Yorkshire Chess History

Following on from the initial Redcar event in 1865, which was not very noteworthy as far as the strength of the tournament was concerned, the Rev Arthur Bolland Skipworth took steps to make Redcar 1866 a much stronger event, with a top class tournament as well as tournaments for weaker players. In the Chess Player’s Magazine, New Series, Volume II, 1866, page 25, Löwenthal warmly greeted plans for the event, although initial signs of future tension between two different national organisations are apparent when he questions the desirability of the event having a “national character”.

The Chess Player’s Magazine item started as follows:

CHESS ASSOCIATION AT REDCAR.

We have much pleasure in giving publicity to the annexed letter. Nothing can be more desirable than that the meeting proposed should be entirely successful. We doubt, however, whether the committee are well-advised in wishing to give their provincial assembly a national character. A general meeting of the British Chess Association will probably be held during next summer, and it is hardly possible to convene the chess public twice in one year without failure. As a provincial gathering the Redcar Association would be almost certain of success, and might become a worthy co-rival of the West Yorkshire Chess Association.

A telling word in the Chess Player’s Magazine’s comment is “probably”. Nobody knew when the next BCA tournament would occur. The BCA wanted to run grand international tournaments for the top players. Catering for amateurs was only secondary to that. The BCA had not run an event since 1862. It had pulled out all the stops that year, but had been unable to sustain that level of activity on an annual basis. Waiting for a BCA tournament was beginning to look like waiting for Halley’s comet to come round again, though without the predictability.

Skipworth envisaged an annual event which drew participants from across the whole country, and catered for the ordinary amateur chess-player rather than just the professional elite and international players. The “annual” and “national” aspects were the primary features. Skipworth was addressing that problem from the point of view of the common chess-player.

The Chess Player’s Magazine then reproduced Skipworth’s letter which was as follows. (The apostrophe in the name of the magazine was printed in the wrong place. Whether this was a typesetting error, or whether Löwenthal was faithfully replicating an error by Skipworth is unclear.)

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “CHESS PLAYERS’ MAGAZINE”

Sir, - It is intended to hold a grand chess meeting at Redcar in August or September of next year. We should be glad, as far as possible, to give it a national character; and perhaps you will kindly enable us, through your columns, to invite British chess clubs generally to aid us; each club favourable to our proposition, and able to help us, electing at once one member, who shall act upon the committee.

The Earl of Zetland has promised to preside, and we have already a long list of noblemen and gentlemen as vice-presidents. May I also ask secretaries of clubs, and all chess players who desire to be informed of our arrangements, to forward their address, without delay, to “the Secretary,” Chess Association, Redcar, Yorkshire.

I am, sir, yours obediently,

A. B. Skipworth,

One of the Committee

Bilsdale, Nov. 28, 1865.

P.S. While we are desirous of being aided by suggestions from the various British chess clubs, and while we promise that every suggestion shall have its due weight and consideration, we feel that it will be necessary for the executive committee, who reside in or near Redcar, to make the final arrangements.

In due course, Chess Player’s Magazine, New Series, Volume II, 1866, on page 154, carried a detailed prospectus for the event:

MEETING OF THE NORTH YORKSHIRE AND DURHAM

CHESS ASSOCIATION.

We have received the programme of this meeting, which is to take place on Monday, August 6^th, under the presidency of the Earl of Zetland. It contains the names of so many highly influential gentlemen as vice-presidents and members of its general committee, that the meeting can scarcely fail to be a great success. The following arrangements are the chief items: -

Prizes will be offered for competition in four classes.

Class 1 – Open to all British amateurs. The first prize of the value of £10 at least.

Class 2 – Open to North Yorkshire and Durham specially; but other amateurs may be admitted (on application) into this class, by consent of the members of the executive committee. The first prize of the value of £10 at least.

Class 3. – Open to amateurs who have not frequently played with strong players.

Class 4 – Open to ladies only.

