<The match saw the first recorded use of the Scotch Gambit, which strangely enough was first used by the London players. Edinburgh liked it so much that after fierce discussion they adopted it themselves and used it to great effect in two games.

The moves were published in a number of newspapers and drew considerable public attention and not a little controversy when in one of the games the London club attempted to retract a poor move in a critical position, even applying unsuccessfully to the Postmaster for the return of the letter. The Postmaster having refused, the Edinburgh club took the stance that a move once posted was the equivalent of a piece having been released and the move thus completed, and the game was eventually won by Edinburgh. Such was the passion generated that there were still heated letters being written to the chess journals on the subject in 1850. Needless to say the two clubs' versions of events differ somewhat in the match books produced afterwards, which we still have in our library. We also have the original letters with their wax seals, which carried the moves between the two capitals.

The match went on for 4 years, during which time 5 games were played with the two drawn games not counting, two being won by Edinburgh, and one by London. As the winners of the match, Edinburgh took possession of the promised trophy which was promptly christened the Scot's Gambit Cup, and which still holds pride of place in our trophy cabinet.>

http://www.edinburghchessclub.co.uk...

* * * * *

The claim that the first game is from 1820, or even officially connected with the ECC is suspect given this:

<Only two years after its formation the club took part in the first ever correspondence match between two clubs, when in 1824 it had the temerity to challenge the established and powerful London Chess Club.>

(Same source as above)

Clearly implying the ECC was established in 1822.

In fact we be more explicit:

<The Edinburgh Chess Club was established in 1822, its first meeting taking place in the North British Hotel in Princes St. It started with 31 members, a figure that had risen to 50 within 2 years, and the following years they were discussing the purchase of a house to serve as permanent clubrooms. In fact they had to wait another 97 years before that wish would come true.>

http://www.edinburghchessclub.co.uk...

The 1820 game is a fake. I sent in a correction slip in June 2014.

The club still has the minutes of the very first meeting on the 4th November 1822.

They organised a whip round to pay for the hotel room, candles, the purchase of some chess pieces and to reimburse the lad who placed the advert adverting starting up a chess club in an Edinburgh Newspaper.

There is an address on the picture here.

http://www.edinburghchessclub.co.uk...

Now I understand why you wanted to move the discussion.

I could not contact the bod who has all the keys and codes also I wanted to see a copy of Cochrane's 1819 treatise of the Scotch which is not at the club.

That thing of game which they have labelled Edinburgh v London may be in there as analysis or a game.

My idea worked I have found out who played that bogus game.

Keep your eye on:

We had a fair number of events planned but covid put the kibosh on a few.

We still plan an invite only tournament for the great, the good and the high graded. (plans are afoot)

Also, hopefully, (discussions are also taking place) a super-duper star to give a club simul.

Topalov gave the last one at the club and he was brilliant.

One thing I'm trying to organise is a meal, two pints of lager and a mince pie, in the very building they met in on the evening of 4th of November 1822. (The original minutes, which we still have, state they had a whip round for candles and money to buy chess sets. )

Here is me displaying some of the recently acquired chess club paraphernalia which is being dished out free to the members.

https://www.redhotpawn.com/imgu/blo...

The club site has been updating a background on all it's members, there may be something of interest for the bio team. https://www.edinburghchessclub.co.u...

That so far, is the 19th Century Members. Quite a few famous names from 1900 onwards.

I'll send the club badge to C.G. hopefully they can add it this page.

Meanwhile maybe someone could add a link to the clubs site. (thank you)

Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci

Support for Geoff

'Thrift, thrift, Horatio! The funeral baked meats / Did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables.'

https://myshakespeare.com/hamlet/ac...

'.. This is by no means a difficult task, as some gloomy philosophers (uninitated in culinary science) have tried to make the world believe --- who seem to have delighted in persuading you, that every thing that is nice must be noxious; and that every thing that is nasty, is wholesome. ..',

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt...

from 'The cook's oracle: containing receipts for plain cookery', p. 13, 1822

Recipes

https://thelittlelibrarycafe.com/bl...

http://www.foodsofengland.co.uk/boo...

Por(k)poise alternative

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt...

Unrelated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s7...

I am now the proud owner of an Edinburgh Chess Club hat. (and a jersey with the club badge on it, a mug, coaster, mouse mate, fridge magnet...)

Topalov gave the last one at the club and he was brilliant.>

Do you know or can you reveal how much it cost?

Would not mind having him back. A great guy, jokey, showing players where they went wrong, eyes sparkled with delight when we showed him our signed visitors book, Blackburne, Capablanca, Alekhine, Karpov...(and now him!) etc.

Sadly covid has put the mockers on a lot of events we had planned. I was to run a tournament for players rated between 1822-2022, it may yet come off but we are running out of months and have three other tournaments taking precedent.

Seriously considering getting an Edinburgh C.C. Tattoo...or maybe a green pawn but that is also the logo of chess.com I had it first, I wrote for the Hibernian fanzine in the late 70's early 80's under that name.

Chess History.
Somebody in the 1800's filled 4 massive scraps books full of newspaper chess cuttings. It looks like they come from many various sources. They are about the size of a small coffee table and thicker than a brick.

You might even consider asking Google to help if you lack the time/energy. Inquire with a cooperating library, or see this:

https://books.google.com/intl/en_au...

I'll be using a high def camera. My first task will be to look for anything with an Edinburgh mention as we re putting together a full history.

Yes Staunton help keep the club going and interest revived. We have all copies of these old magazine from that era plus dozens in foreign languages.

Re:simul fees.

Sure, agreed, but that's why I suggested teaming up with the pros - i.e. a University library or Google directly.

They use camera scanners (not flatbed), to accommodate these delicate, heavy, bulky old notebooks.

CPL digitized Miron Hazeltine's scrapbooks, and the Historical Society of Penn used to have Walter Penn Shipley's scrapbooks online. It can be done.

I am not lugging huge books about at my age.

I'll enjoy going through them and weeding out what I want. If any genuine researcher wants to have a look then give a few days notice and we will accommodate them. Also they will not be allowed to leave the club.

I started going though the collection today.

Have discovered along with the four monster books there are 5 smaller books. Sadly not all the clippings are dated but you can get an idea of when by bracketing between given dates and what is in the clipping.

Today was a trial run, already got a loads of goodies (blog fodder) a couple of games I submitted here (screwed one up but corrected it.)

Trouble with <CG> is too many old geezers hanging about...

<I am not lugging huge books about at my age.>

Either falling apart physically....

<<<SALLY>> and <<Z FREE>> and <<SCAZZ>> need to get a room lol lol>

... or mentally!

I appreciate that photo, nice stuff.

I am serious about trying to enlist a local university to try to get Google books involved. I know GB's cut back, but they did travel to the library sites for scanning - and why not to CC's?

But I understand it would be above and beyond the call of duty to follow up on this - regrettably. So let's move on

(But do keep us informed of your future adventures diving into the past)

I was thinking of doing a quick run through to see if I could spot doublers or something like that.

But this is more fun. I do not know what I'm going to see every time I turn a page.

Priority is anything Edinburgh related for the club site but if I see anything that I know will be of interest I'll post.