London, England (16 June-1 September 1879)
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 Score
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Mason ½ ½ 0 0 1 ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 0 1 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 0 6½*
Potter ½ ½ 1 1 0 ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 1 0 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 1 6½
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* The match was agreed drawn by both players.
Format: First to seven points, first eight draws not counting, is the winner.
Stakes: £10 each.
Time Control: 15 moves per hour.
Introduction
"A match has been arranged between Mr. W. N. Potter, of London, one of our most skilful amateurs, and Mr. James Mason, of New York, who has been residing in London for some time past. The games will be played at the City Club and at Simpson's Divan alternately, and the winner of seven games will be declared the victor. The time limit will be fifteen moves an hour."(1)
"We are glad to announce that a match has been arranged between Mr. W. N. Potter and Mr. James Mason. The first game will be played on next Monday, the 16th inst., at the City of London Club, Newgate-street. Three games a week will be played, and the winner of the first seven will be the conqueror, and be entitled to the prize—£20."(2)
"The twenty-first game in the Mason-Potter match was won by the latter, bringing up the score to six and a-half each. The match was therefore declared drawn, according to a previous understanding that the result should not be made dependent upon a single game."(3)
Missing Games
The sixth and eighth, both drawn, are missing. A report on the sixth game with a final position exists, however, there is some error in the piece placement with a white knight and white pawn both occupying the Q R 5th square.
"The sixth game in the match between Messrs. Potter and Mason, which our last report left adjourned, was resumed on the 2nd inst., and, after very few moves, was abandoned as drawn. The adjourned position is a curiosity in its way, and it is certainly an instructive end game. Most players would be inclined to pronounce it to be a "a win" for Black; but the result of the actual play only confirms independent analysis. The following was the position of the pieces:—White (Mr. Potter), K at K B 3rd, Kt at Q R 5th, Pawns at Q 4th and Q R 5th; Black (Mr. Mason), K at K 3rd, B at K 2nd, Pawns at K Kt 2nd, K B 4th and 5th, and Q 4th. Black played the K to Q 2nd, and the game was drawn. The seventh game began on the same evening and concluded on the 5th inst., also resulted in a remise after three hours' play; and the eighth stands adjourned as we go to press, the score being Mr. Potter, 2; Mr. Mason, 1; drawn games, 4."(4)
Game Dates and Venues
1 Played June 16 (Club)
2 Played June 18 (Divan)
3 Played June 21 (Divan)
4 Played June 23 (Club)
5 Played June 25 (Club)
6 Begun June 30 (Divan); ended July 2 (Divan)
7 Begun July 2 (Divan); ended July 5 (Divan)
8 Begun July 7 (Club); ended July 9 (Club)
9 Begun July 12 (Divan); ended July 14 (Club)
10 Begun July 16 (Divan); ended July 19 (site unknown)
11 Played July 21 (Club)
12 Played July 26 (Divan)
13 Begun July 26 (Divan); continued July 28 (Club); ended July 30 (site unknown)
14 Begun August 2 (Divan); ended August 6 (site unknown)
15 Played August 9 (Divan)
16 Begun August 11 (Club); ended August 13 (site unknown)
17 Begun August 16 (site unknown); ended August 18 (site unknown)
18 Played August 20 (Divan)
19 Begun August 20 (Divan); ended August 25 (Club)
20 Played August 27 (site unknown)
21 Begun August 30 (Divan); ended September 1 (Divan)
Sources
(1) Illustrated London News, 1879.05.17, p475
(2) London Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 1879.06.14, p303
(3) Chess Monthly, v1 n2, October 1879, p33
(4) Illustrated London News, 1879.07.12, p47
Kibitzing
