Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2005 13:13:34 GMT
Excerpt from article for 'Sussex Chess' by Brian Denman
Hastings.....
'In 1848 a local Hastings newspaper started the serialisation of the moves
of a consultation game between two gentlemen from Hastings and two gentlemen
from St Leonards. The game was eventually won by the Hastings
representatives. The first chess club in the town was formed in about 1852
at the Hastings Athenaeum, though it only seems to have lasted for about a
year. The present chess club in Hastings ws formed in 1882 and in its first
few years was of a roughly average size for the period. In 1887, however,
the club appointed as its secretary 23 year old Herbert Dobell, who was to
play a massive part in the club's success. The club was helped by J.H.
Blackburne's moving to the town in 1893 and in 1895 it organised the highly
successful international congress, which was won by Harry Pillsbury. At the
end of the century the club embarked on the first of its famous tours, which
eventually took in several towns in Europe. A tour to America was even
contemplated, though never realised. In 1919 the club organised the Victory
Congress, which was won by Jose Raul Capablanca and this was followed by
regular Christmas congresses. Many well-known players have been members of
the club, but the two who are perhaps the most famous are Vera Menchik and
Stuart Conquest.'
Hastings.....
'In 1848 a local Hastings newspaper started the serialisation of the moves
of a consultation game between two gentlemen from Hastings and two gentlemen
from St Leonards. The game was eventually won by the Hastings
representatives. The first chess club in the town was formed in about 1852
at the Hastings Athenaeum, though it only seems to have lasted for about a
year. The present chess club in Hastings ws formed in 1882 and in its first
few years was of a roughly average size for the period. In 1887, however,
the club appointed as its secretary 23 year old Herbert Dobell, who was to
play a massive part in the club's success. The club was helped by J.H.
Blackburne's moving to the town in 1893 and in 1895 it organised the highly
successful international congress, which was won by Harry Pillsbury. At the
end of the century the club embarked on the first of its famous tours, which
eventually took in several towns in Europe. A tour to America was even
contemplated, though never realised. In 1919 the club organised the Victory
Congress, which was won by Jose Raul Capablanca and this was followed by
regular Christmas congresses. Many well-known players have been members of
the club, but the two who are perhaps the most famous are Vera Menchik and
Stuart Conquest.'