George Alcock MacDonnell

George Alcock MacDonnell (16 August 1830 in Dublin – 3 June 1899 in London) was an Anglican clergyman as well as a chess master and writer.

He tied for 3rd-4th at London 1862 (the 5th British Chess Congress, Adolf Anderssen won),[1] won two matches against George Henry Mackenzie (8 : 5) and (6.5 : 3.5) both at Dublin 1862, shared 1st with Wilhelm Steinitz at Dublin 1865,[2] but lost a play-off game to him there, tied for 2nd-3rd at London 1866 (the 1st British Chess Championship, Cecil De Vere won),[3] tied for 3rd-4th at Dundee (Gustav Neumann won),[4] tied for 3rd-5th at London 1868/69 (the 2nd BCA Challenge Cup, Joseph Henry Blackburne and De Vere won),[5] shared 3rd at London 1872 (Steinitz won),[6] and took 4th at London 1872 (the 4th BCA Challenge Cup, John Wisker and De Vere won).

[7] MacDonnell won a match against Wisker (3.5 : 0.5) at Bristol 1873, and lost a rematch (6 : 9) at London 1874.

[12] He led a chess column in the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News for many years.

[13] After a series of curacies (including St Peter's Church, Walworth and St Pancras Old Church), MacDonnell was vicar of Bisbrooke in Rutland, 1887-99.