burk
1983 Dale Burk
1984 Jim Jordan
1985 Greg Vitko
1986 Andrew Hood, Jim Jordan, Earl Wikle
1987 Don Blossom
1988 Tien Chou