A.- As Mr. Staunton and Mr. Lowenthal, and many distinguished provincial players have promised, all being well, to be present, and as Herr Anderssen and Herr Steinitz have been invited, an appeal is made to Chess players generally to aid this Association to offer a prize for competition, in consultation games, English versus Foreign Players.

B. – It is intended there shall be an exhibition of blindfold play. Amateurs making special donations for prizes in these games may have an opportunity of playing against the blindfold player.

It is intended that the prizes shall not be given in money; but in books, plate, or anything that a winner may select.

For any further information, application may be made to

J. H. Bennett, M.D.,

G. F. Bodington,

W. Grimshaw, Whitby, or

A. B. Skipworth, B.A., Bilsdale, Northallerton.

Redcar, Yorkshire, April 16^th, 1866.

The first thing to note is that Skipworth, or perhaps “the committee”, has decided to adopt a name for what is, in effect, a newly-formed organisation, but one falling short of the “national” aspiration. This move is reminiscent of the original Yorkshire Chess Association evolving into the Northern and Midland Counties Chess Association. The whole history of Skipworth’s chess organisational activities closely resembled that of the original Yorkshire Chess Association.

The “Durham” connection reflects the involvement of some Durham players as committee members and potential participants. Nevertheless, incorporating “Durham” into the title of the organisation was arguably inappropriate as the 1st meeting of the Northumberland and Durham Chess Association had already been held a fortnight before the date of Skipworth’s programme, on Easter Monday and Tuesday, 2nd and 3rd of April 1866, at the Central Exchange Hotel, Newcastle. This questionable aspect of the organisation’s name would be remedied in a couple of years’ time by the adoption of the name “Yorkshire Chess Association”.

A significant point to note is the explicit adoption of the term “amateur”. Whilst London-based professionals might be invited along, the tournaments were for amateurs only.

Despite not adopting a name which overtly implies an aspiration that the meeting be a “national” one, we find that Class 1 is open to all British amateurs. So it’s a national event!

Class 2 was open, presumably, only to players resident in the North Riding of Yorkshire or in County Durham. This was thus the top “local” section.

Class 3 was similar in nature to the modern “Novices” section of some weekend chess congresses.

One feature of Skipworth’s early chess events, starting with the Caistor chess meetings of 1851 and 1854, is that it seems he liked as many ladies to be present as possible. Here we see his first specific section for ladies being advertised.

In its next issue, the Chess Player’s Magazine, New Series, Volume II, 1866, on page 192, carried the following update:

THE FORTHCOMING MEETING AT REDCAR. – There is every prospect of this meeting, which is to take place in August, being very successful. We hear that already many distinguished amateurs have signified their intention of being present, and that Professor Anderssen and Herr Steinitz have received special invitations. In the problem tournay the competitors should send in their contributions not later than the 2nd of July.

This has the ring of Skipworth’s own wording. “Herr” Anderssen has been promoted to “Professor” Anderssen.

The Chess Player’s Magazine of July 1866 contained a detailed programme. It started with an impressive list of dignitaries and players with the rolls of President, Patron, Vice-Presidents, General Committee Members, and other officials. There followed a description of the four primary competitions, then information on other anticipated sideshows and general “domestics”.

The 28 vice-presidents were largely people whose status, by their association with the event might be seen as conferring respectability on it, and adding prestige, though they were perhaps not people who would actively do anything to promote or run the event, or even attend it. The 23 members of the general committee, who were too numerous to sit together as a committee, tended to be notable players or organisers in their respective localities, and might perhaps take active steps to promote the event within their respective spheres of influence. Eight of the General Committee were designated as members of an Executive Committee, who one imagines would potentially serve as might be needed during the running of the event. The two secretaries and a treasurer completed the 55-strong panoply of officers.

Presumably all the officers had agreed to being represented in the roles attributed to them. Whilst Arthur Bolland Skipworth will have been the driving force behind the enterprise, he was not listed as secretary, rather as a Vice-President on the Executive Committee.

