Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/83

 almost as high as ever it was, but we are sorely lacking in that very element of organization of which we were deprived when H. H. quitted the House."

The rapidity of H. H.'s game was a source of constant amusement, and the introduction of "Henniker Heaton Lightning-games" became popular.

The method was to move so rapidly as to prevent the players having time to think out problems. To add to the excitement the Division Bell often rang in the midst of a contest and the best of players became so utterly disorganized that the results were frequently mirth-provoking.

"It isn't chess at all—it's skittles," a disgusted victim once exclaimed, and the name found favour among its devotees.

Apart from chess in the House, H. H. was very keenly interested in the Imperial Chess Club which was started by Mrs Arthur Rawson. The first two Vice-Presidents were Lord Claud Hamilton and H. H., and the Club was opened by the latter in 1911. As its name suggests, the Club provides a centre where visitors from oversea-dominions may meet in the friendly atmosphere of the great chess republic.

In going through H. H.'s papers a surprising number of telegrams were found written in the vernacular. His election to Canterbury was hailed by his chess-playing friends in the House "Noble move."

When, in 1908, H. H. started his crusade for penny-a-word telegrams throughout the Empire Sir John Randies wrote:

In chess an infinite number of moves and combinations are possible. The bold far-seeing player