Chess History And Reminiscences
history of the monastery of Ramsey, composed probably about the
time of Henry I, where we are told, that Bishop Etheric coming
one night at a late hour on urgent business to King Canute,
found the monarch and his courtiers amusing themselves at the
games of dice and chess.
In the year 1157 the Kingdom of Denmark was divided between three
Monarchs: Svend, Valdemar, and Canute the Fifth. This took place
after many years of contest, between Svend on the one hand, and
Valdemar and Canute on the other. Each King was to rule over a
third of the realm, and each swore before the altar to preserve
the contract inviolate. But it did not last long. Canute asked his
brother monarchs to spend a few days of festivity with him at
Roskilde. Svend came with a crowd of soldiers. One evening
Valdemar sat at the chess board where the battle waxed warm.
His adversary was a nobleman, and Canute sat by Valdemar's side
watching the game. All at once, Canute observing some suspicious
consultations between Svend and one of his Captains, and feeling
a presentiment of evil, threw his arms round Valdemar's neck and
kissed him. Why so merry, cousin? asked the latter without
removing his eyes from the chess board. You will soon see, replied
Canute in an apprehensive tone. Just then the armed soldiery of
Svend rushed into the apartment, slew Canute and severely wounded
Valdemar. The last named having strapped his mantle about his arm
to serve for a shield, extinguished the lights, and fought like
a lion. He succeeded in making his escape and is known in history
as the powerful Valdemar the Great.
A century later chess again makes its appearance upon the historic
stage of Denmark. At that time, Eric Plovpenning or Ploughpenny as
he was called, ruled wisely and well over the fierce and war loving
people of that country. In the summer of 1250 he was on his way to
defend the town of Rendsborg against the attack of some German
bands, when he received an invitation from his brother Abel to
visit him in Slesvig. The unsuspecting and open hearted Eric
accepted. After dinner, on the 9th of August, the same day of his
arrival, he retired to a little pleasure house near the water to
enjoy a quiet game of chess with a knight whose name was Henrik
Kerkwerder. As they were playing the black-hearted Abel entered
the room, marched up to the chess table, accompanied by several
of his followers, and began to overwhelm the King with abuse. At
length, the unfortunate Eric was thrown into chains and was basely
murdered that very night.
The American Chess Monthly gives the following anecdote, but does
not state its source.
THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE AND CHESS
Among the anecdotes related of the childhood of the Princess
Charlotte, the daughter of a rascally father, and of an
unfortunate mother, there is a story which we do not remember
to have seen in any periodical devoted to the game. It is
perfectly authentic, and runs thus:
"Being one evening present when a game of chess was playing. The
sudden and triumphant exclamation of checkmate was given. On her
inquiring its meaning, she was informed, it is when the King is
enprise by any particular piece, and cannot move without falling
into the hands of an enemy. `That is indeed a bad situation for
a King,' said the little patriotic stateswoman, but it can never
be the fate of the King of England, so long as he conforms to
the laws, for then he meet with protection from his subjects."
------
We can find nothing in the form of evidence, as to whether
either of our four kings, the Georges, took any interest in chess,
or played at it. Some of our greatest men we hear, looked in
occasionally at the club in St. James St., to witness Philidor's
performances. Chatham, Fox, Pitt, Godolphin, Sunderland,
Rockingham, Wedderburn, St. John, Sir G. Elliott, and many
others, most distinguished and celebrated at the time, have been
specially mentioned as visitors or members. As only those who
know or care for the game subscribe to chess books, the three
hundred principal names on Philidor's edition of 1777, affords a
significant proof of the extraordinary appreciation and support of
the game, throughout the period of his ascendancy, viz., from
1746 to 1795.
Twenty-six ladies of title grace that list, which contains a large
proportion of the nobility, cabinet ministers, men distinguished in
science, and at the bar, and on the bench, and several eminent
divines.
Prince Leopold's support of chess, and encouraging remarks
concerning it at Oxford, in Scotland and at the Birkbeck, had
much to do with the taste for the game which sprung up among
the humbler working classes, and which happily has been
continuously though steadily progressing.
One of our most genial and reliable chess editors has recently
informed us, on very high authority, that even our Most Gracious
Majesty Queen Victoria, has at times shewn an appreciation of
chess.
Three years after the commencement of her reign the first
County Chess Association, was formed in Yorkshire. There were
at this time but twelve chess clubs in this country. The year
1849 signalised the first Chess Tournament found on record, it
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