The President was the Earl of Zetland, otherwise known as the Thomas Dundas.

Skipworth liked a high female presence at the events he organised, in stark contrast with the West Yorkshire Chess Association which appears never to have been attended by a lady. For Redcar 1866 he arranged for a Patroness in the form of Lady De L’Isle and Dudley.

There were 28 Vice-Presidents who one imagines were listed to lend dignity to the proceedings (and maybe cough up some cash). They were:

The Lord De L’Isle and Dudley	Philip Sidney, 2nd Baron De L'Isle and Dudley (1828–1898)
Hon. W. E. Duncombe, M.P.	Hon. William Ernest Duncombe, MP for North Yorkshire, resident at the time at Leases Hall, Aiskew, near Bedale, N. Yorkshire, son of William Duncombe, 2^nd Baron Feversham; later became Viscount Helmsley and Earl of Feversham (25/01/1829, Hooton Pagnell, S. Yorks. – 13/01/1915, Duncombe Park, Helmsley)
The Ven. Archdeacon Churton	Ven. Edward Churton (26/01/1800-July 1874, buried at Crayke 09/07/1874) rector of Crayke, Co. Durham, Archdeacon of Cleveland, and Prebendary of York.
F. A. Milbank, Esq., M.P.	Frederick Acclom Milbank, (21/04/1820-28/04/1898) MP for N Riding of Yorks.
Captain Surtees, M.P.	Charles Freville Surtees (13/11/1823-22/12/1906) one of two MPs for South Durham
J. W. Pease, Esq., M.P.	Joseph Whitwell Pease, 1st Baronet (23/06/1828-23/06/1903) the other of two MPs for South Durham
M. Wyvill, Esq., jun., M.P.	Marmaduke Wyvill, jun., MP for Richmond. His family’s seat was at Constable Burton, North Yorkshire. His own country residence was Denton Hall, Denton Park, Ben Rhydding, West Riding of Yorkshire, originally his wife’s family’s residence. (1815 – 25/06/1896)
Rev. Canon Dixon	Perhaps Richard Watson Dixon (05/05/1833-23/01/1900 [though not yet a canon?]
Rev. Canon Gooch
Rev. Chas. Cator	Rev Charles Cator (1786/91-1872; buried 21/12/1872, Stokesley) Rector of Stokesley
Rev. J. F. Newton	Rev. John Farmer Newton, vicar of Kirkby-in-Cleveland, near to, if not adjacent to, Skipworth’s own parish.
Howard Staunton Esq.	Howard Staunton, a grand old man of English chess, but now way past his best as a chess-player.
Rev. Sir Charles Macgregor, Bart.	3^rd Baronet Macgregor of Savile Row, Rector of Swallow, Lincolnshire (3 miles SW of Skipworth’s place of birth at Laceby) (1819–1879)
Dr. Wilson	William John Wilson, physician and surgeon, Hill House, High Street, Clay Cross (03/03/1833 – 19/11/1880)
Rev. W. Wayte,	Rev. William Wayte leading English amateur of his day.
Captain Chaloner, R.N.	Captain Thomas Chaloner R.N. 6 February 1815 20 October 1884 of Guisborough
Major Elwon	Major Thomas Light Elwon of N. Yorks. Rifles (born c. 1828, Bombay or Penang; died 1903; buried 24/08/1903, Saltburn), of Skutterskelfe, Stokesley
Chas. C. Oxley	Charles Christopher Oxley (1810-1881; buried 30/12/1881, Coatham) magistrate of N. Riding of Yorks. resident at Ripon
A. H. T. Newcomen, Esq.	Arthur Henry Turner Newcomen of Kirkleatham Hall, magistrate and landowner (1843/44-1884; baptised 26/05/1844, Kirkleatham)
A. Mongredien, Esq.	Augustus Mongredien of Manchester Chess Club
Herr Lowenthal	Johann Jacob Löwenthal, Hungarian-born immigrant chess-player who established himself in England as a professional player and organiser. (15/07/1810 – 24/07/1876)
Rev. H. S. Hildyard
Rev. A.W. Wetherall	Rev. Augustus White Wetherall, (1816/17-1891)rector of Stonegrave. Oswaldkirk
Geo. Browne, Esq.
W. G. McLaughlin, Esq.
John Harrison Aylmer, Esq.
J. W. Rimington Wilson, Esq.	James Wilson Rimington-Wilson, of Broomhead Hall, on the periphery of the hamlet of Wigtwizzle, not far from the village of Bolsterstone, near Stocksbridge, near Sheffield. (01/071822 - 25/11/1877)
D. Marsden Esq.	David Marsden, bank manager of Huddersfield (1806/07 - 12/08/1868)

