---
title: "First International Chess Tournament"
year: 1851
country: "United Kingdom"
canonical: "https://recap.at/1851/london-chess-1851"
slug: "london-chess-1851"
recapType: "global_event"
startDate: "1851-05-26"
endDate: "1851-07-15"
---

# First International Chess Tournament

> The 1851 London chess tournament standardized competitive chess internationally and elevated the game from parlor pastime to organized sport.

## Summary

London 1851 was the first international chess tournament. The tournament was conceived and organised by English player Howard Staunton, and marked the first time that the best chess players in Europe would meet in a single event. Adolf Anderssen of Germany won the sixteen-player tournament, earning him the status of the best player in the world.

## Sources

- [First international chess tournament](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_1851_chess_tournament) - Wikipedia

---
Canonical: https://recap.at/1851/london-chess-1851