One of our most genial and reliable chess editors has recently
informed us, on very high authority, that even our Most Gracious
Majesty Queen Victoria, has at times shewn an appreciation of
chess.
Three years after the commencement of her reign the first
County Chess Association, was formed in Yorkshire. There were
at this time but twelve chess clubs in this country. The year
1849 signalised the first Chess Tournament found on record, it
took place at Simpson's, and Mr. H. T. Buckle writer and author,
the best amateur at this time, came forth first. This was two years
before the first world's International Chess Tournament of 1851,
was held in London, of which the Prince Consort was patron, since
then thirty-four National Tournaments and forty-eight country
meetings, and twenty University matches between Oxford and
Cambridge have taken place.
It is now reasonably estimated that there are quite five hundred
clubs, and institutions where chess is practiced and cultivated,
and near one hundred and fifty chess columns, and both press
notice and chess clubs are continually on the increase.
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THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Simpson's renowned establishment was opened by Mr.
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