Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/231

 CHAPTER XXXIV

THE INTERPLANETARY CHESS CONGRESS AT an early hour a taU old man in gold pinceaez and boots splashed with paint was going -Ground the town of Vassuki pasting notices on the walls. The placards were written in a large bold hand. A LECTURE

/A

AND

SIMULTANEOUS CHESS DISPLAY ON i6o BOARDS WILL TAKE PLACE ON

JUNE

22ND,

1927

IN THE

CARDBOARD WORKERS’ CLUB-ROOM BY THE

Champion: Ostap Bender All Players Should Bring Their Own Chess-boards

Players 50 copecks Admission for Spectators. . 20 copecks The Display Commences at 6 p.m. prompt Administrator: K. Michaelson The champion chess-player had lost no time. He had hired the club for three roubles and then went to the chess section where he found a man with one eye, reading a novel by Spielhagen. ‘ I am the chess champion, Ostap Bender,’ he said as he perched himself on a comer of the table. ‘ I’m arranging a chess display here.’ The single eye of the Vassuki chess-player opened wide. One moment, comrade,’ he said. ' Sit down, please. I’ll be back in a minute.’ 219