Howard Staunton was regarded as one of the finest chess players between the period of 1843 and 1851. He, alongside John Jacques and Nathaniel Cooke, created the Staunton chess pieces we know today. Staunton was deemed one of the strongest chess players after his victory in France over Pierre Saint-Amant in 1843. He did, however, go onto refuse a match against the well known Paul Morphy. Staunton was also heavily involved in the arrangement of the first international chess tournament in 1851. The aim was to bring the spotlight onto chess and there was no better place than London to host this.
- Staunton’s Early Life
- Staunton Moving to Chess
- Staunton Chess Pieces
- Arrangements of International Tournaments
- Staunton – Morphy Controversy
- Staunton’s Later Work
- Staunton – Shakespearean Work
Staunton’s Early Life
Staunton’s initial achievements are little known; his official name, parents, and his early interests are still a mystery. His father was long thought to be the fifth earl of Carlisle, but Staunton did not have a pleasant upbringing. Staunton’s youth was predominantly spent in Oxford, until the age of 26 when he moved to London to take up an interest in the game of chess.
Staunton Moving to Chess
After moving to London, Staunton practised the game with many famous names; William Evans was one of these chess players, renowned for the famous chess opening Evan’s Gambit. By 1840, Staunton had played enough to improve his game and was regarded as a very good player. Later that year, he went on to win against German chess master in Popert. He also became an editor in various papers, starting with ‘New Court Gazette’, followed by ‘British Miscellany’ and later, the ‘Chess Players Chronicle’ until the 1850’s.
In 1843, Staunton faced up against John Cochrane and came out superior. He then played against Pierre Saint-Amant in a short game in London which he lost. The Frenchman was regarded as one of the best in his country and Staunton went onto play the game that started his legacy as a great. The game was played in Paris, France in Café de la Régence. He brought along a couple assistants but built an immense lead, starting 7-0. The game ended 13-8 in favour of Howard Staunton and the match was played for a stake of £100, the value is now equivalent to £70 000.
Saint-Amant and Staunton were due to face each other again in a third and final game. However, due to the troubles related to Staunton’s ill health, this match had to be postponed until further notice. Sadly, the game never took place and Staunton had the last victory. The intended date for this match to take place was in 1844.
In 1845, Staunton featured in Nathaniel Cooke’s paper, Illustrated London News. This article became highly popular amongst chess players. Staunton edited his column up until his death, writing many famous posts. This included the on-board play, upcoming talents and general news around the game of chess. A grand total of 1400 articles were written by himself, featured in the Illustrated London News.
In 1847 Staunton recorded his work of opening moves and endgame completions in his print, ‘The Chess Player’s Handbook’. The manual was incredibly popular and contained various pages of analysis that would benefit upcoming talents.
Staunton Chess Pieces
We famously associate the name Staunton with high quality weighted chess pieces we see in tournaments today. The standardised sets include the crowned King, a Queen with a Coronet, Bishop with a Mitre, the Knight being the head of a stallion, the Rook as a Castle and the pawn having a small ball. These standards are now accepted universally by chess governing body FIDE and were designed by Nathaniel Cooke. The chess pieces were made by famous turner, John Jacques, who went onto produce 500 pieces which were individually signed and endorsed by Staunton at the time. Staunton spoke highly of these chess pieces both in his publications but also at various chess tournaments. Furthermore, he was extremely critical of other designs, strongly denouncing these in favour of the Staunton sets.
Arrangements of International Tournaments
The first international tournament for chess was hosted in London, this was primarily organised by Staunton himself. The tournament was hosted in the Great Exhibition. He did participate in the tournament but his play was rather disappointing; he lost in the second round to Adolf Anderssen, who later went onto win the tournament. The information regarding the arrangements of the tournament and how the event took place was later published in 1852 by Staunton in the book called ‘The Chess Tournament’.
Staunton – Morphy Controversy
The New Orleans chess club invited Mr Staunton to play against Paul Morphy, who had recently won a number of chess games and was titled the champion of the first American chess congress. Staunton sadly refused this offer and his reasoning behind the rejection was primarily due to a lack of practise and his focus on other matters.
Staunton wrote the following in the ‘Illustrated London News’:
“I had been compelled, by laborious literary occupation, to abandon the practice of chess, beyond the indulgence of an occasional game… If Mr. Morphy – for whose skill we entertain the liveliest admiration – be desirous to win his spurs among the chess chivalry of Europe, he must take advantage of his purposed visit next year; he will then meet in this country, in France, in Germany and in Russia, many champions … ready to test and do honor to his prowess”
Morphy did go onto play various games in Europe as a result of this letter, this may have been due to the vast number of chess players situated in this region. However, some also interpret this as a reason for Morphy to get a chance to play Staunton himself.
In 1858, a much wiser and well practised Paul Morphy arrived in England requesting for a match against Staunton. Initially this challenge was declined by Mr Staunton but after much persistence from Morphy, an agreement was reached where Staunton would manage his additional Shakespearean work whilst practising for a game against Morphy. The agreement meant that Staunton would get enough time to regain some of his practice before going ahead. Staunton and Morphy both met at a social event in Birmingham and tense discussion for a match took place. A date in November was scheduled by the two. However, Morphy had written an open letter relating to the difficulties he had faced in attaining this match up with Staunton. Early October lead to the cancellation of this proposed match up. This time, Staunton clarifying his reasons for the cancellation. These reasons were likely due to financial constraints where Staunton was bound up by obligations regarding his Shakespearean work.
Staunton’s Later Work
Staunton continued to edit his column in the ‘Illustrated London News’, publishing work around chess. This also involved many plays of chess by Paul Morphy. It seems as though Staunton appreciated the way the game was played by Paul Morphy and him writing these articles shows he was a distant admirer. These moves were all published in his new handbook the ‘Chess Praxis’.
Staunton’s later life involved working on famous poet and playwriter, William Shakespeare. This involved reproductions ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ in 1864. He also wrote articles on the ‘Unsuspected corruptions of Shakespeare’s text’ leading up to his death. Staunton’s work was highly regarded, however due to heart disease, he died writing at his desk. He was also in the middle of writing his last chess book, ‘Chess: theory and practice’ which was later published in commemoration to Staunton’s work with Chess.
Staunton’s grave, which was previously ill-maintained and neglected, now has an erected gravestone sitting at the head of the grave featuring a stallion knight piece in Kensal Green Cemetery, London.
Staunton – Shakespearean Work
In 1847, Staunton also began his career in conjunction with chess, in becoming a Shakespearean scholar. Howard Staunton worked on many publications alongside chess. This involved a contract given to Staunton between the mid 1850’s where some of William Shakespeare’s text was edited and later appeared in 1857.
Images courtesy of Free-Images.com
