1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Paris Match

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The 1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Paris Match was an unofficial title match between Howard Staunton of England and Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant of France, held in Paris at the Cercle des Échecs. Saint-Amant was the reigning top French master, while Staunton had challenged him after a prior defeat earlier that year. Staunton’s victory in this rematch decisively shifted international chess dominance from France to England.

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.

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

1843 Staunton – Saint Amant Games

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Game 21

1843 Staunton – 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.