British Chess Problem Association, 1879

The initial announcement (April, 1879) stated that the tourney would be conducted with the same rules as before, presumably refering to the first B. C. P. A. tourney. As the tourney was open only to members, the rules that the Association formulated (see Chess Player's Chronicle, 2/16 (Apr., 1878), p. 85-86) are relevant: they include the No competitor can take two prizes. rule.

The first announcement also noted that the details of the prizes had not yet been settled, but the additional details printed in July mention three prizes for sets, three prizes for single best problems in #2, #3 and #4 moves, as well as an additional prize for the overall best problem, donated by Prof. Tomlinson. One additional prize was awarded. It does not appear to have been announced: it was donated by the Editor of Huddersfield College Magazine.

35 problems (in sets or single) were received: only two were found to be faulty. Of the twelve sets received, five were disqualified for unsoundness and one for having a precursor.

Problems that passed a preliminary examinations were published for public examination. Unfortunately, no statement appear to have been published as to where this publication for public examination took place, and what problems, if not all, were so published.

The initial rewards, published in Chess Player's Chronicle (as well as other sources) gave the first prize to the set Sobraon but as its #4 was later found to be faulty, the set was disqualified.

The set Wansbeck by J. Crake was also disqualified from the set prizes because the judges found a striking identity of idea as regards the main theme between its two-mover and the one in Artis est celare artem (also by Crake) in the Westminster Papers Lowenthal Tourney No. 1 . Mr Crake disagreed, and published his disagreement in Brief, 1880-04-09, p. 368, where both problems were included. According to Huddersfield College Magazine v. 8, p. 222, he withdrew from the B.C.P.A.


The special prize for best problem is somewhat of a conundrum. It was awarded to C. Callander who also was awarded the prize for the best #4, which appears to go against the rule of no competitor can receive more than one prize. As the prize was included in the judge's report, there seems to be little room for doubt that it was an official prize, and as that rule is also cited in the report as a reason for not giving the 'best #3' prize to the #3-mover of Brain Sauce the rule appears to be valid, and does not appear to have been modified. A possibility might be that the report was wrong to include it, but in that case both of the donated special prizes must probably be regarded as unofficial.