The 23 members of the General Committee were:

Rev. B. N. R. Batty, Redcar*	Rev. Benjamin North Rockley Batty
Rev. W. Beckett, Heighington*	Rev. Wilson Beckett
J. H. Bennett, Esq., M.D., Redcar*	Dr. James Heaton Bennett
G. F.Bodington, Esq., Saltburn*	Dr. George Fowler Bodington
A. Ball, Esq., York	Alfred Ball
Thomas Bourn, Esq., M.D., Whitby	Thomas Bourn (not an MD)
Robt. Cadman, Esq., Leeds	Robert Cadman
M. R. Deas, Esq., M.D., Kirkleatham	Dr Matthew Ross Deas
C. Doughty, Esq., Lincoln	Charles Doughty
W. Grimshaw, Esq., Whitby*	Walter Grimshaw
Rev. G. G. Lyon, Coniscliffe	Rev. George Goodenough Lynn
W. Mitcheson, Esq., Newcastle
Rev. W. Milburne, Redcar*
Rev. J. Owen, Cheshire	Rev. John Owen
Rev. C. E. Ranken, Richmond	Rev. Charles Edward Ranken
John Rhodes, Esq., Leeds	John Rhodes
Rev. A. B. Skipworth*	Rev. Arthur Bolland Skipworth
W. Trevor, Esq., Guisborough*	William Charles Trevor
G. H. Taylor, Esq., Durham	George Henry Taylor
Howard Taylor, Esq., Norwich
E. Walker, Esq., Cheltenham
J. Whisker, Esq., Hull	John Wisker
Jno. Watkinson, Esq., Huddersfield	John Watkinson

The Executive Committee consisted of those Vice-Presidents listed above with an asterisk (*) after their names.

The joint honorary secretaries were J. H. Bennett, M.D., and G. F. Bodington, M.D., while the treasurer was Rev. B. N. R. Batty, M.A.

Reports of the Event

The Yorkshire Gazette of 18^th August 1866, page 9 carried the following report, clearly penned by Skipworth, put printing “Temple” for “Semple” throughout:

THE NORTH OF ENGLAND CHESS

MEETING.

The chess meeting held last week in Redcar has been a great success. Though we regretted the absence of several patrons of the association, on account of the busy week in York, yet we rejoiced in an assemblage of chess talent that has never been surpassed and rarely equalled at any provincial meeting in the kingdom. Among the company present we noticed Lord Benholme, the Rev. Canon Dixon and Mrs. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Staunton, London; the Rev. W. Beckett, Heighington; Mr. J. W. Morley, Birkby Rectory; the Rev. D. Salter; the Rev. W. Wayte, Stow; Mr. and Mrs. Thorold, Bath; Miss Thorold, Sheffield; the Rev. J. F. Newton; Dr. Wilson, Clay Cross, Chesterfield; Mr. and Mrs. Browne, Bournemouth; the Rev. A. B. and Mrs. Skipworth, Bilsdale; Mr. De Vere, London; Mr. and Miss Oxley, Redcar; Dr. and Mrs. Bennett, Redcar; the Rev. B. N. R. Batty, Redcar; Mr. Hamel, Nottingham; Mr. Whisker, Hull; the Rev. John and Mrs. Owen, Hooton, Chester; Mr. Coates, Redcar; Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Cadman, and Mr. Myers, Leeds; the Rev. G. B. Morley, Fellow of St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge; Mr. Kidson, Liverpool; Mr. Fieldsend, Bradford; Mr. Grimshaw, Whitby; Mr. Bodington, Saltburn; Mr. Temple [sic, means Semple], Stockton-upon-Tees; Mr. Park, Hartlepool; the Rev. F. R. Drew, Malvern; the Rev. Chas, and Mrs. Bailey, the Rev. J. and Mrs. Seaton, the Rev. J. B. Turner, Mrs. Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Hague Cook, and many ladies and gentlemen whose names we were unable to ascertain.

