Champions
of Past Eras

James Wyllie
(The Herd Laddie)

Andrew Anderson
(1799-1861)

Robert Martins
(1822-1904)

John McKerrow
(1816-1910)

Jullian Janvier

Robert D Yates
(1857 - 1885)

Richard Jordan
vs. James Ferrie

Strickland

Drummond

Searight

Freeman

Barker

Christie

R. Jordan

A. Jordan

Stewart

Buchanan

Tanner

Banks

Checkers Champion Robert Martins

(1822-1904)

Robert Martins was not a Scot by birth, but spent most of his life in Douglas, Lanarkshire, where he, too, was employed in the weaving and cloth industry. He was born in Perryn, near Falmouth, Cornwall, on the February 26, 1822.

By the time Martins was thirteen years old, he had moved to London and had acquired a keen interest in the sport of checkers. He started to play the game with the aid from English and World chess champion Howard Staunton. After some success in various games, Martins ventured north to Scotland and first played John McKerrow for £100 in 1858, but the game ended in a draw.

In 1859, he defeated James Wylliein a tough match, establishing his claim to the World Championship and making him the checkers world champion. Over the years, Robert Martins faced James Wyllieseven times in challenging checkers matches. In each situation, Martins showed himself to be a gentleman who was genial and kind, well read, and a thinker of some depth. He was also noted to be a considerable violinist in his prime.

For thirty years, Robert Martins developed his checkers skill and finesse, as exhibited in the many games he played throughout his checker career. However, by 1889, his powers in long matches began to wane. His concentration and focus was not as sharp as it had once been. That year, Martins played his last big match against Charles F. Berker of Boston. This match was played in Glasgow and during its course, it became painfully evident to Martins' supporters that his checker playing days appeared to be over, for both his memory and power of concentration appeared to be impaired. James Moir, originally from Tillicoultry and also an excellent player, was Martins' principal backer and he found that Robert had "dizzy fits and was unable to see the position or think clearly."

None the less, during the 1890's, Robert continued to tour the checkers clubs, where he offered excellent and successful exhibitions. In 1893, Martins was at the ‘Old Black Bull Inn’ in Cambuslang still showing his game skill, and a year later, in 1894, an item from the Glasgow Weekly Echo read as "Mr. R. Martins, ex-champion of the World, will play all comers from the 31st inst. for a week, at 34 Ingram Street. He is perhaps the neatest player who ever moved a draughts piece."

Unfortunately, Robert was forced to devote his later years to the invalidity of his wife, which caused him to spend a lot of his time and effort in caring for her. This was duty that, although he considered it a privilege, brought on hard financial times. The last checkers battle between Martins and Wyllie was a subscription match to raise money for the unfortunate master, and he received about £36.

Robert Martins lived in Douglas from 1864 until his death in 1904. He is buried in the Old St. Brides Cemetery, where one will find situated a commemorative tombstone which states "In memory of Robert Martins, noted draughts player, died July 27, 1904, aged 84”. This would make his birth year 1820, not 1822. Either way, he left a great checkers legacy behind for others to follow.

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