Chess in 1869
by Bill Wall
In 1869, the first documented proposal for tie-breaks was propsosed by Zborzek of Prague.
In 1869, the San Francisco Mercantile Library advertised that chess, reading and lounging were the correct thing to do at the comfortable rooms of the library during the cold season.
In 1869, George Mackenzie won first prize in the Grand Tournament at the Europa Chess Rooms in New York. He won $33 after winning 44 games and losing 6. James Mason took second prize and won $29. The tournament lasted over 3 months. (source: New York Times, Jul 22, 1869 and Aug 3, 1869)
In 1869, Steinitz tutored chess at Cambridge and one of his students was Winston Churchill's father, Lord Randolph Churchill (1849-1895).
In 1869, Hamburg 1869 was won by Adolf Anderssen
In 1869, Barmen 1869 was won by Adolf Anderssen.
In January 1869, the longest master tourney was held in New York. There were 48 players who faced each other twice, making it 94 rounds. Mackenzie won (+82 -8).
In March 1869, the last issue of Staunton's, THE CHESS WORLD, was published.
On April 30, 1869, the Oxford University Chess Club was founded. Rev C.E. Ranken was chosen as its first president.
On July 24, 1869, the 2nd North German Federation was held, won by Adolf Anderssen.
In September 1869, the Melbourne Chess Club defeated the Adelaide Chess Club in a telegraphic match (+5-1=1).
On November 28, 1869, Johan Gustaf Schultz died in Stockholm. He was a Swedish chess writer. He was born in 1839.
In December 1869, T. E. Brenzinger of Brooklyn won his correspondence chess game against his brother, Dr. Karl Brenzinger, of Pforzheim, Germany. The correspondence game started in 1859. (source: New York Times, Dec 17, 1869)