Inspired by the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, and using only the English.

According to http://ibeatgarry.com/?from=Staunto..., it is possible to link these two players in 6 degrees, but I haven't looked yet at what the openings were. Here is the output, if anyone would care to check:

Staunton, Howard wins against Kasimdzhanov, Rustam via 6 links:

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Staunton, Howard beats Anderssen, Adolf
Staunton, Howard vs. Anderssen, Adolf 1-0, London knockout k.o. ENG 1851

Anderssen, Adolf beats Blackburne, Joseph Henry
Anderssen, Adolf vs. Blackburne, Joseph Henry 1-0, London mt tourn ENG 1862

Blackburne, Joseph Henry beats Johner, Paul F
Blackburne, Joseph Henry vs. Johner, Paul F 1-0, Ostende-B+ tourn BEL 1907

Johner, Paul F beats Najdorf, Miguel
Najdorf, Miguel vs. Johner, Paul F 0-1, Munich ol (Men) team GER 1936

Najdorf, Miguel beats Timman, Jan H
Timman, Jan H vs. Najdorf, Miguel 0-1, Reykjavik tourn ISL 1976