Scottish Universities' Chess Association

1907

From The Chess Amateur of January 1908, p. 99:

For some time a movement has been going on amongst Chess players in the four Universities in Scotland with a view of fostering the game in the Universities and Higher Schools. On Saturday, December 14th, an Association was formed with the title of "The Scottish Universities' Chess Association." Voting papers were issued to members and the following office bearers have been elected:-

Honorary President, J. Hutchison Stirling, LL.D. Univ. Edin. and Glasgow.

President, Professor Joseph Shield Nicholson, M.A., D.Sc. University, Edinburgh.

Vice-Presidents:
Professor James Black Baillie, M.A., D.Phil. University, Aberdeen.
Professor George Frederick Stout, M.A., LL.D., University, St. Andrews.

Council:- Presidents; Vice-Presidents; Hon. Secretaries:
Rev. John Lamond, B.D.
Rev. John A. Shannon
Dr. Wyse
Messrs Philip Figdor; W. Gibson; A.J.D. Lothian; J.A. McKee; D.J. McLaren; Malcolm M. Morrison; D. Simpson.

Honorary Organising Secretary: Charles Frederick Knight, M.D., Mount Charles, Portobello.

Membership is open to both present and past members of the Universities of Scotland and also to present members of the Higher Schools. Particulars can be obtained from the Hon. Organising Secretary.

It was shortly after reported that a Challenge Cup for annual competition between the universities had been presented to the association. The name of the donor was not given.

Regarding the trophy, the Falkirk Herald of 4 March 1908 (p. 8) reported:

The Championship Cup which has been presented to this association is on view this week at J.C. Stewart's, 106 South Bridge Street, Edinburgh, after which, by direction of the president, it will be sent to the President of the Students' Union, Edinburgh, to keep until won by one of the University teams. The cup is for annual competition between the Universities of Scotland and the higher schools, and is in the form of a solid silver Scottish quaich and plinth, the whole standing about 8 inches high. The natural, plain appearance is relieved by two silver Knights, which ornament the handles.

The Honorary President, James Hutchison Stirling (1820-1909), was the father of Florence Hutchison Stirling, a five-time winner of the Scottish Ladies' Championship.

It is believed that Dr. Wyse was a member of Falkirk Chess Club.

Philip Figdor represented the Glasgow University Union Chess Club.

William Gibson and James McKee were associated with several Glasgow clubs.

A.J.D. Lothian and D[avid] Simpson were associated with Edinburgh Chess Club.

Malcolm M. Morrison represented the Edinburgh University Union Chess Club.

Other sources
Falkirk Herald, 18 December 1907, p. 7; 25 December 1907, p. 7.

Compiled by Alan McGowan
Historian, Chess Scotland