Random 1850s

  1. Tassilo von der Lasa vs. Elias van der Hoeven 2—0 (Germany 1851)
    These two games were played with randomized pieces positions (what we now call FischerRandom or Chess960). It is not clear whether these were the only two games played between these two players, but the sources indicate that von der Lasa won several games.
  2. Willem Verbeek vs. Francois Hancock 2—1 (Wijk bij Duurstede? 1852)
    These three games were played with randomized pieces positions (what we now call FischerRandom or Chess960). I am guessing that they were played in Wijk bij Duurstede, where Verbeek lived, though they may have been played in Amsterdam, where Hancock lived.
  3. Philidor Club Tournament (Amsterdam 1852)
    This was an 8-player single-round all-play-all tournament, in which draws had to be replayed. Moreover, it was played with the initial piece positions randomized (what is now called FischerRandom Chess or Chess960 or Freestyle Chess), which I have decided should be considered ratable.