Chess in the Island 1899

With the approach of the winter, chess is beginning to be again taken up, and Island clubs are busily arranging for their usual contests.  The I.W. Chess League, won last year by Newport, will be continued, but it appears unlikely that last year’s winners will again enter, as they have lost several players.

In a match on Wednesday between the I.W. Chess Association and Portsmouth, two games were won and one drawn by the Isle of Wight men.  Mr. Pearce and Mr. Flower of Ryde, scored 1⅓.

In local circles chess appears to be as vigorously pursued as ever.  The Conservative Chess Club is, we hear, about to start a new season with excellent prospects of success.  The Club will again enter the I.W. League, in which they did well last year.  The Club list of players will be strengthened considerably, as we are told that two new players of ability will be included in the team.  Mr. J. S. Flower will again captain the team, which should do well in the Island League.

Notes:
Mr. J. S. Flower (Chemist), was the son of the well-known chemist of 6 Pier Street, Ryde (the late Thomas Simpson Flower).
In 1921 James Simpson Flower was listed as a retired chemist, living at Rutland Road, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey (back to his birthplace), with his widowed mother, sister and brother.

Their Chemist shop was at a later date occupied by Nicholson’s, Esplanade, Ryde.

Sources: IW Observer & RSHG Archive
Image: Wikipedia
Article: Ann Barrett