George Henry Mackenzie

George Henry Mackenzie (24 March 1837 – 14 April 1891) was a Scottish-born American chess master.

Biography Mackenzie was born in North Kessock, Scotland. He was educated mainly in Aberdeen, at the Aberdeen Grammar School and the Marischal College, University of Aberdeen; but he studied in Rouen, France, and Stettin, Prussia, from 1853 to 1855. He was commissioned into the 60th Foot as an ensign in 1856 when he was nineteen years old. Soon after, his regiment was sent to the Cape of Good Hope, and from there to India.

In 1863, during the middle of the American Civil War, he moved to the United States. During the Civil War, he fought on the Union side, obtaining the rank of captain in the 10th United States Colored Troops Regiment. However, on 16 June 1864, he was reported as a deserter by the United States Army. The New York Times reported on 27 April 1890 that Mackenzie was suffering from tuberculosis, and on 15 April 1891, a day after his death, mentioned that the immediate cause of death was pneumonia,

He won the fifth Scottish Championship at Glasgow 1888 with a score of +4−0=2. Samuel Lipschuetz replaced him as the United States Chess Champion in 1890.

While his only international victory was at Frankfurt 1887, Mackenzie was a frequent high placer throughout his career. The same year, Mackenzie drew a match in London with top European master Amos Burn with the final tally +4−4=2. Despite this, Mackenzie was not considered a serious contender for the world title held by Steinitz. His tournament results were below those of Steinitz, Zukertort and Blackburne in the 1880s, and his personal record against Steinitz was +1−6=3.

Famous games