In the several classes each competitor played a single with each player in his class, and the prizes were decided by the gross score.

Eight gentlemen competed in Class I., Mr. Cecil De Vere, Mr. Thorold, the Rev. W. Wayte, Mr. Wisker, Dr. Wilson, the Rev. A.B. Skipworth, the Rev. D. Salter, and the Rev. John Owen; and the prize was won by Mr. De Vere (the winner of the £50 Challenge Cup given recently by the British Chess Association), who lost only one game, and that by Mr. Thorold. The Rev. J. Owen, Mr. Thorold, and Mr. Wisker were equal for the second place, each having lost two games.

There were twelve competitors in Class II., Mr. J. W. Morley, Mr. Hamel, Mr. Kidson, Mr. Fieldsend, Dr. Bennett, the Rev. W. Beckett, Mr. Grimshaw, Lord Benholme, Mr. Park, Mr. Temple, Mr. Bodington, and the Rev. F. R. Drew: and the prize was won by Mr. Drew, without losing one game. Mr. Hamel and Mr. Kidson stood next in order of merit, each having won eight games; then Lord Benholme and Mr. Temple with seven games.

The Rev. G. B. Morley won Class III., and Miss Thorold in the Ladies’ Class.

The Problem Prize was awarded (by Mr. Staunton, the Rev. W. Wayte, and Mr. De Vere, the committee chosen to make the award,) to Mr. Grimshaw, of Whitby, who is one of the best living composers.

Mr. Skipworth and Dr. Bennett, owing to the necessary frequent interruptions, as the chief managers of this meeting, were compelled early in the week to withdraw from further competition in the class in which they had entered their names.

In consequence of the was on the Continent, Herr Anderssen’s visit to England was delayed nearly a fortnight, and he and Herr Steinitz were unfortunately unable to be at Redcar, on account of their great match , which only terminated with the close of this meeting. Herr Anderssen, contrary to general expectations, was compelled to succumb to his youthful antagonist, who won eight games to his opponent’s six.

In the absence of Herr Steinitz, Mr. Wayte kindly undertook the blindfold play, playing five games simultaneously against Mrs. Seaton, Mr. Semple, Mr. Fieldsend, the Rev. G. B. Morley, and the Rev. W. Beckett. At the end of a five hour’s [sic] sitting, Mr. Wayte had won three of the games, and the remaining two, with Mr. Semple and Mr. Morley, being unfinished, were scored as drawn games.

About thirty ladies and gentlemen made the excursion to Saltburn. Luncheon was served at the Zetland Hotel. The Rev. Canon Dixon (in the absence of the Earl of Zetland, the President) occupied the chair, and was supported on his right by Lord Benholme. Mr. Skipworth was in the vice-chair. After the usual loyal toasts, the Army and the Navy, the Archbishop and the Clergy (when, by the bye, Lord Benholme remarked, in proposing the health of the Archbishop, that, as far as he knew, his grace had only one fault – he was not a member of the Chess Association), Lord Benholme proposed “Success to the Chess Association,” and most ably and feelingly advocated its support among all classes. Mr. Skipworth, in returning thanks, stated the circumstances which led to the formation of the Association, and briefly spoke of the advantages of the institution, especially as a means of introducing chess into the homes of the working people, where it would help greatly to bring into active exercise the thinking powers, and prepare the mind for useful and solemn teaching.

