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)
BCN remembers IM Andrew Jonathan Whiteley (09-vi-1947 07-vii-2014) Andrew Whiteley Andrew was born on Monday, June 9th, 1947 in Birmingham, West Midlands to Denys Edward Hugh Whiteley (1914 - 1987) and Muriel Sutton (1919 - 1967). Andrew had two siblings, Robert N (Birmingham, 1944) and Angela M (Oxford 1952). Denys Edward Hugh Whiteley (1914 - … Continue reading Death Anniversary of IM Andrew Whiteley (09-vi-1947 07-vii-2014)
FM Dave Rumens enjoys being introduced as "The late Dave Rumens" at the 2013 Terafinal by Mike Basman, Loughborough Grammar School. Courtesy of John Upham Photography BCN remembers FM David Edward Rumens who passed away on July 8th, 2017 David was born in Hendon, London (his mother's maiden name was Little). In his latter years … Continue reading Death Anniversary of FM David Rumens (23-ix-1939 08-vii-2017)
BCN remembers much loved Ken Whyld who passed away on July 11th 2003 in Lincolnshire. Ken Whyld from CHESS magazine, January 1950. courtesy of the Ken Whyld Association From Chess : The Records : "Ken Whyld was the editor of Chess Students Quarterly in the early 1950s and from 1955-63, Chess Reader, in which he … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Ken Whyld (06-iii-1926 11-vii-2003)
We remember Raaphy(i) Persitz who passed away on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009. From British Chess Magazine, Volume CXXIX (129, 2009), Number 3 (March), pp. 130-134 by John Saunders we have this detailed obituary: Raaphy Persitz A tribute to a great friend of British chess, by John Saunders Raphael Joseph Arie (Raaphy) Persitz (26 vii 1934, … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Raaphi Persitz (26-vii-1934 04-ii-2009)
BCN mourns the passing of Dr. Julian Farrand (13-viii-1935 17-vii-2020). He was 84 years of age. Julian Thomas Farrand was born August 13th, 1935 in Doncaster in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Dr. Farrand QC(Hon), formerly the Insurance Ombudsman, became the Pensions Ombudsman, and he had been a Law Commissioner and a University Professor of … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Dr. Julian Farrand QC (Hon) (13-viii-1935 17-vii-2020)
Death Anniversary of Sir George Alan Thomas, 7th Baronet (14-vi-1881 23-vii-1972) Signature of GA Thomas from a Brian Reilly "after dinner" postcard from Hastings Christmas Congress, 1945-1946 From The Encyclopedia of Chess (BT Batsford, 1977) by Harry Golombek : "British international master, born in Constantinople (previously Byzantium and currently Istanbul : Ed.) His mother (Lady … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Sir George Thomas, 7th Baronet (14-vi-1881 23-vii-1972)
Death Anniversary of WFM Jessica Laura Corey Gilbert (30-i-1987 26-vii-2007) From Find A Grave by by Peterborough K: "Professional Chess Player. A native of Croydon, England, Gilbert became the youngest person ever to win the Women's World Chess Federation Master Title. A talented chess player since the age of 8, she also won the Women's … Continue reading Death Anniversary of WFM Jessica Gilbert (30-i-1987 26-vii-2007)
BCN Remembers Captain William Davies Evans (27-i-1790 03-viii-1872) Captain William Davies Evans (27-i-1790 03-viii-1872) From The Oxford Companion to Chess (OUP, 1984) by Hooper & Whyld : "Inventor of the Evans gambit, for about half a century one of the most popular attacking weapons. He was born in (Musland Farm in the parish of Saint … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Captain William Davies Evans (27-i-1790 03-viii-1872)