Thomas Wilson Barnes
Thomas Wilson Barnes | |
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![]() Thomas Wilson Barnes | |
Country | England |
Born | 1825 |
Died | 20 August 1874 |
Thomas Wilson Barnes (1825–1874) was an English chess master, one of the leading British masters of his time.
Chess history[]
Barnes was one of the leading British chess masters at the time of Paul Morphy's visit to the UK in 1858. Barnes had the happy fortune of having the best record against Paul Morphy during the latter's visit, winning eight games and losing nineteen (Brace 1977). The only tournament he played in was London in 1862, where he finished in the middle of the field (Hooper & Whyld 1992), (Golombek 1976:148).
Openings named for Barnes[]
This section uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves. |
A variation of the Ruy Lopez opening called the Barnes Defence was named after him: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 g6 (this is also sometimes known as the Smyslov Defence). A much more dubious variation named for him is Barnes Defence, 1.e4 f6 which he played against Anderssen and Morphy, beating the latter.[1] Barnes Opening, 1.f3, also bears his name. Opening with the f-pawn served his preference to sidestep existing opening knowledge.
Death[]
Barnes went on a diet and lost 130 pounds (9st 4lb, approx. 59 kg) in 10 months, which resulted in his death.[2] Barnes was buried 5 days after his death at the Brompton cemetery in London.[3]
Notes[]
- ^ Morphy vs. Barnes, Barnes Defense
- ^ (Hooper & Whyld 1992)
- ^ Upham, John (2020-08-20). "Remembering Thomas Wilson Barnes (1825 20-viii-1874)". British Chess News. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
References[]
- Brace, Edward (1977), "Barnes, Thomas Wilson", An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, Craftwell, ISBN 1-55521-394-4
- Golombek, Harry (1976), Chess: A History, Putnam, p. 148, ISBN 0-399-11575-7
- Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1992), "Barnes, Thomas Wilson", The Oxford Companion to Chess (2nd ed.), Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280049-3
External links[]
- Thomas Wilson Barnes player profile and games at Chessgames.com
- 1825 births
- 1874 deaths
- British chess players
- 19th-century chess players
- British chess biography stubs
- English sportspeople stubs