London, England; 30 September 1861—18 November 1861
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 Wins
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Paulsen ½ 0 1 ½ 1 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ 1 ½ ½ 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 0 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 7
Kolisch ½ 1 0 ½ 0 0 ½ ½ ½ ½ 0 ½ ½ 0 ½ 0 ½ 1 1 1 ½ 1 ½ 0 ½ 1 ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ 6*
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Format: The winner of the first nine games, draws not counting, is the victor.
Time Control: 24 moves every 2½ hours.
Purse: London Chess Club offered "a handsome prize" to the winner.
* Kolisch proposed a drawn match which Paulsen accepted.
Introduction
"Our readers will be much gratified to learn that a match has just been arranged by the ever-to-be-admired London Chess Club, between Mr Paulsen and Mr Kolisch. They will contend for the first nine games, and have each agreed to a time limitation of twenty-four moves in two hours and a half. No doubt this match will prove one of immense interest, for both players are exceedingly (we had almost said amusingly) deliberate; and if Kolisch has more quickness of invention and activity of perception, Paulsen has more patient endurance, and much more learning. The match in question is to commence next Monday."(1)
"London Chess Club.—Chess players will be gratified to learn that a match has been arranged at this Club between Messrs. Paulsen and Kolisch. The Committee of the London Club, ever foremost in promoting the interests of Chess, has, with its usual spirit and liberality, offered a handsome prize to the winner. The conditions of the match are, that the player who first scores nine games will be declared victor. In accordance with the wishes of the members, the time will be limited. This arrangement—which worked so admirably in the late match between Anderssen and Kolish—is highly satisfactory. The Committee yielded to Mr. Kolisch's desire, and altered the time to two hours and a half, instead of two hours. A match between Kolisch and Paulsen is one in which every Chess Amateur will feel great interest, and the games, which are about to be contested by gentlemen of such eminent ability, will be productive of most excellent, highly interesting, and instructive play. The first game will be played on Monday (to-morrow), at the Rooms of the London Chess Club. We shall duly report progress in our next."(2)
"We have the pleasure in announcing that a match is made up between these two distinguished players, to be played at the London Chess Club, Cornhill, commencing Monday next. One game is to be played daily, and the warrior who first scores nine games to be declared conqueror. The time is, very properly, to be limited. We believe twenty-five double moves, that is moves on each side, to be complete in two hours and a half. Each player thus gets some six minutes for each move, the time being computed by a sand-glass; and the time gained on the average carried to credit, to be expended at pleasure. Thus a game of forty moves on each side must not exceed in playing eight hours. It is evident that each competitor gains an hour, at least, in the opening, to be used as required."(3)
"A match has been made between these two distinguished players, to be played at the London Chess Club. One game is to be played daily, and the gentleman who first scores nine games to be declared conqueror. The time is to be limited; 25 double moves—that is, moves on each side—to be complete in two hours and a half. Each player will thus get some six minutes for each move, the time limit being computed by a sand glass; and the time gained on the average carried to credit, to be expended at pleasure. Thus a game of 40 moves on each side must not exceed in playing eight hours."(4)
Conclusion
"This match has at length been brought to a conclusion, both parties consenting to a draw. This was first proposed by Mr. Kolisch, on Thursday, the 14th inst., in the event of the next three games being drawn. On Monday, when the play was resumed, the game was drawn one, and Mr. Kolisch proposed that the match should be terminated at once; this was consented to by Mr. Paulsen; so that the result stands—Mr. Paulsen, seven; Mr. Kolisch, six; drawn eighteen."(5)
"Termination of the Chess Match Between Messrs. Paulsen and Kolisch.—this protracted contest, which has now lasted, without cessation of play, for nearly six weeks, was brought to an unexpected and a not very satisfactory conclusion on Monday last. The combatants met on that day, and, after making another drawn game, they mutually agreed that, as the struggle appeared to be interminable, they would call it a drawn battle. The score at the end gave: Paulsen, 7; Kolisch, 6; drawn, 17 [sic]."(6)
"This protracted struggle has come to an untimely and unsatisfactory end at last. It is over, but unfinished, the combatants having finally agreed to draw the match. Disappointing as such a conclusion is to all chess-players, it is not at all to be wondered at when the whole of the circumstances are considered. The stakes were very small in proportion to the laboriousness of the contest, and the games so desperately hard-fought, that, after eight, ten, or even twelve hours' play, it often happened that neither tactician had made the last impression upon the hyper-cautiously conducted movements of his adversary. Fatigued, therefore, with the length of the battle, and having each discovered that the had good need to beware of the other other's generalship, the two rivals arranged an armistice. The last score gives to Mr Paulsen, 7, Mr Kolish 6, and no less than 18 drawn games—a "balance of power" which we do not remember to have seen equalled before. To Mr Kolisch, of course, the above termination of the match is more advantageous than it is to Mr Paulsen, as the odds were in favour of the latter, who had only two more games to win. We believe, however, that Mr Paulsen's stay is limited, as he intends spending Christmas with his relations in Germany, and has previously to pay his promised visit to the chess circles of Manchester."(7)
Sources
(1) London Field, 1861.09.28 (White Collection Scrapbook)
(2) London Era, 1861.09.29, p14
(3) Bell's Life in London, 1861.09.29, p3
(4) Liverpool Mercury, 1891.10.01, p3
(5) London Dial, 1861.11.22, p124
(6) Illustrated London News, 1861.11.23, p516
(7) London Field, 1861.11.23 (White Collection Scrapbook)
Kibitzing
