In 1868 at the British Chess Association Handicap he came second to Steinitz.

He was British champion for two championships (Challenge Cups) running in 1870 and 1872.

In the third BCA Challenge Cup in 1870, Wisker defeated the up and coming Owen, Blackburne, and Gossip, and then defeated Burn in a play-off match.

He also played matches with Bird (1873).

"In 1873, Wisker was holder of the British Chess Association Challenge Cup, but had never seen or played with Bird, who had been for six years out of chess. An accidental meeting by them, and the presence and intervention of Lowenthal and Boden, led to the Wisker and Bird four matches, the first for 5 pounds, and the other for credit of victory only".(Bird)

Wisker had a further match with MacDonnell (1874).

Wisker co-edited The City of London Chess Magazine, (published from February 1875 to January 1876) with William Norwood Potter (1840-1895)and The Field (London).

Wisker also wrote a novel, "The Machinations of Detherby Yarke".

There was also a chess editor of The Sportsman (London) called John Wisker and it seems probable that this was him.

1. W 6 B 6 draw 0
2. W 4 B 6 draw 2
3. W 3 B 5 draw 1
4. W 10 B 8 draw 3

<In 1873, Wisker ... had never seen or played with Bird ... > except maybe for the 2 games from the 1868 BCA Congress.

On his "resume" Wisker had a number of wins against some leading European masters of the 1879s: Burn, Bird, Blackbourne, S.rosenthal, De Vere, G.MacDonnel!