London, England (15 December 1862-5 January 1863)
1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 Wins
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Steinitz 1 ½ 0 1 1 ½ 1 1 1 1 7
Blackburne 0 ½ 1 0 0 ½ 0 0 0 0 1
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Venue: London Chess Club
Format: First to win 7 games is victor.
Time Control: Four minutes/move.
Purse: A few pounds to the winner, and rather less to the loser.
Prelude
Mr Blackburne has arrived in town. We hope that the London Chess Club will avail themselves of this opportunity to arrange some matches for him. (1)
Introduction
An excellent little match, in the London club, and under its patronage, was commenced last Monday between Mr Blackburn (sic) and Mr Stenitz (sic). They play, we believe, for the first seven games. The stakes being a few pounds to the winner, and rather less to the loser. (2)
Match at the London Chess Club.—A highly interesting contest is now in progress at this Club; the members having taken advantage of Mr Blackburne's presence in London to arrange a match between that gentleman and Mr Steinitz—the winner of the first seven games to be declared victor, and the time to be limited to four minutes a move. Of the great talents of the combatants it is needless for us to speak, both of them having made a great reputation in the Chess world. Their games will no doubt be highly interesting, and prove a source of great pleasure to those who peruse them. We shall present our readers with the games played on the occasion in due course. (3)
A match is also in progress at the London Chess Club, between Herr Steinitz and Mr Blackbourne (sic), of Manchester, who is now in town for a few weeks. The latest account of the score gives:—Steinitz, 1; Blackbourne, 0; Drawn, 1. (4)
With regard to the spirited match between the two ingenious young paladins—Steinitz and Blackburn (sic)—now pending in the London Club, we hear that the playing, so far, is in favour of the Austrian, he having gained two games to the English player's one. (5)
Another match of interest is proceeding this week at the London Chess Club, between Mr. Steinitz, the Austrian player, and Mr. Blackburne, who has gained considerable celebrity by his skill in playing blindfold; up to the time when we go to press Mr. S. has won two games, and his opponent one game. We should mention that in the match between Messrs. Mackenzie and M'Donnell the conditions are that whoever first score six games is to be considered victory. In the other contest the winner of seven games gains the day. (6)
Match between Mr. Blackburne & Herr Steinitz.
Present score:—Mr B., 1; Mr S., 2; drawn, 1.(7)
Mr Steinitz, we hear, has beaten Mr Blackburn 3 to 1. (8)
Match between Herr Steinitz and Mr Blackburne.
The following is the state of this contest from the last accounts that have reached us:—
Mr. Steinitz, 3; Mr Blackburne, 1; Drawn, 2. (9)
Match between Mr Steinitz and Mr Blackburne.—present score Mr S., 5; Mr B., 1; drawn, 2. (10)
Match between Messrs Blackburn (sic) and Steinitz.
This match (if match it can be called) has not yielded so much interest as was anticipated in the London club. Mr Steinitz has walked over the course, coming off with a score of 7 to 1. (11)
Match between Messrs. Steinitz and Blackburne.—This contest also was brought to a close during the past week, Mr. Steinitz having contrived to score no less than seven games to one game won by his opponent. (12)
Conclusion
Match between Herr Steinitz and Mr Blackbourne (sic).
This match was brought to a close on Monday night, M. Steinitz having succeeded in winning seven games to his opponent's one, one (sic) game having been drawn. We trust to be able to give some specimens of playing in an early number. (13)
Termination of the Match between Messrs. Blackburne and Steinitz.
This interesting encounter has terminated in favour of Mr Steinitz, who won seven games to Mr Blackburne's one. Mr Steinitz thus again sustains the reputation which he made for himself on his arrival in this country. We must not omit, however, to state, though in no disparagement to Mr Steinitz's powers, that Mr Blackburne did not exhibit the play that might reasonably have been expected of him. Indeed, his conduct of the games was so singularly weak that his antagonist was enabled to win almost without an effort. (14)
Sources
(1) London Era, 1862.12.14, p5
(2) London Field, 1892.12.20, p575
(3) London Era, 1863.12.21, p5
(4) London Sporting Gazette, 1862.12.20, p127
(5) London Field, 1862.12.27, p596
(6) Illustrated London News, 1862.12.27, p706
(7) London Era, 1862.12.28, p4
(8) London Field, 1863.01.03, p8
(9) London Sporting Gazette, 1863.01.03, p159
(10) London Era, 1863.01.01, p6
(11) London Field, 1863.01.10, p38
(12) Illustrated London News, 1863.01.10, p55
(13) London Sporting Gazette, 1863.01.10, p175
(14) London Era, 1863.01.18, p14
Kibitzing