The last, but by no means the least interesting of this most pleasant and successful meeting was a Consultation Game on the Saturday – Mr. Staunton and the Rev. D. Salte[r] against the Rev. John Owen and the Rev. A. B. Skipworth. After playing over six hours, the game was given up, and scored as a drawn game. During the week, Mr. Staunton played with some of the members of the association, giving them the odds of a castle, and he won on every occasion.

We close our report by saying that York was chosen by an almost unanimous vote for the next meeting, in August, 1867, and it was proposed to invite the Earl of Zetland to be again president, and the Lady De L’Isle and Dudley lady patroness.

The Chess Player’s Magazine, New Series, Volume II, 1866, on page 280, carried the following report, essentially the same as that in the York Gazette:

THE NORTH OF ENGLAND CHESS MEETING.

----------

The Chess Meeting held last week in Redcar has been a great success. Though we regret the absence of several patrons of the Association, owing to a busy and attractive week in York, occasioned by the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, yet we rejoice in an assemblage of Chess talent. Among the company present we noticed: Lord Benholme, the Rev. Canon and Mrs. Dixon, Mr. and Mrs. Staunton (London), the Rev. W. Beckett (Heighington), Mr. and Mrs. Browne (Bournemouth), Rev. J. F. Newton, Rev. W. Wayte (Eton), Mr. Morley (Birkby Rectory), Rev. G. B. Morley, Fellow of St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge, Rev. Chas, and Mrs. Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Thorold (Bath ), Miss Thorold (Sheffield), Rev. F. R. Drew (Malvern), Mr. and Miss Oxley (Redcar), Rev. Jno and Mrs. Owen (Hootan [sic], Chester), Dr. Wilson (Clay Cross), Rev. John and Mrs. Seaton, Mr. Fieldsend (Bradford), Mr. S. Tomkins (London), Rev. W. Milburne, Rev. D. Salter, Rev. B. N. R. and Mrs. Batty, Mr. Whisker (Hull), Dr. and Mrs. Bennett (Redcar), Rev. A. B. and Mrs. Skipworth (Bilsdale), Mr. G. F. Bodington, Mr. Hamel (Nottingham), Mr. De Vere (London), Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Cadman, and Mr. Myers (Leeds), Mr. Grimshaw (Whitby), Mr. Kidson (Liverpool), Mr. Coates (Redcar), Mr. Semple (Stockton-upon-Tees), Mr. Park (Hartlepool), Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Cook. There were many ladies and gentlemen whose names we were unable to ascertain.

