Concluding Address and Errata

With the following emendatory appendix I would like to have added an Index of the names of all the Chess players from Adali (1), Al Suli and Philidor to Zukertort, as well of distinguished men, Emperors, Khalifs, Kings, Queens, Popes, Prelates and Divines commemorated as Chess players or identified with Chess incidents and anecdotes, but space precludes.

Considered indeed merely in the light of Notes and References to Chess; this work will, I hope, be found to contain much of interest in a small compass.

So far as I know it is the first attempt made to place on record briefly, the conclusions arrived at in greater and more elaborate works, and should it prove acceptable will encourage further and more exhaustive efforts.

To admirers and friends of the game who will mainly constitute the readers of this humble offering I need only say that if it affords them amusement or enlightenment, and should tend in any way to contribute to the advantage of chivalrous and enjoyable Chess, and assist in arousing a little more of the genuine emulation among leading exponents of former years, such a result will be deemed a most gratifying reward.

It is believed on good grounds that harmony and disinterested organization alone are necessary to restore British representative Chess to something more like the position it occupied in 1851 and 1862. As already observed £250 or £300 a year for the great metropolis has been found sufficient on a moderate basis to support first class Chess competition, fairly reciprocate foreign hospitality and prizes which have come to us, and at the same time provide International gatherings and tournaments on a scale equal to those at Bradford in 1888, and Manchester in 1890, which were perfectly satisfactory. Since 1889 the Chess subscription income for first class Chess has entirely vanished, and the Fifty Guinea tournament of that year was at the expense of a single individual, Capt. A. S. Beaumont. In like manner the whole brunt of the 1885 Hereford Tournament had previously been borne by Mr. Charles Anthony, promoter of the University Contests, 1873.

It was suggested in the Jubilee Year of Her Majesty, in 1887, that an income of £500 a year would be ample to fulfil all necessary engagements, give a little encouragement, and impetus to the working men's Chess Clubs, and render any unreasonable appeals to the score or so of generous amateurs who have hitherto mainly supported Chess, as unnecessary as it is undesirable. Let us hope that the design so near accomplishment then may be consummated now, and that first class Chess may experience some revival.

Page xix, line 8, denominating should be “dominating.”

Page 21, line 29, Lewise should be “Lewis.”

Page 26, (last line but one), aswu should be “aswa.”

Page 27, line 15, 1611-1491 should be “1571-1451.”

Page 28, line 19, Farej should be “Faraj.”

Page 54, (Note line 16), delutable should be “debatable.”

Page 120, line 9, series should be “scores.”

Page 123, line 22, addition should be “additional.”

Page 129, line 7, Otter should be “Offa.”

Page 134, line 10, natte should be “hatte.”