Chess history trivia

[MJMcCready]

Aha, yes I would suspect so.

[Roger de Coverly]

Which UK country has the oldest chess association?

According to Wikipedia there was a British Chess Association founded in 1857 and again in 1884.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_C ... ampionship

It didn't survive long enough to be incoprporated into the British Chess Federation founded in 1904 as a federation of three regional bodies

[MJMcCready]

Aha, I see this is not mentioned in the publication I am reading, which coincidentally, lists you as an attributor to the content.

[MJMcCready]

Which county in England was the first to form a chess association and in which year?

[John Townsend]

It's time for a Scottish question.

During his visit to Scotland in 1852, Howard Staunton stayed at Kirkconnel Manse with "Delta", i.e. Rev. John Donaldson, and also at Newbattle Manse. Who was his host at Newbattle Manse?

[Gerard Killoran]

It's time for a Scottish question.

During his visit to Scotland in 1852, Howard Staunton stayed at Kirkconnel Manse with "Delta", i.e. Rev. John Donaldson, and also at Newbattle Manse. Who was his host at Newbattle Manse?

The Reverend Thomas Gordon aka "Gamma".

[John Townsend]

Yes, very good, Gerard.

Newbattle Manse is at, or near, Dalkeith. For "Delta's Reminiscences", see B.C.M., Vol. XI, October 1891, pp. 450-459.

[John Townsend]

Which player who represented Oxford in varsity chess matches, 1901-3, was also a cricket "Blue", 1902-4?

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Well, I've found three possible candidates who played for Oxford in all three of the 1902, 1903 and 1904 university matches against Cambridge:

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHI ... L1902.html

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHI ... L1903.html

http://static.espncricinfo.com/db/ARCHI ... L1904.html

WHB Evans

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_E ... born_1883)

(Quite a fascinating biography.)

ACE von Ernsthausen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolph_von_Ernsthausen

(Not as much information, but a tantalising name.)

RCW Burn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Burn

(Another fairly fleshed-out biography.)

Presumably one of them played chess, but which one?!

[Christopher Kreuzer]

And I believe the answer is the little-known Adolph Christian Ernest von Ernsthausen:

http://www.edochess.ca/players/p5654.html

Interesting link you pointed out there, John.

Pen portrait at John Saunder's BritBase biographical page for varsity players:

https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/pgn/varsity-biog1.html

Additional notes to the cricket and the chess include: "Racehorse owner" and "He was of Dutch extraction" and educated at "Uppingham". Oh, and he changed his name to HOWESON.

[John Townsend]

Yes, you are right, Christopher. Well worked out.

Another time, I feel it would be better if contestants gave the complete answer, rather than publishing research in progress, since that may make the problem easier for others and detract from their satisfaction in solving it.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

Sorry, John. Got a bit carried away there. Will give complete answers in future. Thank you, by the way, for posting your posers, as they are always interesting!

[John Townsend]

M.J. McCready asked:

"Which county in England was the first to form a chess association and in which year?"

I think Yorkshire Chess Association, 1841.

[MJMcCready]

Yes correct

[John Townsend]

According to anecdote, which future world champion, having gone out for the evening instead of working on an adjourned tournament game, was required to go to a police station, where he found the police analyzing his position?