British Champions

Click on the names to download games. Howard Staunton (1810 - 1874) Staunton was the world's leading player in the 1840's. He founded the English school of chess and promoted the world's first international chess tournament in 1851. Current games total: 353 Last updated: 28.03.98 Database version: 02 Image Henry Atkins (1872 - 1955) Atkins holds a unique record in the British Championship; out of eleven appearances he won the event nine times: 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1924 and 1925. Current games total: 176 Last updated: 17.11.09 Database version: 03 Image Frederick Yates (16 January 1884 - 10 November 1932) Yates was British champion in 1913, 1914, 1921, 1926, 1928 and 1931. In tournament play, on occasion, he defeated most of the greatest masters of his time. Current games total: 531 Last updated: 12.01.03 Database version: 10 Acknowledgements: Special thanks to John Blake, Richard Strange and Vlastimil Fiala for games. Image Sir George Thomas (1881-1972) Thomas won the British championship twice, in 1923 and 1934, and represented England in seven Olympiads. He fought many battles at the City of London club, winning 16 of its annual championships from 1913-14 to 1938-39. Database entries: 626 Last updated: 11.11.09 Database version: 07 Acknowledgements: Special thanks to John Blake, Richard Strange and Vlastimil Fiala for games. Thanks to Dominique Thimognier for corrections. Image Mir Sultan Khan (1905-1966) Sultan Khan won the British championship in 1929, 1932 and 1933, and represented England in three Olympiads. He had a great natural talent for the game which brought admiration from Capablanca who called him a genius. Current games total: 138 Last updated: 25.06.98 Database version: 01 Acknowledgements: Special thanks to John Blake for games. Image William Winter (1898 - 1955) William Winter was British Championship in 1935 and 1936. His chess career includes a number of fine victories over great players (e.g. Bronstein, Nimzowitsch and Vidmar). Current games total: 208 Last updated: 17.11.09 Database version: 02 Conel Hugh O'Donel Alexander (1909 - 1974) C.H.O'D Alexander was British Championship in 1938 and 1956. He played in six Olympiads from 1933 to 1958. In the early 1960's he decided to abandon over-the-board play in favour of correspondence chess. Current games total: 384 Last updated: 02.11.01 Database version: 01 Dr. Stefan Fazekas (1898 - 1967) Doctor Stefan Fazekas was British Championship in 1957; the oldest player to ever have won it. In 1959 he took up correspondence chess and became an international correspondence chess master. Current games total: 165 Last updated: 29.10.01 Database version: 01