An American Problemist II

American Chess Magazine, 1897 

EUGENE BEAUHARNAIS COOK
was born May 19, 1830, in New York City. [In Pine Street, where the Equitable Building now stands.—F. M. T.] His father, General William Cook, a Jersey-man by birth, a graduate of West Point, now fills the post of Chief Engineer of the Camden and Amboy R. R. His mother, Mrs. Martha Walker Cook, is a sister of the Hon. Robert J. Walker, and is known to the public by a number of literary efforts, among which we may mention a translation, from the German, of Guido Goerre's "Life of Joan of Arc." [Mrs. Cook also translated Liszt's " Life of Chopin," and edited the Continental Monthly for two years.—F. M. T.] The earlier portion of Eugene's life was spent at Bordentown, N.J., where he was placed under private tutors. Intended by his parents for professional life, no pains were spared to give him a thorough education.
   At the age of sixteen, he entered the freshman class in Princeton College, his parents having removed to Princeton in 1844. From the commencement, he stood but little behind students much older, and he soon ranked first of all in his class. His previous excellent course of study, his natural quickness and tenacity of purpose could hardly have failed to accomplish this. His vacations were devoted not to recreation, but to the solving of difficult mathematical questions furnished by the college records A MS. book, still in his possession, containing these questions and his solutions, testifies to his unwearied patience, and remains in evidence of the earliness of his passion for enigmatical things. He was seconding the efforts of his parents only too well. Hard study and over-application induced tension of the brain, and so much deranged his nervous system that while in the second term of the Junior Class he became completely prostrated, and was compelled to leave college, without hope of ever being able to resume his studies. He was for a long time dangerously ill, and remained for several years an invalid. In 1854 his parents removed to Hoboken, N. J., where he still resides. Within a year or two his health has improved considerably, and he is no longer the close prisoner he once was. It was only after leaving college that Mr. Cook paid any serious attention to chess, although he had been taught the moves by his mother, at the early age of eleven. Now, confined to his room most of the time, his brain surcharged with blood and thereby stimulated to unnatural activity, the chess board furnished that which it was absolutely necessary he should have—employment and amusement. Devoting considerable attention to the game, he was soon able to measure his strength creditably against the strongest players of the town. Mr. Frederic Perrin was at that time professor of French and German at Princeton College. Games were first contested at Knight odds, then at reduced odds, finally upon even terms, with a steady tendency towards equality. The score of even games, played at intervals, stood : Perrin, 18; Cook, 13; drawn, 3. Of the last 15 games played, each won 7, and i was drawn. But Mr. Cook was too nervous and physically weak to become a player of first-class chess. He soon turned his attention to the solution and composition of problems, and here found exhaustless amusement, unaccompanied by the excitement and injurious effects of play. His first published problem appeared in the Albion for November 29 1851 The greater number of his early compositions were given in the Illustrated London News and the Chess Players' Chronicle, Staunton ranking them among his most valued contributions. With the commencement of its second year, he became connected with the Chess Monthly, as amateur supervisor of its Problem Department; and in consequence of his reputation as an analyst and critic, his
services have been frequently sought as judge in problem tournaments. In the latter he uniformly declines to compete, preferring, as a matter of taste, to let his productions make their appearance quietly. [See further remarks below.—F. M. T.]
   His problems are too well known to need much characterization. Among them are some of the most curiously ingenious positions we have. Cook's imagination is not as riotous as Loyd's, but takes judgment into partnership. His conceptions are always carefully elaborated, and have, in consequence, a chastened grace and finish peculiarly their own.  *  *  * 

   This ends Mr. Henry's sketch, with which I have taken some very slight liberties, mainly in the shape of condensation. General Cook died in 1864, leaving his wife and three children, each with a moderate competence ; and, as for years before, Mr. Cook has since been a seeker of health, and a student in various directions. He received the degree of A. M. from Princeton in 1868. To quote from a recent letter of his: "In summer I climbed mountains. I have ascended more than 230 mountains and lofty eminences. I was councillor of exploration of the 'Appalachian Mountain Club' in '83, '84 and '85. * * * 

  In winter, skating seemed to offer the most enticing exercise. The problems of balance were very attractive, and I amused myself by trying the possibilities of single movements and of difficult combinations. My repertoire of movements was acknowledged to be considerably more extensive than that of any other skater. An unusual flexibility of limbs enabled me to accomplish many feats which remained my own." The curious reader, who desires to emulate some of Mr. Cook's pedestrian exploits, or to see what can be done by a man who is neither well nor strong, may refer to ''Appalachia," Vol. IV, p. 54 (December. '84), for "The Record of a Day's Walk." In that "Day" (20 hours), among the Presidential Range. White Mountains, Mr. Cook and Dr. Sargent covered 19 miles of mountain climbing and 23 miles of rough road walking !
   For many years Mr. Cook was always made chairman of the committee appointed to prepare or revise the programmes for the figure skating championship contests ; and his skating library comprises many volumes, books in various languages, magazine and newspaper articles, diagrams, pictures, etc.

   His chess library is one of the three or four largest in this country, embracing some unique specimens and many valuable MSS. He has a large collection of music for violin and piano, the former instrument being an especial favorite with him, and it now affords one of his chief indoor recreations. When Mr. Henry's sketch was written, the total number of his (C.'s) problems was about 200. A recent count shows 655, comprising 154 direct-mates in two moves, 162 in three, 71 in four, 72 in five or more, 38 wins or draws, 17 self-mates and 141 fancy, letter or conditional problems. A large number, perhaps 100, are as yet unpublished ; one of these, in five moves, appears among the positions following. Mr. Cook has been judge in many tournaments, beginning- with that of the First American Chess Congress, in 1857.

   Among other important competitions in which he served may be mentioned the Fifth American Congress, Baltimore News, Hartford Times, Columbia Chess Chronicle, Toronto Globe and Mirror of American Sports. He has not competed in tournaments, as already stated, preferring to have his problems appear quietly; and moreover believing that a composer's reputation should be based on his work taken as a whole, and not on individual efforts, however meritorious. Asked for an opinion on the comparative merits of different problem "schools," he said, in effect, that the greater the variety of good kinds of problems, the better. One is not exalted by lowering another ; the merit accrues from overtopping that other. We are not compelled to decide whether we prefer a rose to a lily, trailing arbutus to pansies. Each may be the best of its kind, and the kinds may be of equal worth. A study of Mr. Cook's problems in "Chess Nuts" shows that his is indeed a catholic taste. He is equally happy in light or heavy, playful or serious problems. Of the two-movers therein, he has indicated No. 136 as his prime favorite. No. 163 is one that has been highly commended, and No. 176 has several times received the sincere tribute of imitation. There are many others, as well as his longer problems, deserving attention ; but space will not allow me to particularize. The appended diagrams give a half-dozen of Mr. Cook's especial favorites, and solvers will find each worthy of careful study. I must be allowed to add
that, as might well be expected, Mr. Cook is a most agreeable companion and conversationalist, and a charming correspondent. He is now, as for some nine years past, the president of the "Hoboken Chess and Checker Club," and long may he continue to honor that society by remaining at its head. -F. M. TEED.   

Problem No. 1.
By EUGENE B. COOK.
Black.