FROM THE ARCHIVES OF NEBRASKA HISTORY: THE A.C.R. SWENSON MEMORIAL by NSCA President Bruce Draney

In perusing past chess newsletters and bulletins from our state, I have repeatedly come across references to the A.C.R. Swenson Memorial Chess tournament. I thought it might be interesting to find out more about this event and who Mr. Swenson was. Axel C. R. Swenson was an Omaha attorney and prominent chess player in the Omaha area. He was a Swedish Consul. He had been a prominent member of the Omaha Chess club for more than 20 years. According to Jack Spence, he was known for his,"ever present cigar, and lively gambit play".

On July 17, 1948, Mr. Swenson was killed in an automobile accident. In September of that year, the Omaha club purchased a large trophy and held a tournament in honor of him. The event soon became one of the strongest events held in Nebraska attracting most of the strong Omaha players. There were no cash prizes and originally no entry fee, although later, a small fee was assessed to defray expenses. The prize, which was so highly sought, was the Swenson Trophy which was kept by the winner for one full year until the next event.

The first event in 1948 was won fittingly, by Howard Ohman. Later event winners included such prominent players as Al Ludwig who won four straight from 1950-1953, David Ackerman 1954-1955, 1959, and 1961 and John Tomas who won in 1964, and 1965. The 30th event was held on Thanksgiving weekend of 1977 and was won by Richard Perry.

Jack Spence who had kept the tradition alive for thirty years died the following year and the tournament was discontinued. Although the tournament was usually attended by strong Omaha players, it was open to players from outside of Omaha as well. Rodney Malpert of Lincoln (now of Dallas, Texas), played in the 1977 event and actually tied Perry for 1st with 3.5 out of 4.0, but Perry was awarded the trophy on tiebreaks. I believe that the Swenson Trophy still exists , and the NSCA is going to try and see if we can secure it as a part of our chess history in the next year.