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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200707
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200708
DTSTAMP:20210708T081939Z
CREATED:20190911T085325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210708T081939Z
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SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of IM Andrew Whiteley (09-vi-1947 07-vii-2014)
DESCRIPTION:BCN remembers IM Andrew Jonathan Whiteley (09-vi-1947 07-vii-2014) \nAndrew Whiteley\nAndrew 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). \nDenys Edward Hugh Whiteley (1914 – 1987\, from Ancestry.co.uk\nAndrew completed his education at Magdalen College School\, Oxford and then in law at Pembroke College\, Oxford. \nAndrew and friends at the NatWest Bank Young Masters\n“Whiteley’s school chess record is an outstanding 63/65: Andrew Whiteley is captain and top board of a very strong U18 team of: A Whiteley\, H Morphy\, MN Crombie\, MM Daube\, A Hawkins and AH Smith.” \nSome of the participants in the Paul Keres display on November 25th\, 1962\, at St Pancras Town Hall\, London WC1. Back row : AJ. Whiteley\, D\, Floyer\, PJ Collins\, PJ Adams\, RC Vaughan\, KB Harman\, D. Parr\, DNL Levy\, Front row : MV Lambshire\, AE Hopkins (selector) Paul Keres\, Miss D. Dobson\, RE Hartley\, BC Gillman\, WR Hartston and PN Lee. Photograph by AM Reilly. Source : BCM\, 1963\, page 13\nAndrew was joint (with WR Hartston) Southern Counties (SCCU) champion in the 1967-68 season. \nHis highest Elo rating was 2395 in January 1977 at the age of 29 and played for King’s Head in the Four Nations Chess League (4NCL). \nAndrew was former President of the Middlesex County Chess Association (1985-87) and Deputy (1984-85 & 1987-88). \nAndrew Whiteley playing board two in the London – Belgrade Telex Match on April 3rd\, 1976 from the St. James Hotel\, Buckingham Gate. Sourced from BCM\, Volume XCVI (96)\, Number 5\, page 192. Photographer probably Freddy Reilly.\nHe became a FIDE Master in 1980 at the age of 33. His last major tournament was Cappelle Le Grand in 1988 (see photograph below). \nMagnus Magnusson presents Andrew Whiteley (right) with the BCF County Championship trophy as Captain of the Middlesex team in 1986.\nBelow was written by BCM editor James Pratt in Volume CXXXIV (134)\, Number 8 (August) page 417-8 : \n“Unfailingly courteous\, formally dressed\, retired London solicitor\, British Master\, Andrew Jonathan Whiteley (9 vi 1946 Birmingham – 8 vii 2014) has died. The son of an Oxford professor\, AJW was British U21 Champion of 1965. He tied\, with Hans Ree\, for first in the European Junior in 1965/6. \nHans Ree (left) and Andrew Whiteley (right) examine the European Junior Trophy for 1965/6 in which they tied for first.\nThe following game first appeared in the Games Department column of Harry Golombek in British Chess Magazine\, Volume LXXXVI (1966)\, Number 3 (March)\, page 148. It was game #14\,118. \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nHe scooped the Silver medal at the British in 1971 and in 1976. Andrew often worked selflessly at his office in the mornings\, commuting to key games after lunch. He rose to be No. 3 or 4 in England and\, always a loyal team man\, shone in Olympiads. Belatedly\, having turned his back on the law\, in 1988\, he became an IM. He was also a BCF Arbiter and Middlesex County organiser. In 2008\, he won the English Senior Championships aged 61. \nHis was a classical chess style. RIP.” \nAndrew Whiteley at the Nice Olympiad of 1974.\nHere is his Wikipedia entry \nAndrew Whiteley commentating on Kasparov vs Karpov\nHere is a excellent obituary from his old school\, Magdalen College. \nFM Andrew Whiteley\, IM Julian Hodgson and FM Byron Jacobs at Cappelle Le Grand\, 1988. Photograph by Caroline Winkler\nHere is an obituary from Stewart Reuben on behalf of the English Chess Federation \nAndrew Whiteley receives the Rosebowl trophy from John Poole\nSince 2014 King’s Head Chess Club has held an annual blitz tournament in memory of Andrew featuring many of England’s top players. \nAndrew Whiteley faces David Howell whilst Jimmy Adams records the moves\nHere is a discussion of Andrew on the English Chess Forum \nIM Andrew Whiteley at the first 4NCL weekend of 2012 in November.
