LEOPOLD HOFFER
1842 - by G. A. MacDonnell
No foreign chess player has had a more distinguished or more
successful career in this country than Mr. Leopold Hoffer. He was born at
Buda Pesth, and came to London in 1870, at that time knowing neither our
language nor any of our chess potentates. The day of his arrival I was
introduced to him, and about an hour afterwards (or more) he was speaking a
few words of good English, and before the lapse of a week he was telling
anecdotes and cracking jokes in our vernacular. A general mental readiness
and an overflowing fun in conversation distinguish Mr. Hoffer.
On his first arrival in this country he "homed" himself at the
Westminster Chess Club, but not long afterwards removed his headquarters to
the Divan, where for many years he held daily levees and administered
sparkling mates. His rapid and brilliant play, coupled with his pleasing
manners and exuberant humour, soon made him a general favourite in the
principal chess circles. For a time he was one of Mr. Steinitz's
lieutnants, but as that gentleman's yoke galled him, he threw it off, and
formed a principality of his own.
In 1882 Mr. Walsh offered him the editorship of the Field column, just
then vacated by Mr. Steinitz, and so anxious was Mr. Hoffer to avoid giving
offence to his great rival, that he requested Mr. Walsh to allow him time
to consider the offer and consult Mr. Steinitz about it. He then approached
Mr. Steinitz, and suggested to him to arrange the differences with the
Field, and return to the editorship of the column; but the Austrian proved
himself obdurate and irreconcilable. Mr. Hoffer wisely accepted Mr. Walsh's
offer, and was duly installed as chess editor of the Field. From that day
to the present time (e. g. in 1889 - Vistula) he has discharged his duties
with unswering fairness, and conspicious ability.
Mr. Hoffer has also for many years edited the Chess Monthly with great
success, and written capital articles on chess in the Fortnightly and other
magazines. He is a man of tender heart and sympathetic spirit. No deserving
person connected with chess ever seeks in vain for his help or his advice:
and more than one master owes to him the "testimonial" that has enabled him
to baffle disease or triumph over difficulties. Sympathy is, indeed, one of
Mr. Hoffer's chief moral characteristics. A beautiful thing is sympathy.
Nobly did Mohammed exclaim, "Allah might have made us having no compassion
on one another - how had it been then?"
Let me now record one little incident thoroughly illustrative of Mr.
Hoffer's character. When I announced at the Divan the death of Mr. Boden,
Hoffer, with many others, gathered round me and bemoaned our loss. "Oh, I
am very, very sorry," said the Hungarian; and then, streching out his hand
to me (we had not been very good friends for some time), his eyes
tear-dewed and his voice faltering, he exclaimed, "I think we ought to
shake hands over the poor fellow's grave" - and we did so.