Howard Staunton
Learn about Howard Staunton (1810–1874), the influential English chess master, author, organizer, and Shakespearean scholar. This article explores his life, contributions to chess (including the Staunton chess set), his writings, controversies, and enduring legacy—along with some of his memorable statements.
Introduction
Howard Staunton (April 1810 – June 22, 1874) was a towering figure in 19th-century chess. He is widely regarded as the leading chess player in the world during the 1840s, even though the title of “world champion” was not formalized in his time.
Staunton's influence extended far beyond making moves on the board. He organized the first international chess tournament (in London, 1851), authored foundational chess literature, and promoted a standard chess set design (the Staunton pattern) that remains ubiquitous in tournament play.
In addition, he was a serious student of Shakespeare and devoted a significant part of his later life to literary scholarship.
This article will trace his early life, competitive rise, literary endeavors, controversies, and lasting legacy, and will also present some of his more famous remarks.
Early Life and Uncertain Origins
The details of Staunton’s early life are somewhat obscure. Official records of his birth or baptism have never been found.
In census records (1861 and 1871), he claimed to have been born in Keswick, Cumberland (in the Lake District), but earlier records have him listing London as birthplace.
Some biographers suggest he was the “natural son” (i.e. born illegitimately) of Frederick Howard, 5th Earl of Carlisle, though this remains speculation.
Staunton often claimed to have little formal education in his youth; evidence suggests that when he came of age, he inherited a modest sum, which he later spent.
He is said to have had ambitions in the dramatic arts: Staunton sometimes told stories of working with actors and performing Shakespeare in small roles.
Staunton moved to London around 1836, at about age 26, and that is when he began to take chess more seriously.
Youth & Chess Awakening
Staunton was not an early prodigy; he only began serious study of chess in his mid-20s.
By 1838, he was playing matches and games with prominent players. For instance, he played many games against Captain Evans (the inventor of the Evans Gambit).
By 1840, he was sufficiently strong to win a match against H. W. Popert, a noted German master.
Around this time he began writing for chess publications. He edited a chess column for the New Court Gazette, then the magazine British Miscellany, and later founded and edited The Chess Player’s Chronicle.
Between 1840 and 1845, his writings began to attract attention, and he became a significant chess commentator.
Competitive Peak & Achievements
Match vs. Saint-Amant & Claim to Supremacy
In 1843, Staunton encountered Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant, a leading French master. Staunton first engaged in a series of games against him (or John Cochrane), then negotiated a formal match.
Ultimately, Staunton defeated Saint-Amant in a match that ended with a score of 13–8 (with wins, draws, and losses).
That victory elevated him in public perception to the strongest active player in the world in the 1840s. While the title “world champion” did not formally exist, many contemporaries and later historians regard him as a de facto champion during that period.
He also advocated and helped popularize the English Opening (1.c4) and other lines; the Staunton Gambit is named in honor of his influence in chess openings.
Organizing the 1851 London Tournament
One of Staunton’s greatest contributions to chess was organizing the first international chess tournament, held in London in 1851, coinciding with the Great Exhibition.
His vision was ambitious: not only to hold a tournament, but to bring chess nations together, standardize rules, and foster international competition.
The event was successful in terms of participation and influence, even though Staunton himself did not perform well; he was eliminated by Adolf Anderssen (who went on to win).
Staunton also published The Chess Tournament (1852), detailing the event and analyzing games.
Chess Writings & Literary Work
Staunton’s The Chess-Player’s Handbook (1847) became one of the most influential English-language chess textbooks of the 19th century. It included extensive opening and endgame analysis.
Later he published Chess Praxis (a supplement) and, posthumously, Chess: Theory and Practice in 1876.
From 1845 until his death, he contributed a weekly chess column to The Illustrated London News, making him one of the most prominent chess journalists of his era.
He also invested efforts in using the telegraph to play chess matches across distances—he reported on and helped facilitate telegraph games.
In 1849, Staunton married Frances Carpenter Nethersole, who already had eight children from a prior marriage.
Also in 1849, the design of a new chess piece style was registered by Nathaniel Cooke, and Staunton promoted it heavily in his columns and endorsed it; this became the Staunton chess set, which remains the international standard.
Later Years, Controversies & Decline
The Morphy Affair
One of the most debated episodes in Staunton’s career is his handling of a proposed match with the American prodigy Paul Morphy (1858). Morphy attempted multiple times to arrange a match with Staunton, but the match never took place.
