Hampshire County Matches 1891 / 92

COUNTY CHESS MATCH. HAMPSHIRE v. SURREY. A match between twenty representative players of these counties was played at Woking on Saturday. The bulk of the games were started at 4 p.m., and resulted in a win for Surrey by one game. The surprise of the evening was the defeat of Mr JH Blake (Southampton) by Mr HS Ward.

Blandford Weekly News – Thursday 03 December 1891

Portsmouth was on Saturday last the scene of an encounter between Hampshire and Sussex, with 23 players aside, the unexpected result being that the former county gained a decisive victory by 15½ games to 7½. One naturally looks for some explanation of a victory that not even a Hampshire enthusiast could say properly represented the true relative strengths of the two counties, and a glance at the composition of the Sussex team throws considerable light upon the matter.

Not one player the portion of the county east of Brighton, except Mr J Chandler, of Lewes, took part in the contest, and as this means that Messrs Cheshire, Womersley, Colborne. Hall, and Elsden, of Hastings, Mr WT Pierre of East Grinstead, and Rey HA Adams, of Eastbourne, together with Mews, AA Bowley, W Mead, R Lucas, and L Leuliette of Brighton were not in the team while Hampshire were even more strongly represented than against Surrey in the recent match at Woking.

We think the great difference in the scores is explained. The two “giants,” Messrs Blake and Wilson drew once more, but Mr Butler defeated Mr Elwell who is looked upon as the second champion of his county. We think this match is an apt illustration of the necessity of playing all county matches midway between the rival centres, otherwise the chances seem to heavily against the visiting county, that the match is practically decided when the locale is agreed upon.

Croydon Observer – Friday 22 January 1892

INTER-COUNTY CHESS MATCH HAMPSHIRE v. SUSSEX. This important county contest took place on Saturday at the rooms of the Portsmouth Chess Club. Hampshire was again victorious, winning 13 games and drawing 5, thus scoring 15½ to their opponents’ 7½. Both sides played without some of their best men; the prevailing sickness and bad weather accounting for many absentees.

The second half of the Hampshire team scored remarkably well; the players from the Isle of Wight and Bournemouth did not lose a game. Matches are to be played by the Hants Club in the spring against Wiltshire at Salisbury, and against Surrey at Winchester.

Southern Echo – Monday 18 January 1892

CHESS MATCH. WILTSHIRE VERSUS HAMPSHIRE. Under the auspices of the County Chess Association Wiltshire and Hampshire, a match took place the Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury, on Wednesday, between twenty one selected players from each county. Two of the Hampshire players failed to put in an appearance. On the whole the games were well contested, the visitors gaining well-earned victory.

The games were played in the large dining-room of the hotel, the arrangements of Mr Wilkes, the proprietor, meeting with the approval of both contestants and the few outsiders present who witnessed the games. Play commenced shortly before three o’clock, and terminated at six and resulted as follows: Wiltshire 12½ Hampshire, 16½. Before separating, Mr HJ King president of the Wiltshire Association, proposed “The health of the visiting players, and congratulated them upon their victory. That was the first match between the two Associations but hoped it would become an annual one, and that on the next occasion Wiltshire would turn the tables upon their opponents”.

Mr. Chipperfield (Southampton), as president the Hampshire Association, in responding, said he echoed the wish of Mr. King that the tables on the next occasion might be turned, the Wiltshire men he wished “more strength to their elbow.” Several of the visitors left by the evening train, but others remained and spent a pleasant night in the city. The members of the Wiltshire Association, including these of the Salisbury Chess Club in particular, are to be congratulated the consummation of so successful and pleasant a gathering.

Western Gazette – Friday 08 April 1892

An interesting Chess Match took place at the Red Lion Hotel, Salisbury, on Wednesday afternoon, between teams arranged by the Wiltshire Chess Association and the Hampshire Chess Association. This was the first time those two counties have met to try their strength, although it has always been thought that Hampshire could produce a stronger team than Wiltshire.

Salisbury was fixed upon as the locale for the game as being the most convenient centre for the players from both counties. The arrangements were made by Mr. A. Scbomberg, of Trowbridge, Hon. Sec. of the Wiltshire Association, assisted by Mr. CJ Woodrow, Hon. Sec. of the Salisbury Chess Club. Originally it was intended to play twenty each side; but on the arrival of some of the Hampshire players it was stated that their team would consist of twenty-one. Wiltshire, therefore, agreed to increase their number by one, and the play was arranged accordingly.

Two of the Hampshire team Mr F Budden, of Bournemouth, and Mr. WH Curtis, of Bournemouth did not put in an appearance, so that Mr CJ Woodrow of Salisbury, the Rev SJ Buchanan, of Salisbury, who were to have been respectively pitted against them, claimed and were allowed one game each, making two for Wiltshire default The Rev CJ F Welsh of Warminster, captained the Wiltshire team, and Mr JH Blake of Southampton, player of considerable reputation, was captain of the visitors.

The Wiltshire team was unusually weak, several of the best players from different parts of the county being unable to attend. The tail end of Hampshire also included several players of only mediocre ability. Play began at three o’clock. It was agreed to conclude at six o’clock and that no second game I should be commenced after five o’clock.

Nineteen players each side, arranged in order of their merit, settled down to play shortly after three; Mr. Welsh was matched against Mr. Blake and some clever play was expected. The President of the Wiltshire Association (M HJ King, of Wilton) had as his opponent Mr FH Elwell, of Southampton, a gentleman who is a smart player, especially when it is borne in mind that he is very young man.

