Here are the 85 games (and over 3,500 moves) between the Frenchman Louis Charles Mahe de la Bourdonnais (1797-1840) and the Irishman Alexander McDonnell (1798-1835), played in London in 1834. There was no time limit, no seconds, and very little stakes. McDonnell sometimes took over an hour and a half to make a move. Bourdonnais won the match (actually 6 matches) with 45 wins, 13 draws, and 27 losses. The matches lasted over 4 months. Bourdonnais was considered the world's strongest player from 1821 to 1840. McDonnell was considered England's strongest player. All the games were recorded by William Greenwood Walker, the aged Secretary of the Westminster Chess Club who died right after the match. He was a fan of McDonnell and sat by him throughout the match.

The match began in June, 1834 and continued throughout the summer. A game a day was played every day except Sunday. A game began at noon at the Westminster Chess Club (founded in 1831 by George Walker). If the game was still in progress by 6 pm, they adjourned the game and finished it the next day. The matches ended in October, 1834.

Alexander McDonnell was born in Belfast on May 22, 1798. He was a bachelor who held the post of Secretary of the West India Committee of Merchants. In the 1830s he was the best player in England. In the 1820s he took chess lessons from William Lewis. He developed a kidney ailment. He died September 14, 1835 of Bright's disease in London at the age of 37. He was buried at Kensal Green All Souls' cemetery in London.

Bourdonnais was born on the French Island La Reunion in 1797. He died on December 13, 1840 in London. He learned chess in 1814 and took lessons from Deschapelles. He later became the best chess player in France. He came from a noble family and heir to an old estate. He lost his fortune in a building speculation and turned to chess to earn his living. He was Secretary of the Paris Chess Club and chess professional at the Cafe de la Regence. In November, 1840 he was diagnosed with dropsy and had a scrotal hernia. He died at the age of 43 and was buried at Kensal Green All Souls' cemetery, next to McDonnell.

In match one, 25 games were played. Bourdonnais won 16, drew 4, and lost 5, with a score of 18-7.

In match two, 9 games were played. McDonnell won 5 and lost 4, with a score of 5-4. There were no draws.

In match 3, 12 games were played. Bourdonnais won 6, drew 1, and lost 5, with a score of 6.5-5.5.

In match 4, 18 games were played. Bourdonnais won 8, drew 7, and lost 3, with a score of 11.5-6.5.

In match 5, 12 games were played. Bourdonnais won 7, drew 1, and lost 4, with a score of 7.5-4.5.

In match 6, 9 games were played. McDonnell won 5 and lost 4, with a score of 5-4. There were no draws.