1843 Staunton – Saint-Amant Paris Match

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The 1843 Staunton vs. Saint-Amant Paris Match was an unofficial title match between England’s Howard Staunton and France’s Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, played at the Cercle des Échecs in Paris. After losing a close match in London earlier that year, Staunton earned a decisive rematch victory in Paris—shifting international chess dominance from France to England and strengthening the idea of organized match play at the highest level.

1843 Staunton - Saint Amant Paris Match, Howard Staunton vs. Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant

The Famous Chess Match between Howard Staunton and Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, 16 December 1843
Jean-Henri Marlet: Public domain (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

1843 Staunton - Saint-Amant Paris Match, Howard Staunton, Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant
Unknown artist See page for author License Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Howard Staunton

Born: April 1810, England
Died: June 22, 1874, London, England

At the time of the 1843 match, Howard Staunton was emerging as England’s leading player and a prominent chess promoter. Known for his meticulous preparation, strategic depth, and emphasis on positional play, Staunton approached the match against Saint-Amant with deliberate psychological and physical readiness. He studied his opponent’s weaknesses and relied on a robust, classical style that contrasted with the romantic flair popular at the time. His emphasis on endgame strength and long-term planning proved decisive. Staunton’s win helped to formalize the concept of international matches and cemented his reputation not only as a player but also as an organizer and chess journalist. He later played a pivotal role in standardizing rules and organizing the first international tournament in 1851. His influence extended beyond the board, and his name lives on in the Staunton chess set, still the standard today.

«A battle of minds and preparation is won long before the first move is played.» – Howard Staunton

Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, France
Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint Amant
Cleveland Public Library Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Opponent: Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant

Born: September 12, 1800, Bordeaux, France
Died: October 29, 1872, Algiers, Algeria

Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant was the strongest French player of his generation following La Bourdonnais’ death. An editor of Le Palamède and a passionate promoter of the game, Saint-Amant played an elegant, aggressive, and tactically rich brand of romantic chess. In early 1843, he had narrowly defeated Staunton in London (3–2), establishing himself as the world’s leading player and setting the stage for the high-profile rematch in Paris. Despite his skill and creativity, Saint-Amant lacked Staunton’s deep positional focus and struggled with consistency across long match formats. His loss marked the decline of France’s dominance in chess and underscored the growing influence of structured, strategic play. After the match, he remained influential in chess and journalism but never again competed at the same level.

«A victory here would prove France remains the heart of chess.» – Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant

Match Overview

Match Dates: November 14 – December 20, 1843
Location: Paris, France
Format: First to 11 wins (draws not counted)
Time Control: No standardized control; games often lasted several hours or were adjourned
Prize Fund: £200 total (each player contributed £100; winner-takes-all)
Main Sponsors: Cercle des Échecs (Paris Chess Club)

Historical and Cultural Context

The 1843 match symbolized the passing of the chess torch from France to England. For decades, France had been the intellectual heart of chess, but Staunton’s win ended this era. The venue, Cercle des Échecs, drew spectators and attention from around Europe. The rivalry played out not just on the board but in the press, particularly through Le Palamède and The Chess Player’s Chronicle. Staunton’s victory helped define modern match play and reflected a broader cultural shift toward systematic preparation and rational strategy. The 1843 Staunton – Saint-Amant match remains a landmark in chess history and a clear precursor to later World Chess Championship traditions.

Staunton - Saint-Amant Match 1843, World Chess Championship 1843, Howard Staunton (ENG), Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, (FRA)

1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

Game 17

Game 18

Game 19

Game 20

Game 21

1843 Staunton vs. Saint-Amant

Howard Staunton, England

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1843 Staunton – Saint-Amant Paris Match Sources

Sources for Quotes

General Sources

Photo Source

The Famous Chess Match between Howard Staunton and Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, 16 December 1843
Jean-Henri Marlet: Public domain (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Date painted: between circa 1843 and circa 1845

Portrait of Howard Staunton, circa 1860
Unknown artist: See page for author (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Date taken: circa 1860

Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant
Cleveland Public Library: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Image contributed by Cleveland Public Library via the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA)
Date of image: unknown (public domain in the United States)

Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.