After LaBourdonnais and McDonnell died, the best were now Howard Staunton and Pierre Charles de Saint-Amant. A match in 1843 formed between them in 1843, which Saint-Amant won with 3 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. Staunton was winning by 1 going into the final 2 games, but then miracles occurred.
Disheartened, Staunton was blown off the board as white in the next game and thus lost this very tough match.
Of course, Staunton challenged Saint-Amant to a rematch, which was accepted. 6 months later, it took place. The conditions were:the first to win 11 games. After 8 games he had 7 wins and only 1 draw! He had won many pretty games on the way.
The 2 players alternated wins in the next 6 games, and Staunton was a win away with the score 10-3. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Saint-Amant won 3 of the next 5 games (the other 2 were draws)! Here is an example, the 20th game.
Staunton's fans were getting nervous, as the score was now 10-6. Luckily, Staunton saved the best game of his career for a good time, the 21st game.
Thus Staunton won the match and left no doubt that he was #1.
That's it for part 2! Part 3 coming soon!
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