London, England (12-28 October 1870)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wins Place/Prize
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1 Wisker •• 0 1 1 1 1 1 5* 1st
2 Burn 1 •• 1 ½1 0 ½1 ½1 5 2nd
3 Owen 0 0 •• 1 1 1 1 4
4 Blackburne 0 ½0 0 •• ½1 ½1 1 3
5 Gossip 0 1 0 ½0 •• ½0 1 2
6 Green 0 ½0 0 ½0 ½1 •• 1 2
7 Ide 0 ½0 0 0 0 0 •• 0
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* Wisker won the two game playoff 1½-½.
Introduction
The preliminary meeting of those who intend to compete this year for the Challenge Cup will be held at the St. George's Club, on Monday, 10th October, at 7 p.m. precisely. Such or our readers as desire to enter should send their names to Mr. Medley, Purssell's, Cornhill, on or before that date. The entrance fee will be £1 1s. (1)
British Chess Association. A meeting of the members of this society was held at the St. George's Chess Club on Monday last, for the purpose of settling the time and conditions of play for the challenge cup presented by the Association. This cup has already been competed for twice, the victor on the first occasion being Mr De Vere, and on the second Mr Blackburne. Should either of these gentlemen succeed in winning it again it then becomes his property. At the meeting on Monday the hon. secretary announced that the Association intended to add to the value of the first prize a sum of money, and to give also a second prize. the following are the players who have entered for the challenge cup tourney this year: Messrs Blackburne, Burn, Green, Ide, MacDonnell, and Owen. Play was begun on Wednesday, and is to be continued daily, Sunday excepted, until the conclusion of the tournament.(2)
Conclusion
Mr. Burn and Mr. Wisker having scored equally, met on Wednesday to play off the tie. An obstinate battle of ten hours' duration resulted in a draw. A second game on Friday, though a less scientific specimen of play, ended more satisfactorily for one of the players, for Mr. Wisker won the game and the cup, the second prize falling to Mr. Burn.(3)
Sources
(1) Westminster Chess Club Papers, v3 n6, 1 October 1870, pp86-87
(2) London Field, 1870.10.15, p339
(3) London Sun, 1870.10.31, p2
(4) Illustrated London News, 1870.11.05, p483 (shows total number of draws played in the event)
Kibitzing
