Herefordshire Chess History

London 1873, 28 March
Edwyn Anthony, a barrister born in Hereford and proprietor of The Hereford Times, represented Oxford University in the first Varsity chess match against Cambridge at the City of London Chess Club. Edwyn won both his games in the double round match helping Oxford to a 9-2 win.

Ross 1873, 31 July
Thomas Blake, the M.P. for the Borough of Leominster. gave to the people of Ross "The Ross Free Library, Reading-Room, and Recreation-Grounds" situated in Broad street. This was a two storey building which was well furnished, lighted and ventilated with news and refreshment rooms on the ground-floor, and reading-room, book-room, chess-room [my emphasis] on first floor.

Hereford 1885
The 20th British Counties Chess Association Congress was held in Hereford. First was Joseph Blackburn with 8 followed by HE Bird and E Schallop on 7½ and Captain George Henry Mackenzie, the US Chess Champion, on 7 points.

The British Chess Magazine dated August 1885 reported: "Counties Chess Association- The meeting of this Association at Hereford which commenced on 3rd inst. is of peculiar interest. As the 20th anniversary of the Society's existence, it was desired by its promoters to celebrate this with special honour and accordingly the resolve was taken to extend for this once its usual boundaries by including in the programme a tourney open to all the world, with largely augmented prizes. The Congress was opened by the President at 6 p.m. with an eloquent and appropriate address, in which he alluded to the past history of the Counties Chess Association, and spoke kindly words of welcome to the assembled players. At 7 p.m. the games in both sections of the first class, and also in Class 2, commenced but the open or Master Tourney did not begin til next morning. The scene of action was the large Assembly Room of the Green Dragon Hotel and a more commodious place for carrying out the important contests could hardly be wished."

Ledbury 1892
From A Guide to Ledbury, Herefordshire by E. Freeman (1892)
THE READING ROOM AND LIBRARY is situated near the Market House at the corner of the Church Lane. Strangers to the town and neighbourhood may use the Reading Room by paying one penny per visit. A box is placed in the room for receiving these contributions. The Library contains upwards of 1,000 volumes, and additions are made to it from time to time. There are about 30 newspapers and periodicals supplied to the Reading Room. Attached is a smoking room, which is also used for chess and draughts.

Hereford 1897
The Hereford Times reported a simultaneous blindfold simultaneous display by Joseph Blackburn against 6 players. At his 20th move in the game against Mr Collins, Blackburn "to the astonishment of the spectators, announced mate in six moves and proceeded, to their further amazement, to call out with the utmost rapidity the whole of the [...] variations, which exhaust the position".

Herefordshire & Shropshire 1950s
Hereford City Club played in the Shropshire League for many years. During the three years 1954, 1955, and 1956, they dominated the league and won championship titles. Members of the victorious team included: S.G Richards, Dr. P Gawick, G Williams, W.H Williams, W Harrison, H.W Burley, C.W.J Pearson, and G.R Maw.