Chess History and ReminiscencesBird, H. E. (Henry Edward)
History
Chess History and Reminiscences
Bird, H. E. (Henry Edward)
Chess
All chess admirers, not in this country alone, but throughout
the world, would like to have seen the names of Staunton and
Buckle, and the more recent ones of Boden and Wisker as much
as those of Lowenthal and Horwitz. Less convenient for
facetious observation, it is yet more than probable that the grand
chess researches, works and sayings of the English champion and
Shakespearian Editor, and the Diary Chess Extracts of the highly
accomplished author of "The History of Civilization," (in which
reference is made to the relief and enjoyment afforded by chess),
would have interested the chess public fully as much as the
description of Lowenthal's shirt front, Rosenthal's grammar,
Winawer's inodorous and unsavoury cigars, or the fact that the
author had played billiards with M. Grevy, the President of the
French Republic, and that he was in a position to contradict the
statement that Zukertort came over in two ships. There are
many old players and admirers, and perhaps some young ones,
who would have felt both gratified and interested at a brief,
descriptive sketch of de La Bourdonnais and McDonnell, and
their great and never to be forgotten contests; Staunton and St.
Amant's championship match, England v. France, which
occasioned more genuine interest and enthusiasm than any other
chess event of this century, would also have been a welcome and
pleasing addition.
Coming to English players, the absence of the name of the
Rev. G. A. MacDonnell, one of the most accomplished writers,
experts, and masters of the game, cannot be satisfactorily
explained. He is (though rarely practising) full of vigour.
Independently of his skill as a player, he is regarded as a living
institution in chess. For a quarter of a century, with the late
Mr. Boden, and Bird still living he has been one of the foremost
amateurs; as a writer, he has contributed as much to the
amusement and edification of chess readers as any author known. He
always has been, and is still highly popular, with many intensely
so; his geniality is so great, as well as his wit, that his society
is eagerly sought, and always enjoyed. The omission of the name
of such a notable, worthy representative and general favourite,
is alone sufficient to detract from the value of the article to no
inconsiderable extent; if really intended as a trustworthy narrative
and record of the world's Chess Masters.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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