NCCU HISTORY
Part 1 1871 -
1901 How it all began
The organisation of county chess in Lancashire took
longer than in Yorkshire or Cheshire, possibly because of the rivalry between
Manchester and Liverpool. However the battles between Lancashire and Yorkshire
teams, begun in 1871, had continued in 1883, 1884, 1887, 1889 and 1890. 1884 had
been a mammoth production of 80 boards and in 1887 there were 50. In 1887 the
players wore White and Red roses and timekeepers were provided by Fattorini and
sons, the time limit being 20 moves an hour. In 1883, at a Liverpool v.
Manchester match the Rev. John Owen had put forward the idea of a northern chess
association. but the Lancashire County Association was to come first, and when
it did, in 1897, the British Chess Magazine commentated that “the formation of
an association for Lancashire will enable the county to appoint accredited
representatives to take part in any effort to establish a Northern Union.” The
BCM also commented “it is understood that the first duty of the executive will
be to send a challenge to the Yorkshire Chess Association”. In 1898 the match
duly took place, Lancashire winning 20-15. At the dinner after the match Amos
Burn promised to assist in any steps taken to found a Northern Chess Union. Both
Counties were agreed that such a Union be formed. The inaugural meeting of the
Northern Counties Chess Union took place at the rooms of the North Manchester
Chess Club on January 28th 1899. Mr. A. E. Moore (North Manchester) was
appointed Chairman and Mr. I. M. Brown (Leeds) was appointed Secretary. The 1900
Lancashire Chess Association Annual Meeting voted to enter the “Northern
Counties Union Challenge Trophy”, donated by Mr. A. E. Moore.
Mr. A. E.
Moore of North Manchester
President
Northern Counties Chess Union
1899 - 1906
To see trophy click HERE
The competition
for the trophy began with a Lancashire v. Cheshire match in 1901. After 4 hours
play the unfinished games were adjudicated by Dr. Lasker and a powerful
Lancashire team had won 17 games, drawn two and lost only three. The 1901
Lancashire v. Yorkshire match was reported in the BCM as “the tenth meeting of
the counties but the first under Northern Union rules”. Lancashire won
16.5-8.5 and Mr. A. E. Moore presented the trophy to the winners. He hoped that
the trophy would do something to stimulate an interest in Chess in the North of
England. Dr. Lasker, who had again done the adjudications, wished prosperity to
the Northern Counties Chess Union.
The
first NCCU county match
(Extract from ‘The Cheshire Hundred’ by Richard Furness)
The early years of the twentieth century saw the first competitive
county matches organised by the new Northern Chess Union. Usually Cheshire,
Cumberland, Lancashire and Yorkshire competed, there being two semi-finals and a
final. The matches were well
reported in the British Chess Magazine.
In the 1900-01 semi-final Cheshire met Lancashire "at the rooms of
the North Manchester Chess Club, Dyson's Restaurant, Church Street, Manchester
on Saturday 26th January 1901." Since Cumberland had been unable to raise a
team to play Yorkshire the week before, this was the first county match
organised by the Northern Union.
"By agreement between the officials of the two counties, the teams
were to consist of 20 players and 5 reserves. The number of games actually
scored was 21. Play commenced at 3.40 and ceased at 7.40, after which both teams
had tea together. The arrangements made by the North Manchester Club were of the
usual elaborate and complete description and the match attracted a large number
of spectators, who followed the varying fortunes of the games with the keenest
interest. Play took place in the spacious dining room of the restaurant, which
has already been the scene of important county contests, and which bids fair to
become identified with the royal game in the North.
One pleasing feature was the use at most boards of the new
"Congress" chess clocks, the handsome cases and large white dials of
which gave quite a scientific air to the tables. The clocks were also
appreciated by the players on account of their accuracy, subdued ticking, and
the noiselessness with which the starting and stopping was effected. Dr Lasker
was amongst the spectators, evidently taking an interest generally in the games,
and particularly watching with a fatherly eye several of the players with whom
he has already come in contact during his short connection with the North
Manchester Club. When the scoring sheet was posted it was at once seen that the
Cheshire team had a stiff fight before them; the Lancashire team contained the
names of many prominent players for the county.
Somewhat to the general surprise, the Lancashire
captain (Mr Amos Burn) elected to play second board, placing the Lancashire
champion, Dr JH Shaw, of Liverpool, at the head of the team, a graceful
compliment to the Doctor's position as champion of the county, and a very useful
and desirable precedent for future matches. The game at No 1 board between the
two champions (Mr Rhodes Marriott and Dr Shaw) was still in progress when the
time expired, but Dr Lasker (who at the request of the captains acted as
adjudicator) had no difficulty in awarding a win for the Lancashire
representative. The game at No 2 board between Mr Amos Burn and Mr EA Greig
attracted a great deal of attention, especially when it was found that the
Cheshire representative was holding his own against the famous player and making
a really good fight; just before the close of play, however, Mr Burn was able to
obtain a definite winning advantage, and scored the game for his county. After
Dr Lasker had concluded his adjudications on the four games left unfinished, the
final score was announced as follows:
Score from the first NCCU County Match
“Lancashire 17 wins, Cheshire 3 wins, draws 2.”
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