It was noticed that there was one lady player, Miss Rooper, of Bournemouth, who was opposed Mr W Gibbs, of Warminster. Silence having been strictly enjoined, the match went on quietly until shortly after four when the first report was given one to Hampshire. Mr Trantrum having won game against Mr Parker. Three games then fell in succession to the home team and at half-past four the score was Wiltshire three, Hampshire one. Miss Rooper played well the first part the game and made some brilliant attacks, being repulsed and Mr Gibbs assuming the aggressive, it was found that her defence was weak, and she soon succumbed, and left without embarking on the second game.

At five o’clock Hampshire was leading, the visitors having gained five games against Wiltshire’s four. A stubbornly-fought game between Mr Sargent and Mr Leonard was drawn, and the adjudicators declared the second game, which was unfinished at six o’clock, a draw. Just before five o’clock Mr. Hammick and Mr. Martin’s game ended a draw, and those players began the second game a few minutes before the hour. The second game like the first was drawn. Retrieving his defeat on the first game, Mr Parker won his second by queening a pawn.

At twenty minutes after five the score stood Hampshire seven, Wiltshire six. The two games claimed by default were now entered on the card, and the revised report was Wiltshire eight Hampshire seven. Mr. Wheatstone beating Mr. Gregory equalised the score making it eight against eight. A drawn game followed, leaving the teams still equal.

Several players having finished their first games too late to begin the second interest was concentrated in the games at the top of the table. Mr Blake, who had the move, several times attacked with his queen on black’s king’s side but by careful play he was again and again compelled to retire. In point of pieces the players at this stage of the game, about, half-past five, were equal, and without a fluke, draw seemed inevitable. The most exciting game was that at number two table between Mr. King and Mr. Elwell, where good play had been shown on both sides. The latter had a piece to the good, but his opponent had the advantage of several strongly, placed pawns with a good chance of queening one of them. At six o’clock Mr. King had four pawns against a bishop and a single pawn. Mr. Blake and Mr. Welsh judged the second table game, and after some discussion the former agreed with the Wiltshire Captain that Mr. King was bound to queen one of his pawns and thus win the game, a decision which gave satisfaction to both sides. The game was therefore scored to Wiltshire.

Mr King and Mr Elwell adjudicated upon the game between Mr Welsh and Mr Blake, and gave it as a draw. The unfinished game between Rev CC Clarke and Mr GR Sloper, was awarded to the latter, and Mr Asher’s against Mr Cooke was given in favour of the visitors. Wiltshire claimed and was allowed another game by default in consequence of the lady not playing her second game. Soon after six the result was declared to be as follows :

Salisbury Times – Friday 08 April 1892

On Saturday last a team of Surrey players journeyed to Winchester to meet the representatives of Hampshire in a friendly match. In spite of the distance from town, the Surrey team was fairly strong, including as it did Messrs H Jacobs, Vyne, Taylor, Mollard, and Sargent, while Mr Ward-Higgs of “City of London” renown appeared for the first time for his county, and if only such regular players as Messrs B. McLeod, Keliher, Rees, and Braund had been able to join in the match, Surrey would, no doubt, have been able to claim the victory.

The Hampshire team was about the same as usual, the only changes being on the last four or five boards. It was regrettable that the train was late at Winchester, as it so shortened the time for play that no less than eight games out of the twenty-one had to be submitted to a hurried adjudication.

In two of these eight games, namely, in those between Messrs Jacobs and Blake, and Messrs Ward-Hiiggs and Elwell, no decision was arrived at, the positions being therefore sent to a professional. Of the other six, four were given as wins for Hampshire, and two as drawn. At the present moment it will be seen that the score is ten games to nine in favour of Hampshire, and as Surrey only claims draws in the two undecided games the result of the match will certainly be a victory in favour of Hampshire although the score is not settled. (It seems these went Hampshire’s way, as the final score was 12 – 9 – webmaster.)

Turning to the individual games, on Board 1 Mr Blake played a Roy Lopez against Mr Herbert Jacobs, who selected a Mortimer’s Defence. Mr Jacobs did not play up to his usual form, evidently suffering from a severe headache, and in the position left for the professional to adjudicate he is the exchange behind, although there are certain compensations, which make a definite decision difficult.

On Board 2 Mr 1 Vyne met his old opponent, Lieutenant Chepnell, and by playing the Ruy Lopez succeeded in reversing the verdict of the home match at Woking Mr Ward-Higgs had also to meet the Ruy Lopez and a most determined game ensued, the Surrey player being a Pawn behind at adjudication time.

Mr Raymond tried the obsolete Philidor against Mr Taylor, and after some interesting play a draw resulted. On Board 5 Mr Bollard encountered a Ruy Lopez played by Mr Crasweller, and when Messrs Blake and Jacobs came to adjudicate they found the Surrey cup-holder a Pawn in arrears and awarded the game to his opponent a decision to which Mr Mollard greatly demurred. Messrs Sargent and Eklund had for once to submit to an adverse decision of the adjudicators, and it is not until we get to Mr Marfleet on Board 10 that Surrey really began to hold her own. Messrs Dufreane, H Hill, and Barton played rapidly and brilliantly, while Mr Harold Jacobs. after losing considerable ground, achieved an ingenious draw.

Considering the wearying railway journey, and the fact of playing off their own ground, Surrey are to be congratulated upon making so good a score against such a powerful team as Hampshire can now put in the field, and we trust that the time will come when matches played mid-way will equalize these disadvantages.

Croydon Observer – Friday 13 May 1892