Howard Staunton quotes

Howard Staunton was an English chess master and influential writer in the nineteenth century. He is often remembered for organizing the first international chess tournament in 1851. He also lent his name to the "Staunton" style chess pieces, which became the world standard. Here are 22 of his quotes:

The Queen is usually reckoned equal, in average situations, to two Rooks and a Pawn, but towards the end of a game she is hardly so valuable as two Rooks. (Howard Staunton)
The Pawn moves only one square at a time, and that straight forward, except in the act of capturing, when it takes one step diagonally to the right or left file on to the square occupied by the man taken, and continues on that file until it captures another man. View quote
Howard Staunton
Be cautious of playing your Queen in front of your King and in subjecting yourself to a discovered check. It is better when check is given to your King to interpose a man that attacks the checking Piece than with one that does not. View quote
Howard Staunton
When neither party can give checkmate, the game is drawn. View quote
Howard Staunton
A player is said to have the opposition when he can place his King directly in front of the adverse King, with only one square between them. This is often an important advantage in ending games. View quote
Howard Staunton
For touching an adversary's man, when it cannot be captured, the offender must move his King. View quote
Howard Staunton
A Rook is of the value of five Pawns and a fraction, and may be exchanged for a minor Piece and two Pawns. Two Rooks may be exchanged for three minor Pieces. View quote
Howard Staunton
When a Piece or Pawn is in a situation to be taken by the enemy, it is said to be en prise. To put a piece en prise, is to play it so that it may be captured. View quote
Howard Staunton
If either player abandon the game by quitting the table in anger, or in an otherwise offensive manner; or by momentarily resigning the game; or refuses to abide by the decision of the Umpire, the game must be scored against him. View quote
Howard Staunton
It is the duty of the Umpire to determine all questions submitted to him according to these laws, when they apply, and according to his best judgment when they do not apply. View quote
Howard Staunton
In Castling, the King must be moved first, or before the Rook is quitted. If the Rook be quitted before the King is touched, the opposing player may demand that the move of the Rook shall stand without the Castling being completed. (Howard Staunton)
Each player, it will be observed, has eight superior Pieces or officers, and eight minor ones which are called Pawns; and, for the purpose of distinction, the Pieces and Pawns of one party are of a different color from those of the other. View quote
Howard Staunton
The Chess-board must be placed with a white square at the right-hand corner. View quote
Howard Staunton
The Bishop and Knight, in contradistinction to the Queen and Rook, are called Minor Pieces. View quote
Howard Staunton
The Queen is by much the most powerful of the forces. View quote
Howard Staunton
If, during the course of the game, it be discovered that any error or illegality has been committed in the moves of the pieces, the moves must be retraced, and the necessary correction made, without penalty. View quote
Howard Staunton
The Bishop moves diagonally forwards or backwards, to the extent of the Board. View quote
Howard Staunton
For playing a man to a square to which it cannot be legally moved, the adversary, at his option, may require him to move the man legally, or to move the King. View quote
Howard Staunton
The penalty for exceeding the time limit is the forfeiture of the game. View quote
Howard Staunton
Having marshalled the men in battle order, as shown in the first diagram, you will observe that each party has two ranks of men, on the first of which stand the superior Pieces, and on the next the eight Pawns. View quote
Howard Staunton
Many persons have been confused and discouraged at the very outset of the study by the great variety and the delicate distinctions of the openings: and this has constituted a fault in many otherwise excellent manuals for the learner. (Howard Staunton)
When the King is checked, or any valuable Piece in danger from the attack of an enemy, you are said to interpose a man when you play it between the attacked and attacking Piece. View quote
Howard Staunton

Howard Staunton

Howard Staunton - Image
Occupation: English Celebrity
Born: April 1, 1810
Died: June 22, 1874
Quotes count: 22