Biography of Archibald Paull
2007.04.04
Archibald W. Paull, "the Dean of the West Virginia Chess Players" was the first president of the WVCA when it formed in 1941. He served four consecutive terms as its leader until he voluntarily stepped down to allow others a chance to serve. He remained a big benefactor to the fledging WVCA with monetary contributions that kept the Bulletin on the presses during the lean years of the 1940s.
A. W. Paull was born November 23, 1869 at Wheeling, WV. He became president of the Wheeling Stamping Company, which was founded by his father in 1877. The firm employed about 750 persons with its products including oil lanterns and lamp burners, plastic caps for glass containers and collapsable tubes for Pepsodent, Listerine, and similar products (circa 1944).
He was taught chess by his father when he was 15 years old. A. W. was quick to downplay his chess ability. Witness the following quotes: "I have played in tournaments in Pittsburgh, Zanesville and Parkersburg....; in each tournament, the title I received was that of worst player'". "I give knights, queens, rooks and bishops away with the prodigality equal to Republicans contributing to a campaign fund when the tariff is about to be lowered." A. W. finished 7th (out of 12) in the 1940 WV Championship in the only state event that he participated in.
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