Walter Grimshaw was born in Dewsbury, later living in Cleckheaton and Liversedge, before becoming a pawnbroker’s apprentice, and then finally settled in Whitby, where he traded as a pawnbroker. He was president of Whitby Chess Club from 1859 to his death (by suicide) in 1890, and it seems likely Whitby Chess Club was actually founded by Grimshaw et al. in1859.

He is best known to chess problemist, a particular “theme” of problem being named after him. While resident in Whitby his chess activities were limited geographically to the North Riding and York. He lent his support to all major chess initiatives in the area. As a player he was seemingly quite strong, but had little opportunity to encounter much opposition of strength comparable to his own.

It is clear he was playing chess (as well as composing problems) while living in York, as there is record of a game played in 1853 between “W. Grimshaw of York” and “J Watkinson” who must have been John Watkinson of Huddersfield. The position after 16. a3 was as follows:

In this position, Watkinson played the bizarre-looking 16. … Na2. So, how did Grimshaw continue?

Click here to play through the game and see how Walter Grimshaw demolished John Watkinson’s position and win.

Another example of Walter Grimshaw is provided by the game Walter Grimshaw v “A. Love” (who was quite probably in fact R. Love, senior, of Grosmont Chess Club), played on 21/01/1886. Black was not a strong player by Grimshaw’s standards, and in the following position Black has just played 8. … O-O.

Click here to play through the game and see how White launched an attack and won.

It seems that on a trip to London in 1879, Walter Grimshaw turned up at Simpson’s Divan in London, without announcing himself formally as would be expected of someone who had something of a “name”, and proceeded to beat Wilhelm Steinitz in a casual game. Years later, a game purporting to be this game was published. Steinitz denied the existence of such a game between him and Grimshaw. Grimshaw confirmed he had in fact won a game from Steinitz, but could not remember the moves of the game. It is of course possible that Grimshaw did in fact beat Steinitz, but that the published game was not that game.

Click here to play through the alleged game Walter Grimshaw v Wilhelm Steinitz.

Click here for biographical data on Walter Grimshaw.

Click here for info on the early Whitby Chess Club.