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[4]+120 pages with frontispiece, and diagrams. Duodecimo (6 1/4" x 5") issued in red cloth with black lettering to spine and cover. (Betts: 37-10) First edition. Contains 45 two-movers and one three-mover by the author, 15 prize-winning problems and two end games by various composers, the "hints" by the author, solutions to problems appear on page 95-96 and 118 and 119. Frideswide Fanny Beechey was the second daughter of Richard Brydges Beechey and Frideswide Maria Moore Beechey (1819â 1885), née Smyth, of Portlick Castle, Westmeath, Ireland. Portlick Castle had been purchased in 1703 by the Rev. Robert Smyth for £885. This Robert had a son Ralph who died apparently without an heir. However, and illegitimate son, Robert, was produced by a local woman and authenticated by a local clergyman, and he duly inherited the castle. In 1882 Frideswide Fanny Beechey was the first women to win a prize in a chess-problem composing competition. The British Chess Magazine of 1883, on page 30, noted that a â Chess Departmentâ had commenced, edited by Miss Beechey, in a new weekly publication, the Matlock Register, the first edition of which was dated 08/12/1882. The BCM suggested this was the first such column to be edited by a lady. In 1883 her book Chess Blossoms was published. The title, by chance or design, is reminiscent of the name of the ship, Blossom, in which her father and uncle sailed together to the Pacific and the Bering Straits. On 01/12/1883, Frideswide Beechey took over the chess column in the Supplement to the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent which had hitherto carried a column by Bird. Her column was probably one published with variations in a number of publications. This column in the Sheffield paper appears to have run through to 10/06/1887. In 1884 her book Chess Fruits, co-authored with her husband, was published. Condition: Previous owner's name on front paste down, spine darkened, soiled, some age toning to pages, frontispiece beginning to separate else about very good of a scarce item. Seller Inventory # C2219
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