Some accused Staunton of evasive tactics and misleading communications; others argue that Staunton’s health, scheduling, and literary commitments genuinely interfered.
Modern historians often regard the criticisms of Staunton as partly biased and emphasize that the moral condemnation placed on him by some accounts may be exaggerated.
Withdrawal from Competition & Focus on Writing
By the early 1850s, Staunton's health and literary obligations led him to reduce his competitive play.
His last public participation in chess tournaments was around 1858, when he played in Birmingham; he was defeated early and did not return to high-level competition.
From then on, he focused mostly on his chess columns, books, and Shakespeare scholarship.
In his later years, he published works on Shakespeare: e.g., a photolithographic reproduction of the 1600 quarto of Much Ado About Nothing, and edited Shakespeare texts, exploring textual corruptions.
When he passed away suddenly of heart disease on June 22, 1874, he was reportedly at his desk writing.
He left unpublished a manuscript, Chess: Theory and Practice, which was later edited and released in 1876.
A memorial plaque now marks one of his London residences; in 1997 a memorial stone was placed at his grave in Kensal Green Cemetery.
Legacy and Influence
Standardizing Chess Equipment
Arguably the most visible of Staunton’s legacies is the Staunton chess set. Because the pieces were well-designed, stable, and clearly distinguishable, the design won widespread acceptance, and continues to be the official standard in tournament chess.
Chess Literature & Theory
Staunton’s books, especially The Chess-Player’s Handbook, remained authoritative for decades. His analysis of openings, endgames, and positional play influenced generations of players.
Because he published weekly commentary over decades, he shaped how chess was discussed and appreciated in Britain and beyond.
He also played a role in promoting more formal international competition, setting a precedent for organized tournaments.
Controversial Reputation & Assessment
Staunton remains a somewhat polarizing figure in chess history. He was sometimes criticized as arrogant or reactive, especially when he felt his positions were challenged.
Some modern commentators question parts of his playing legacy, arguing that his style lacked the imaginative spark of later masters; others still respect his deep opening and positional understanding for his era.
Still, many historians agree that few individuals in chess history exerted as broad an impact on the institutional, literary, and material infrastructure of chess as Staunton.
Cross-Disciplinary Scholarship
Staunton’s Shakespearean work shows the breadth of his intellectual interests. His textual scholarship, editing, and publication efforts in literature stand as a reminder that he was more than just a chess player.
Thus, Staunton exemplifies the Victorian polymath: a man who traversed the worlds of competitive strategy, publishing, and literary scholarship.
Famous Quotes by Howard Staunton
Unlike modern authors or celebrities, Staunton’s quotes are mostly technical, from his chess writings. Here are some representative ones:
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“The Queen is usually reckoned equal, in average situations, to two Rooks and a Pawn, but towards the end of a game she is hardly so valuable as two Rooks.”
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“When neither party can give checkmate, the game is drawn.”
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“When a Piece or Pawn is in a situation to be taken by the enemy, it is said to be en prise. To put a piece en prise, is to play it so that it may be captured.”
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“Be cautious of playing your Queen in front of your King and in subjecting yourself to a discovered check.”
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“The penalty for exceeding the time limit is the forfeiture of the game.”
These reflect his careful, rules-oriented mindset and his role as an authority in chess regulation and instruction.
Lessons from Howard Staunton’s Life
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Impact beyond personal performance
Staunton’s lasting influence came not just from his playing strength, but from his writing, organizational vision, and material contributions (like the chess set). -
Bridging disciplines
He demonstrated that it is possible to pursue both technical mastery (in chess) and literary scholarship (in Shakespeare), enriching both fields. -
Institution building matters
By helping to establish tournaments and standard practices, Staunton laid groundwork that future generations could build upon. -
Managing ego and critique
While he achieved great heights, his reputation suffered from perceived overconfidence or defensiveness. Balancing ambition with humility is crucial. -
Writing and communication extend legacy
Staunton’s weekly columns, books, and promotion of chess ideas ensured his ideas outlasted his competitive years.
Conclusion
Howard Staunton stands as one of the formative figures in the history of chess. Although he lived in an era before the formal institution of world championships, his dominance in the 1840s is widely acknowledged. More importantly, his deep contributions—to chess literature, competitive infrastructure, and standardization—gave the game enduring structure and coherence.
While controversies like the Morphy affair cloud parts of his reputation, they cannot erase the breadth of his impact. Long after his time, the Staunton chess set remains the global standard, and his texts continued to shape chess thought.