Game Collection: National and Regional Tournaments

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Events
A Alexandre vs J Rhodes, 1841
J Rhodes vs F Noyes, 1841

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History

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Yorkshire Chess Association.

The Second Meeting of this Association was held at the Corn Exchange Rooms, Wakefield, on Monday last, Nov. 8th. As the name may not convey to the Chess public generally the object and scope of this society, it may be advisable to give a succinct history of its formation, and the views of those by whom it was established.

In almost all provincial clubs some one style of play often predominates,—a strong mannerism (if we may use the expression) runs through the Chess notions of all tis members, and where this peculiarity exists, it always operates as a serious obstacle to attaining any high degree of proficiency. It therefore occurred to several influential members of the Leeds and Wakefield Clubs that as the West-Riding of Yorkshire abounded more than any other part of the kingdom in Chess Clubs, some association which should annually bring them together for a day's play, would have the effect of causing reciprocal participation of skill; and by exciting emulation, tend to spread still further the love of this noble game. Nor were the advantages overlooked of drawing players together by more social bons than those which had hitherto united them; for, in spite of the sneers of the ignorant, who pronounce the game to be dull and unsocial, there is no amusement, the charming art of music not excepted, that arouses in so great a degree, the friendly and social feelings, or wiles away with so much fascination the necessary hours of man's amusement.

The idea of this association, once broached, was followed up with enthusiasm, and the result was the first general meeting of the Yorkshire players, at Leeds, last January.

After this long preamble, we now come to the arrangements of the second meeting on Monday last, and "merrie Wakefield of the olden time," was cheered by perhaps the largest assemblage of chess players that ever met together for the purpose of play at any one time since the invention of this ancient pastime. But numbers only are nothing, the innumerable host of Xerxes was stayed by the small but valiant band of Leonidas, there was more than mere numbers, there was skill of first rate quality. Yorkshire furnished her best and bravest knights, and the tourney was graced by the presence of two veteran warriors, Mons. Alexandre and Mr. Newham, who are justly ranked amongst the finest players in the kingdom.

At ten o'clock the room was opened for play, and parties as they arrived sought out their antagonists, so that in the course of an hour or two, eighteen chess boards were in requisition, and continued so until six o'clock. The party then adjourned to the Bull Inn to dinner, where a most sumptuous repast was provided by Mrs. Bywater, to whom it is but justice to say, that the great profusion and excellence of the viands, the quality of the wins, and the utmost attention paid to the comforts of her guests, gave universal satisfaction.

The party consisted of fourty-four gentlemen, among whom were the following:—Rev. E. C. Tyson, M.A. chairman, Mr. F. W. Cronhelm, vice-chairman; Messrs Cronhelm, junr., Craven, Leyland and Walsh, of Halifax; Mr. Laycock, Bradford; Messrs Brierley, Kilner, and Parratt, of Huddersfield; Messrs Brown, Boyne, Cadman, Muff, Powell, Rhodes, Richardson and Robinson, of Leeds; Mssrs Ainley and Milligan, of Bingley; Messrs Johnson, Pearson and Maw, of Doncaster; Messrs Lewis, Linley, Parker and Piper, of Sheffield; Rev. R. Garvey, M.A. Messrs Allison, France, O'Dwyer, Paige, W. Robinson, H. Robinson, E. Shepherd, A. Shepherd and Walker, of Wakefield. Amongst the visitors were Mons. Alexandre, Mr. Newham, president, and Messrs. Noyes and Maix, members of the Nottingham Club. Capt. Hardy, Mr. Stewart, of Horbury, &c.

Mr. Newham, one of the strongest players in England, owing to ill health and the prohibition of his physician, did not play. But we observed great science shown in many of the games played by Mons. Alexandre; Mr. Noyes, Nottingham; Messrs Brown, Cadman, Muff, and Rhodes, of Leeds; Mr. Piper, Sheffield; Messrs Cronhelm and Leyland, of Halifax; Mr. Pearson, Doncaster; Mr. Parratt, Huddersfield; Mr. Laycock, Bradford, &c. The reputation of the Wakefield Club as sustained by the Chairman, Rev. E. C. Tyson, and Messrs Allison, France, and Robinson. Mr. Shepherd, one of the strongest members in the club, did not play at all, but contributed materially to the pleasure of the meeting by his assiduity in introducing the various players to each other, and matching them suitably according to their skill.

The Rev. E. C. Tyson, took the chair; after the removal of the cloth, grace was said by the Rev. R. Garvey. Among the toasts given were "The Queen," with the usual honours; "The Queen Dowager, Prince Albert, and the Royal Family."

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Leeds Intelligencer, 1841.11.13, p8
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Game Collection: National and Regional Tournaments