Pillsbury Hit by a Marble

    Murray Marble (February17, 1885 – February 17, 1919, 34 years old) of Worcester, Massachusetts is virtually unknown and when he passed away the American Chess Bulletin stated that they were greatly disturbed and noted that they had not received any news about him in recent years. 

    The writer of the article stated that he had once spent an enjoyable day at a beach resort in company with Marble, he knew very little of Marble’s family or private life beyond that he was obviously of “gentle” family and possessed a quiet and refined both in tastes and demeanor. And, he added that Marble spoke or wrote little concerning himself. 

     Marble was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom predeceased him in death. According to the writer the family occupied a rather palatial if old fashioned family homestead in Worcester. Marble possessed an exquisite chess den at his home. 

    The writer first heard of Marble in 1900, when the chess editor of the Literary Digest chess column, wrote of a two-mover contributed to the periodical by the 15 year old Marble who had just entered the world of problem composing. In 1906, and for a period thereafter Marble was a regular contributor to the American Chess Bulletin. By the early part of 1909, Marble was really making a name for him self. Sample problem

    Only two of his games seem to have survived; one offhand game against an unknown player and the following nice win over Pillsbury in a simultaneous that was held in Worcester.