Chess history trivia

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

John Francis Welsh, apparently. Not a name I've come across before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Welsh_%28bishop%29

[John Townsend]

Which notable Yorkshire player was born on 2 November 1861?

[John Upham]

Which notable Yorkshire player was born on 2 November 1861?

https://mannchess.org.uk/People/Wainwri ... Edward.htm

[John Townsend]

Yes, well done, John. That didn't take you long.

[Mick Norris]

Interesting link, may well be familiar to our Ilkley forumites, but I was intrigued by the mention of Chorley (as well as wondering why John T asked the question)

[John Upham]

Yes, well done, John. That didn't take you long.

I claim no credit. 'twas Google that led me to the answer.

Questions on non-searchable material are more challenging.

If an idiot such as myself can produce an answer that I did not know before using a search engine then....

[John Townsend]

Mick, you wondered why I asked the question. It was to find out whether the forumites would know the answer. I was expecting that they would, as they are good in some areas, but probably less good as you go further backwards in time. In fact, I'm a bit concerned that study of 19th century chess history is becoming neglected, compared with, say, twenty years ago.

[Mick Norris]

I am glad you asked the question John, my diversion into history of Chorley was more interesting for me than the chess, sorry

[Richard James]

I've written a series of articles on George Edward Wainwright as part of my Minor Pieces series on British Chess News.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

[Tim Harding]

John Francis Welsh, apparently. Not a name I've come across before.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Welsh_%28bishop%29

While principal of the theological college in Warminster, Welsh played the following interesting little game against Blackburne (who was blindfold).

[Event "Trowbridge blindfold simul"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1901.11.19"]
[Round "?"]
[White "Blackburne, Joseph Henry"]
[Black "Welsh, John Francis rev"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B01"]
[Annotator "Belfast News-Letter 5/12/1901"]
[PlyCount "42"]
[EventDate "1901.11.??"]
[EventType "simul"]
[EventRounds "6"]
[SourceTitle "Blackburne-2023"]
[Source "Tim Harding"]
[SourceDate "2023.06.22"]
[SourceVersion "1"]
[SourceVersionDate "2023.06.22"]
[SourceQuality "1"]

{Belfast News-Letter, 5 Dec 1901, from the Morning Post.} 1. e4 d5 2. exd5 Qxd5 3.
Nc3 Qd8 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 c6 6. h3 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 Qc7 8. O-O Nd7 9. d4 e6 10. Qe2
Be7 11. d5 {Initiating a deep combination. Considering that Mr. Blackburne was
playing five other games blindfold at the same time, it is really marvellous
that he was able to see his way through the complications of the position.}
exd5 12. Bxd5 cxd5 13. Nxd5 Qc5 (13... Qd6 14. Rd1 {Threat Bf4}) 14. c4 {
White now threatens a very powerful move in b2-b4.} Rc8 15. Bf4 {Again very
subtle. There seems to be no safety for Black in any case, though moving the
King is probably the most promising course.} Qxc4 16. Rac1 {This is the
culminating move, forcing Black to capture the Queen.} Qxe2 17. Rxc8+ Bd8 18.
Bc7 f5 19. Rxd8+ Kf7 20. Rxd7+ Ke6 21. Rd6+ Kf7 (21... Kf7 {
At this point Black, presumably having to leave, proposed a draw, which was
accepted, though Mr. Blackburne thought that} 22. Nf4 {would probably win. We
are decidedly of that opinion. White is threatening Rd7+, and if Black moves
his Queen to prevent this White, among other possibilities, may move Rd8,
holding the Black pieces and retaining a strong attack. The position deserves
close attention, and it is a pity the game was not carried further.} (22. Rd7+
$145 {would force perpetual check or the recovery of the sacrificed material?})
) 1/2-1/2

[MJMcCready]

In which town/city did Blackburne perform a simul on November 4th 1880?

[John Upham]

In which town/city did Blackburne perform a simul on November 4th 1880?

Was it Blackburn by any chance?

[MJMcCready]

I think his name is Joseph Henry Blackburne isn't it, a.k.a 'the black death'.

[MJMcCready]

Oh sorry I take your point. No not Blackburn, much further south.

[John Upham]

Oh sorry I take your point. No not Blackburn, much further south.

Bolton?