BCN remembers Robin Matthews CBE, FBA who died in Cambridge aged 83 on June 19th 2010. Probate (3367272) was granted in Ipswich, Suffolk on September 6th, 2010. Robert (Robin) Charles Oliver Matthews was born in Edinburgh on Thursday, June 16th 1927. Born on the same day was England cricketer, Tom Graveney. His English father, Oliver … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Robin Matthews (16-vi-1927 19-vi-1983)
BCN Remembers Johannes Hermann Zukertort (07-ix-1842 20-vi-1888) Johannes Hermann Zukertort (07-ix-1842 20-vi-1888), from the Illustrated London News From the July 2012 editorial in British Chess Magazine we had this report : "Johann Hermann Zukertort’s (1842-1888) grave was rededicated last month in London’s crowded Brompton Cemetery, largely thanks to an initiative led by Stuart Conquest. The … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Johannes Zukertort (07-ix-1842 20-vi-1888)
BCN Remembers Sir Richard Clarke KCB OBE who passed away on June 21st 1975. According to chess-poster.com : "Clarke died in the University College Hospital, in London, on 21 June 1975 and was cremated at Golders Green three days later. He was survived by his wife Brenda Pile (married in 1950, née Skinner) and their three … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Sir Richard Clarke KCB CB OBE (13-viii-1910 21-vi-1975)
Here is his Wikipedia entry BCN remembers Howard Staunton (??-iv-1810 22-vi-1874) A curious article about Staunton From The Oxford Companion to Chess by Hooper and Whyld : The world's leading player in the 1840s, founder of a school of chess, promoter of the world’s first international chess tournament, chess columnist and author, Shakespearian scholar. Nothing … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Howard Staunton (??-iv-1810 22-vi-1874)
BCN remembers Alan Phillips (28-x-1923 24-vi-2009) Here is his far too brief Wikipedia entry From Chessgames.com : "Alan Phillips, joint British Champion in 1954, was born in England in 1923. He was the author of Chess: 60 Years on with Caissa and Friends (Caissa Editions, 2003) and The Chess Teacher (Cadogan, 1995)." Here is an … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Alan Phillips (28-x-1923 24-vi-2009)
Remembering Marmaduke Wyvill (22-xii-1815 25-vi-1896) Here is his Wikipedia entry Here is an excellent article from the Yorkshire Chess History web site. From The Oxford Companion to Chess by Hooper & Whyld : He was winner of second prize in the first international tournament, London 1851. He developed his chess skill in the 1840s, meeting … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Marmaduke Wyvill (22-xii-1815 25-vi-1896)
A Great Life with a Tragic Ending Few people know the story of Vera Menchik yet it deserves to be told. She was the first women's world chess champion in 1927 and retained the title undefeated until her untimely death at the age of 38 in 1944 during a rocket attack on London. She is … Continue reading Death Anniversary for Vera Menchik (16-ii-1906 27-vi-1944)