The continent war delayed Herr Anderssen’s visit to in consequence of which his match with Herr Steinitz commenced so late a period that it was not concluded at the time of the Redcar meeting. Neither, therefore, could be present. In the several classes the combatants played a single with each other, and the prizes were awarded according to the gross score. In Class I. eight gentlemen competed - Messrs. De Vere, Thorold, Wayte, Wisker, Wilson, Skipworth, Salter, and Owen. The prize was carried off by Mr. De Vere, who only lost one game, and that to Mr. Thorold. Messrs. Owen, Wisker and Thorold were equal for the second place, each having lost two games. There were twelve competitors in Class II. - Lord Benholme, Messrs. Morley, Hamel, Kidson, Fieldsend, Bennett, Beckett, Grimshaw, Park, Drew, Semple, and Bodington. The prize was won by Mr. Drew, who didn’t lose a single game. Next in order of merit stood Messrs. Hamel and Kidson, each of whom won eight games; then Lord Benholme and Mr. Semple, winners of seven games. The Rev. G. B. Morley won Class III., and Miss Thorold in the Ladies’ Class. Mr. Skipworth and Dr. Bennett were compelled in the early part of the week to resign all further competition, on account of their frequent interruptions in the discharge of the somewhat arduous duties which devolved to them as the chief promoters and managers of this meeting. The prize for problems was awarded by Messrs. Staunton, Wayte, and De Vere (the committee chosen to make the award) to Mr. Grimshaw, of Whitby. In the absence of Herr Steinitz, the Rev. W. Wayte kindly undertook the blindfold play, conducting five games simultaneously against Mrs. Seaton, Messrs. Semple, Fieldsend, Morley, and the Beckett. At the close of a five hours’ sitting Mr. Wayte had won three of the games, and the remaining two, with Mr. Morley and Mr. Semple were given up as drawn. About thirty ladies and gentlemen made the excursion to Saltburne [sic]. Luncheon was served at the Zetland Hotel. The Rev. Canon Dixon, in the absence of the Lord Zetland, the president, presided, supported on his right by Lord Benholme. Mr. Skipworth occupied the vice-chair. After the usual loyal toasts, “The Army and Navy”, “The Archbishop and the Clergy,” Lord Benholme proposed “Success to the North Yorkshire and Durham Chess Association,” whose inaugural meeting was being held in Redcar. Mr. Skipworth, in returning thanks, stated the circumstances which led to the formation of the Association, and spoke briefly of the advantages of Chess, especially on its introduction into the homes of the working people, where it must tend to bring into active exercise their thinking powers, and so help to prepare their minds for useful and solemn teaching. The last but by no means the least interesting of this successful meeting was a Consultation Game – Mr. Staunton and the Rev. D. Salter against the Revs. J. Owen and the A. B. Skipworth. After playing more than six hours the game was given up as drawn. Mr. Staunton during the week played several games, giving odds of a rook, and won in every instance.

It is proposed to hold the next meeting of the Association in York, in August, 1867; it was resolved to invite the Earl of Zetland to be again the President, and the Lady De L’Isle and Dudley to be again the Lady Patroness.

Complaints

There were, however, those who found fault with the arrangements made. Click here for more about this on a separate page.

Results

Results in the Class I tournament, as recorded in the Middlesbrough Weekly News and Cleveland Advertiser, produce the following crosstable:

		1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Total	Place
1	Cecil Valentine De Vere (London)	X	0	1	1	1	1	1	1	6	1
2	Edmund Thorold (Bath)	1	X	1	0	0	1	1	1	5	2-4
3	John Wisker (Hull)	0	0	X	1	1	1	1	1	5	2-4
4	Rev. John Owen (Hooton)	0	1	0	X	1	1	1	1	5	2-4
5	Dr. William John Wilson (Clay Cross)	0	1	0	0	X	?	?	1	3	5
6	Rev. William Wayte (Eton)	0	0	0	0	?	X	?	1	2	6-7
7	Rev. David Mede Salter (South Fambridge)	0	0	0	0	?	?	X	1	2	6-7
8	Rev. Arthur Bolland Skipworth (Bilsdale)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	X	0	8

The game in which Thorold scored the only win over De Vere was one in which both sides seemingly maximised the complications, with errors on both sides. (Click here to play through the game.)

Results in the Class II tournament:

Name	Total	Place
Rev. Francis Robert Drew (Malvern)	11	1
Sigismund Hamel (Nottingham)	8	2-3
Henry Edwin Kidson (Liverpool)	8	2-3
Lord Benholme (Edinburgh)	7	4-5
Thomas Semple (Stockton-on-Tees)	7	4-5
Rev. Wilson Beckett (Heighington)		?
Dr. James Heaton Bennett (Redcar)		?
Dr. George Fowler Bodington (Middlesbrough)		?
Thomas Fieldsend (Bradford)		?
Walter Grimshaw (Whitby)		?
J. W. Morley (Birkby)		?
William Park (West Hartlepool)		?

Class III was won by the Rev. George Bentley Morley.

The Ladies’ Class was won by Miss Eliza Mary Thorold of Sheffield, Edmund Thorold’s sister. There appear to be eight ladies in the photograph mentioned below.

