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Coffeehouse and Chess Clubs of 19th century England

Chess History With Shara Beth
"Early 19th century London, enamored with Philidor, imitated the French in all things chess. The French played almost exclusively in coffeehouses. What few clubs were formed didn't last long. The English also played chess mostly in coffeehouses at the turn of the century. But the English are a different society than the French. As one writer put it, the French gather for the sake of gathering and then find an activity; the English have an activity and gather for the sake of common interest. The French, a more casual society, played in coffeehouses, had little chess literature and less structure. In comparison, the English tended to become very organized by forming clubs whch led to organized matches and tournaments. They also published all sorts of chess books and pamphlets. "
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