1851 London Tournament

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The FIDE World Chess Championship 1851, officially the 1851 London Tournament, was the first international chess competition, organized by Howard Staunton of England and held at St. George’s Chess Club, London. It featured sixteen of the era’s strongest players from across Europe. Adolf Anderssen of Prussia defeated Marmaduke Wyvill of England in the final to claim victory. The tournament marked the birth of structured international competition in chess.

Not from the 1851 London Tournament.

📷 Chess Celebrities at the late Chess Meeting, Leamington, June 25th 1855,
The Illustrated London News: Unknown artist, ILN Staff (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons

1851 London Tournament, Adolf Anderssen
📷 Frans Peeters from Roosendaal The Netherlands CC BY SA 20 via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Adolf Anderssen

Born: 1818, Breslau, Prussia (modern-day Wrocław, Poland)
Died: 1879, Breslau, Germany

By 1851, Adolf Anderssen was relatively unknown internationally, but his commanding performance in London changed everything. His victories were marked by dazzling tactical fireworks and creative brilliance, helping usher in the Romantic Era of chess. He defeated top players such as Howard Staunton, Lionel Kieseritzky, and Marmaduke Wyvill, displaying a flair for bold attacks and imaginative sacrifices. A mathematics teacher by profession, Anderssen approached chess with a deep understanding of calculation and pattern recognition. His most famous creation, the Immortal Game, played during the tournament period, became an enduring symbol of artistic chess. Anderssen’s dominance established him as the unofficial world champion until Paul Morphy’s rise in 1858, and his influence continued through his later match victories and tournament successes. He was admired for his modesty and gentlemanly conduct, qualities that enhanced his stature.

Key Rival: Marmaduke Wyvill

Born: 1815, Constable Burton Hall, England
Died: 1896, Constable Burton Hall, England

Marmaduke Wyvill, a British MP and respected amateur, was not among the pre-tournament favorites, yet he proved to be the tournament’s greatest surprise. Known for his calm and strategic play, he advanced steadily with victories over Edward Löwe, Hugh Kennedy, and Elijah Williams—each match growing in intensity. In the final, he was defeated by Adolf Anderssen 4–2, but his overall performance earned widespread admiration. Wyvill’s style emphasized sound positional judgment and clear logic, qualities that contrasted with the era’s Romantic brilliancies. Though he rarely competed internationally afterward, he remained an influential figure in British chess journalism and theory. His impressive showing in London firmly established him among the leading players of his generation.

“Wyvill’s chess is like his character: sound, intelligent, and unassuming.” – The Chess Player’s Chronicle, 1851

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: May – July 1851
📍 Location: London, England
✅ Format: Single-elimination tournament with best-of-three, best-of-five, and best-of-seven rounds
⏱️ Time Control: Not standardized, clocks were not yet in use—games were generally adjourned and resumed over days
💰 Prize Fund: Privately sponsored; Anderssen received £183, a gold medal, and a silver cup
📄 Main Sponsors: St. George’s Chess Club, Great Exhibition Committee

The Immortal Game

Although not part of the official tournament, Anderssen’s friendly game against Lionel Kieseritzky became one of the most celebrated in chess history. His spectacular sacrifices—including both rooks and the queen—led to a stunning checkmate that symbolized the Romantic chess era.

Historical and Cultural Context

The 1851 London Tournament was held alongside the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park, a major international showcase of science and culture. Howard Staunton sought to elevate chess to the level of the arts and sciences. The event drew spectators from across Europe and gained attention in major newspapers. Though informal by today’s standards, it laid the foundation for organized world championships. The absence of players from the Americas and Russia underscored the era’s European dominance, but Anderssen’s victory gave chess new international prestige.

Final Standings

RoundMatchResult
1th RoundAdolf Anderssen vs. Lionel Kieseritzky2–0
József Szén vs. Samuel Newham2–0
Bernhard Horwitz vs. Henry Edward Bird2–1
Howard Staunton vs. Alfred Brodie2–0
Elijah Williams vs. Johann Löwenthal2–1
James R. Mucklow vs. E.S. Kennedy2–0
Hugh A. Kennedy vs. Carl Mayet2–0
Marmaduke Wyvill vs. Edward Löwe2–0
QuarterfinalsAdolf Anderssen vs. József Szén4–2
Howard Staunton vs. Bernhard Horwitz4–2
Elijah Williams vs. James R. Mucklow4–0
Marmaduke Wyvill vs. Hugh Alexander Kennedy4–3
SemifinalsAdolf Anderssen vs. Howard Staunton4–1
Marmaduke Wyvill vs. Elijah Williams4–3
FinalAdolf Anderssen vs. Marmaduke Wyvill4–2

1851 London Tournament 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

1851 London Tournament

Adolf Anderssen, Prussia

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1851 London Tournament Sources

Sources for Quotes

General Sources

Photo Credits

📷 Chess Celebrities at the late Chess Meeting, Leamington, June 25th 1855
The Illustrated London News: Unknown artist, ILN Staff (License: Public Domain) via Wikimedia Commons
Date published: July 14, 1855

📷 Adolf Anderssen Frans Peeters from Roosendaal The Netherlands CC BY SA 20 via Wikimedia Commons

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.