Visitors and Participants

One of the visitors to the event, who records in his diary watching the tournament play, was the 33-year-old Rev. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll. There exists a group photograph of the players at Redcar 1866, which has in the past been attributed to Dodgson, an amateur photographer, but current theory seems to be that it is not his work. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was first published in this country in 1865.

Name as Reported	Assumed Identity (links are to “People” section, or to notes under 1865 event)
Rev. Chas. & Mrs. Bailey	Rev. Charles Bailey (Marton-in-Cleveland) See 1865 event. Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey
Rev. B. N. R. & Mrs. Batty	Rev. Benjamin North Rockley Batty (Redcar) Mrs. Elizabeth Batty
Rev. W. Beckett	Rev. Wilson Beckett (Heighington)
Lord Benholme	Hercules James Robertson, Lord Benholme (Edinburgh)
Dr. & Mrs. Bennett	Dr. James Heaton Bennett (Redcar) Mrs. Ellen Marie Bennett
Mr. G. F. Bodington	Dr. George Fowler Bodington (Saltburn)
Mr. & Mrs. Browne	Mr. Browne (Bournemouth) Mrs. Browne
Mr. Cadman	Robert Cadman (Leeds)
Mr. Coates	Mr. Coates (Redcar)
Mr. & Mrs. Thos. Hague Cook	Thomas Hague Cook Mrs. Cook
Mr. De Vere	Cecil Valentine De Vere (London)
Rev. Canon & Mrs. Dixon	Rev. Canon Dixon Mrs. Dixon
Rev. F. R. Drew	Rev. Francis Robert Drew (Malvern) See 1865 event.
Mr. Fieldsend	Thomas Fieldsend (Bradford)
Mr. Grimshaw	Walter Grimshaw (Whitby)
Mr. Hamel	Sigismund Hamel (Nottingham)
Mrs. Harrison	Mrs. Harrison
Mr. Kidson	Henry Edwin Kidson (Liverpool)
Rev. W. Milburne	Rev. William Milburne (Redcar)
Rev. G. B. Morley	Rev. George Bentley Morley (Cambridge) See 1865 event.
Mr. J. W. Morley	J. W. Morley (Birkby Rectory) See 1865 event.
Mr. Myers	William Collett Myers (Leeds)
Rev. J. F. Newton	Rev. John Farmer Newton (Kirkby‑in‑Cleveland) See 1865 event.
Rev. John & Mrs. Owen	Rev. John Owen (Hooton, Cheshire) See 1865 event. Mrs. Owen
Mr. & Miss Oxley	Mr. Oxley (Redcar) Miss Oxley
Mr. Park	William Park (West Hartlepool)
Mr. Rhodes	John Rhodes (Leeds)
Rev. D. Salter	Rev. David Mede Salter (South Fambridge) See 1865 event.
Rev. John & Mrs. Seaton	Rev. John Seaton (Vicar of St. John’s, Cleckheaton) Mrs. Sarah Seaton
Mr. Semple	Thomas Semple (Stockton-on-Tees)
Rev. A. B. & Mrs. Skipworth	Rev. Arthur Bolland Skipworth (Bilsdale) Mrs. Eliza Mary Skipworth
Mr. & Mrs. Staunton	Howard Staunton (London) Mrs. Frances Carpenter Staunton
Mr. & Mrs. Thorold	Edmund Thorold (Bath) Mrs. Louisa Thorold
Miss Thorold	Miss Eliza Mary Thorold (Sheffield)
Mr. S. Tomkins	Mr. S. Tomkins (London)
Rev. J. B. Turner	Rev. J. B. Turner
Rev. W. Wayte	Rev. William Wayte, (Stow, Eton) See 1865 event.
Mr. Whisker	John Whisker (Hull)
Dr. Wilson	Dr. William John Wilson (Clay Cross)

< 1865: 1st Redcar Chess Meeting < : > 1867: 3rd North Yorkshire & Durham CA Meeting >

Created

10/01/2013

Last Updated

27/01/2013