Hooton, Cheshire, England (21-28 July 1873)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wins
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Owen 0 0 1 ½ 1 1 1 4
Skipworth 1 1 0 ½ 0 0 0 2
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Format: First to four wins, draws not counting.
Time Control: 20 moves per hour.
Prize: Provincial Champion Cup
Stakes: 3 guineas (each)
Prologue
The Provincial Champion Cup.
The match between Mr. Owen and Mr. Skipworth has been postponed, Mr. Skipworth having obtained an appointment in the Diocese of Lincoln, which at all events for the present will occupy nearly the whole of his time. (1)
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The Provincial Cup.
The promoters of this prize have agreed to modify the rule which provides that the matches shall be played where the holder of the cup resides. In future the parties may make any arrangement (as to place) most convenient to themselves, though either party may still claim to adhere to the original rule. Quoting from a letter of one of the principal promoters—"Surely all reasonable beings can come to terms under these conditions." Mr. Owen is the present holder of the cup, and we beg to remind our readers that all challenges must be sent through the editors of this magazine. (2)
Synopsis
Provincial Champion Cup.—Score on Wednesday last: Owen, 1; Skipworth, 2. The first winner of four games is the victor, according to the rules respecting this cup. (3)
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Provincial Champion Cup.—Since our last issue this match has been won by Mr Owen. The result was that Mr Owen won four, Mr Skipworth won two, and one was drawn. (4)
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Provincial Champion Cup.
The match for this cup was played, according to the rules, at Hootan (sic) Rectory, between Mr. Owen and Mr. Skipworth, and it resulted, on Monday last, in a victory once more for Mr. Owen. Score—Owen, 4; Skipworth, 2; drawn, 1.
The play on both sides was much better in many respects than in the previous match, played nearly two years ago. In the earlier games, Mr. Owen's play was not up to his standard, and the match was in favour of Mr. Skipworth, who was playing carefully and well. The score at the termination of the fourth game, being Skipworth, 2; Owen, 1; drawn, 1. There was however, presently a great change in the state of things. Mr. Owen scored the next three games and won the match, retaining the cup. In these latter games, Mr. Owen's play could scarcely have been improved, being both vigorous and correct, while Mr. Skipworth's, from some cause or other, was below par, losing now and then important time, and throwing advantage in position into his opponent's hand. Though the Fianchetto was played in each encounter, the play on both sides was charaterised by most difficult and critical combinations. In this match several new variations have been discovered, strengthening both the attack and the defence. All the games will appear in this magazine, and players interested in the Fianchetto will have the advantage of the new variations and combinations that have arisen.
Mr. Skipworth's time being so much occupied during the greater part of the year that he has but little time for chess playing, and he can scarcely look forward to another match before next summer's holiday, perhaps, however, in the meanlime (sic), some of our strong players in the provinces may venture to challenge Mr. Owen and the Fianchetto. If Mr. Owen holds the cup against all comers until the latter part of next year, he claims it as his own. (5)
Sources
(1) Chess Players' Chronicle, v3 n1, February 1872, p(outside back cover)
(2) Chess Players' Chronicle, v3 n2, April 1872, p58
(3) London Field, 1873.07.26, p89
(4) London Field, 1873.08.02, p132
(5) Chess Players' Chronicle, Supplement n1, August 1873, p1