English Chess Forum

Dr Tim Harding of Trinity Cpollege Dublin will give a lecture in the Ecclesiastical Room at the Institute of Historical Research (Senate House, Malet Street) on Monday 1 March 2010 5.15 PM

'Home accomplishment or public competition: The dilemma of the Victorian chess queens'

Apparently anyone who is interested in attending should be able to obtain access

wow! Sounds like standing room only ..

Tim Harding, who was my co-author of an openings book, has provided some fascinating material in his monthly Chesscafe column about UK female chess, which in the nineteenth century probably flourished more than it does now, and in particular on Mary Rudge, who was possibly 2100-2200 strength and was probably the strongest woman player in the world pre-Menchik.

To be fair, I think if you played through any of Mrs Rudge's games you would have to question a 2100-2200 rating! But she was definitely the strongest woman player of her time.

John Richards of Bristol wrote an interesting article on her a few years back which I think can be found on the internet with a bit of searching.

......here's John's article:

http://www.johnrichards.pwp.blueyonder. ... yRudge.pdf

Given my shifts at Senate House finish at 5pm, I'll probably drop by.

Amy Wheelwright 1931 Joint British Ladies champion

Does anyone have information on this player or the reason for siting the 1931 BCF Tournament at Worcester?

Many thanks - Ray Collett