Joseph Henry Blackburne, 1989

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January 13 1989

Leicester Mercury, Leicester, Leicestershire, England, Friday, January 13, 1989

Chess
The Leicester Mercury's link with chess is stronger than may be realized.
Forget the moderns—chess greats of an earlier day, England's J. H. Blackburne.
One of the game's Johnnie-come-latelys, Joseph Henry Blackburne, born 1841, was 19 before he learned to play, but British champion by 1868. He was that good.
The local connection was Blackburne's two simultaneous displays in the town, the first in 1883, the second in 1910.
Of the latter, Don Gould, in his Chess in Leicester, 1860-1960, writes: “Blackburne, now described as 'the veteran chess master,' was at the King's Restaurant, on October 12, 1910, to play 21 Leicestershire players.
He lost to Dr. Mason, beat 10 and drew 10.

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