1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Paris Match
November 14 – December 20 | ⭐Howard Staunton (England)
Reigning Champion: Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant
Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, a leading French chess master and editor of Le Palamède, held the title of France’s strongest player following the passing of Louis-Charles Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1840. Renowned for his endurance in long matches and his vibrant playing style, Saint-Amant became a symbol of French dominance in chess during the early 19th century. His victory over Staunton in a short 1843 match in London set the stage for this decisive encounter in Paris.
Challenger: Howard Staunton
Howard Staunton, widely regarded as England’s strongest player and the editor of Chess Player’s Chronicle, entered the 1843 championship with high hopes and a reputation for analytical precision and positional mastery. His 1843 loss to Saint-Amant in a five-game match did not deter him; instead, it galvanized his preparation for the longer contest in Paris, where his endurance, tactical creativity, and strategic innovations would be tested.
Match Overview
The Staunton-Saint-Amant match of 1843 marked a critical moment in chess history, symbolizing the rivalry between the English and French chess schools. Played in the renowned Cercle des Échecs in Paris, this match drew widespread attention across Europe, with spectators packing the room to witness the games and newspapers publishing extensive commentary.
Format: The first player to win eleven games would claim victory, with drawn games not counting toward the score.
Stakes: £200 (equivalent to approximately 2,500 francs), with each player contributing £100.
Result: Howard Staunton emerged victorious with a final score of 11 wins to Saint-Amant’s 6, solidifying his position as the strongest player of the era.
Earlier Encounters
Saint-Amant and Staunton faced each other in a short five-game match earlier in 1843, held in London, where Saint-Amant claimed victory with 3 wins to Staunton’s 2. This initial contest set the stage for their more intense rematch in Paris later that year.
Quotes and Insights
«The great match symbolized the rivalry between England and France in intellect and culture.» (Chess Player’s Chronicle)
Key Games and Highlights
Staunton’s positional strategy overwhelmed Saint-Amant’s aggressive opening. One game lasted over nine hours, while the final game stretched to an astonishing 14 hours. In this grueling decider, Staunton gradually dismantled Saint-Amant’s position, showcasing his superior endurance and mastery in the endgame to secure victory.
For a detailed breakdown of all games and additional context, see the complete report here, thoroughly researched by Nick Pope.
Historical and Cultural Context
The 1843 Staunton-Saint-Amant match was not only a contest of chess skill but also a reflection of the cultural and nationalistic tensions of the time. It represented the growing popularity of chess as an intellectual pursuit across Europe and highlighted the emergence of formalized championship matches. Staunton’s victory bolstered the status of English chess, paving the way for further developments in chess organization and theory.
Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant – Howard Staunton 6 – 11 (4 draws)
1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Games
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
Game 7
Game 8
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Game 10
Game 11
Game 12
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Game 14
Game 15
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Game 17
Game 18
Game 19
Game 20
Game 21
1843 Staunton – Saint Amant
Howard Staunton
1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Paris Match | Games
Sources for Quotes
Le Palamède (1843).
Sources
All sources, image credits, and content attributions are available on the main World Chess Champions page.