The little known Walter Frere (1874-1943, 69 years old) was a strong New York City amateur. His father had helped organize the First American Chess Congress of 1857 that was won by Paul Morphy.
Ferer had been wanting to meet Helms in a match because when the last club junior championship had been held Frerer had been ill and unable to participate; hence, his desire to meet Helms in a match.
In October of 1893 one was finally arranged. Helms was the junior champion of the Brooklyn C. C. and Frere was the youngest player in the club. Frere had performed well the previous year. having defeated one of the club’s strongest players in a match. He had also finished third in a New York state handicap tournament.
The match started on September 19, 1893, and the winner was to be the first to win five games, draws not counting. With the score tied 4-4 the match was extended and the 6-6 result stood..
The games were sharp and curiously several were quite short! Ferer lost the 2nd game in 18 moves, the 4th in 25 moves and the 7th in 29 moves. Helms lost game 9 in 13 moves, game 10 in 15 moves and game 13 in 22 moves! With the exception of the first game where the opening was a Scotch Game, all the games were either a Ruy Lopez or an Evans Gambit. Here is the exciting 7th game.
