Amateur Chess Magazine (incomplete)
Amateur Chess Magazine was issued between 1872 and 1874. Available
on-line scans only cover the period July-November, 1872; those are
the issues covered by this page.
In each issue the editor offered prizes for chess problems,
solutions to problems, getting new members, ladies' contributions,
etc. While not tourneys in the usual format, they may nevertheless
be cited as such.
The following prizes were directly related to chess compositions (boldface indicates that the prize was awarded):
1. Best set of three original problems
2. Best set of two original problems
3. Best self-mate
10. Best set of three original problems
17. Best set of three original problems
21. Best set of six original problems
22. Best set of three original problems
23. Best end game
28. Best set of six original chess problems
29. Best set of three original chess problems
30. Best original self-mate
31. Best original end game
32. Best original problem in 1 move
34. Best problem composer in v. 1.
36. Best set of six original chess problems.
37. Best set of three original chess problems.
38. Best problem in half-a-move.
The following awards were given:
1. F. C. Collins
2. H. E. Heather
3. F. W. Lord
17. F. C. Collins
22. W. C. Cotton
23. R. W. Johnson.
The awards do not identify the relevant problems or end-games, and
any published problems (F. C. Collins and W. C. Cotton only; none of
the published problems by F. W. Lord is a self-mate) refer to
any awards.
In the October issue, a short notice appears that Mr. Collins' problems
will appear next month
, and in November three retractor problems
appear under his name and the epigraph: Second thoughts are best.
(See Amateur Chess Magazine, Nov. 1872, p. 62.)
Unfortunately it is not stated positively that they were awarded a
prize.
A prize that is somewhat related to chess problems was also offered:
24. most ridiculous chess motto
but, again, an award would have been expected in the December issue,
which, if it was published, has not been preserved.
In addition to these, prizes 9, 15, and 19 were for
the best contribution by a lady. While this covers chess problems,
it may also cover solutions and other material. Only one was awarded:
9. Best contribution by a lady
which was won by M. Rudge. As problems 17, 23 and 28 are by her, it is
possible that this award was given for any of these problems, but
it is not said so explicitly.
As none of the awards from Amateur Chess Magazine publish or refer to the
problems that were given for, or clearly plan to do so, they
can not really be regarded as full problem tourneys.
Find and use the remaining volumes/issues (British Library only?)