The Halifax Chess Club was created on the 4th of May 1840, at the Northgate hotel in Halifax, making it one of the oldest chess clubs in the UK. Frederic William Cronhelm was the first President and Francis Leyland was the first Secretary (and Treasurer) of the club. There was also a Council of three - John Craven and two bankers (N. Forbes, manager of the Halifax Commercial banking Co. and A, McKean, manager of the Yorkshire District Bank.