Chess history trivia

[John Townsend]

Which strong player matriculated at Oriel College, Oxford, on 21 February 1850, and spent some time in India?

[John Moore]

John Cochrane?

[John Townsend]

No, it's someone younger than Cochrane, John, though, of course, he did spend a lot of time in India.

I could have added that the subject's age given on matriculation was 18.

[Christopher Kreuzer]

A strong chess player who spent some time in India, born around 1832 or 1833 and went to Oriel College, Oxford? This is tough!

[John Townsend]

Thanks, Christopher. I suppose I should add that, at the time of his matriculation, he was of Knipton, Leicestershire; he played against "The Brahmin" and other Indians, whose play he rated above the best Europeans, and he later played a match against Falkbeer, which he lost by 3-7.

[John Townsend]

Answer: Valentine Green

For a few biographical notes, see B.C.M., Vol. 84, 1964, page 306.

[John Upham]

Answer: Valentine Green

For a few biographical notes, see B.C.M., Vol. 84, 1964, page 306.

I was thinking only the other day that we ought to have more discussion of Valentine Green and AY Green.

[MJMcCready]

Which champion of Bedford Chess club went on to become champion of South Africa?

[John Upham]

Which champion of Bedford Chess club went on to become champion of South Africa?

Jim Plaskett?

[Jon D'Souza-Eva]

Which champion of Bedford Chess club went on to become champion of South Africa?

Harry Duhan?
https://durbanchessclub.co.za/duhan.html

[John Upham]

Which champion of Bedford Chess club went on to become champion of South Africa?

Harry Duhan?
https://durbanchessclub.co.za/duhan.html

I used the following keyword search on Google (chess, south africa, bedford) and found

https://mccreadyandchess.org/2016/02/12 ... champions/

[MJMcCready]

Ah, foiled there.

[MJMcCready]

The bishop of which island nation, telegraphed his absence to the British Championship in its second week in 1908?

The telegraph was:
'Best of good wishes. Regret absence. Bishop of ***********.'

[John Townsend]

Trinidad?

[John Upham]

Trinidad?

Correct.

Play took place in the Pump Room, which was tastefully decorated, and the formal opening ceremony took place at 5-30 p.m. on August 10th. when his Worship the Mayor, speaking on behalf of the citizens, offered the delegates, players, and visitors a very cordial welcome, and said it was an honour for Tunbridge Wells to have the Congress held in the town. He hoped they would all take away a high opinion of its citizens and a high opinion of the scenery of the district. He was sorry that the Federation president, Sir John Thursby, could not be present; but he had wired, “Hearty good wishes for pleasant and successful Congress,” and hoped to be present during the second week. He had also received a telegram: "Best of good wishes. Regret absence.—Bishop of Trinidad.” In respect to the competitors, his Worship said he understood that there were 101 competitors from fifty-three towns, the four countries being well represented; and that, including the delegates and other friends, 300 persons had invaded the district. Amongst the prominent visitors were Mr. L. Hoffer and the veteran Mr. James Mortimer; also Mr. J. H. Blackburne, the old English master. If he might interpolate there, might he say that so long as he had known chess—and that had been a large portion of his career—he had known the name of Blackburne as the representative in many hard fights in all parts of the world of the old British Country. He (the Mayor) hoped that on that occasion Mr. Blackburne was going to prove that he had lost none of his skill, and none of his heart in the great game of chess. In bringing his speech of welcome to a close, his Worship said that whoever the winners of the respective contests might prove to be, he was perfectly certain they would be the best of their class and sex, and that Tunbridge Wells would have a great intellectual treat by the visit of the Congress. The Mayoress and himself hoped on the following Saturday to see them at their own home, when they could in a more sociable manner reiterate their welcome to Tunbridge Wells.

according to https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/pgn/19 ... iewer.html