Idaho Chess History
Barney Graff’s Chess History
By Barney Elmer Graff
T C Hartwell, Barney Graff and Glen Buckendorf
... between rounds
Photo by Hartwell Family
Elmer "Barney" Graff was born in Kiawa, Colorado October 11, 1913 and moved to Murtaugh, Idaho in 1928. Later, I met Clarence Rambo who got me started in chess during the 1950s. All my early records were destroyed.
Glen Buckendorf and Ted Hartwell were very helpful, assisting me in learning the game, especially as I didn't study the books. For years I helped Dick Vandenburg in the Idaho scholastic program by running the South- Central Regional. My motto has been (of necessity): You only need one eye to play chess as you only move one piece at a time!