URL:http://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-andrew-john-whiteley/
CATEGORIES:British Championships,Death Anniversary,Hastings,Player,Remembering
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200708
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200709
DTSTAMP:20201030T201753Z
CREATED:20190824T125138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201030T201753Z
UID:1169-1594166400-1594252799@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of FM David Rumens (23-ix-1939 08-vii-2017)
DESCRIPTION: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\nBCN remembers FM David Edward Rumens who passed away on July 8th\, 2017 \nDavid was born in Hendon\, London (his mother’s maiden name was Little). In his latter years he lived in Olney and then Wavendon both in Milton Keynes\, Buckinghamshire. \nHe became a FIDE Master in 1980 at the age of 41. \nAccording to chessgames.com : “FIDE Master David Edward Rumens was UK Grand Prix Champion in 1976 and 1978.” \nHis highest Elo rating was 2355 in July 1981 at the age of 42. \nHis first game in Megabase 2020 is a win with Black against Dr. Fazekas in the 1958 British Championships in Leamington Spa. His most recent database game was a win with White over Jessie Gilbert at the 2003 British Championships in Edinburgh with 159 games recorded in total. Between 1982 and 2001 no games are recorded. \nDavid Edward Rumens at the 1959 Youth World Chess Championships in Munchenstein.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)Championship in Munchenstein.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)\nCarlos Bielicki of Argentina (left) beats David Edward Rumens of England in the final game of the 1959 Youth World Chess Championships in Munchenstein.  (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)\nHere is an obituary written by Stewart Reuben from the ECF web site \nThe Cedars Chess Club May 1962 – David is seated\, second left. Photograph sourced from ECF obituary.\nHere is a discussion of David on the English Chess Forum \nDavid at Stewart Reuben’s 21st\, on Stewart’s right (Stewart has the jug) – March 1960. Photograph sourced from ECF Obituary\nDave Rumens is pleased to accept a cheque for £200 from Lady Thelma Milner-Barry for winning the 1978 Nottingham Congress with 5.5/6. Photo provided by Nottinghamshire County Council.\nFrom Round Two of the above event we have David’s exciting win over his main Grand Prix rival\, Andrew Whiteley. This game was provided by Freddy Reilly in BCM\, Volume XCVIII (98)\, Number 6 (June)\, page 255 and is BCM game number 18688 : \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nA view of the display boards with David Rumens commentating from the 1976 Lloyds Bank Match by Telex\, London – New York. From BCM\, volume XCVI (96) Number 11 (August)\, Page 494. The venue was the Bloomsbury Hotel\, London. Photo courtesy of Lloyds Bank.\nLWB observes analysis between David Rumens and Murray Chandler from Brighton 1980. Courtesy of John Upham Photography\nFM Dave Rumens\, unknown event and photographer\nFM Dave Rumens\, unknown event and photographer\n\nFM 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
URL:http://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-david-edward-rumens/
CATEGORIES:Death Anniversary,History,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200719
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200720
DTSTAMP:20210710T142337Z
CREATED:20190823T182322Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210710T142337Z
UID:1100-1595116800-1595203199@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of John Rice (19-vii-1937)
DESCRIPTION:BCN sends best wishes to John Michael Rice on his birthday\, July 19th in 1937. \nJohn was born in Scarborough\, Yorkshire\, North Riding\, his mother’s maiden name was Blake. John lives in Surbiton\, Surrey and teaches Modern Languages at Tiffin School\, Kingston-Upon-Thames. \nAn ABC of Chess Problems\nFrom An ABC of Chess Problems : \n“The author is one of the country’s most prolific foremost composers and problem critics. He has gained mainly tourney honours\, both at home and abroad\, and since 1961 has been editor of a flourishing problem section in the British Chess Magazine\, the country’s leading chess periodical. He lives in London and teaches Modern Languages at Tiffin School\, Kingston-Upon-Thames.” \nFrom chesscomposers.blogspot.com : \nJohn Rice was the chief editor of the problems section of the “British Chess Magazine” from 1961 until 1974 and is a faithful collaborator of “The Problemist“. He has written “Chess Problem: Introduction to an Art” (1963) together with Robin Matthews and Michael Lipton and “The Two-Move Chess Problem” (1966)\, “Serieshelpmates” (1978) with Anthony Dickins or “Chess Wizardry: The New ABC of Chess Problems” (1996). \nTranslated from https://peoplepill.com/people/john-michael-rice/ : \n“Since the mid-fifties he has composed problems of all kinds\, but above all in two moves. In the 1960s he was editor of the problems section of the British Chess Magazine. Since 1999 he has been editor of The Problemist magazine. \nInternational Master of Composition since 1969 and International Judge for Composition since 1972. \nPresident of the PCCC (Permanent Commission for Chess Composition) from 2002 to 2006. \nHe worked as a teacher of modern languages ​​in a school in Kingston-upon-Thames. \nWinton Capital British Chess Problem Solving Championships 2016\nTogether with Barry Barnes and Michael Lipton he wrote the book Chess Problems: Introduction to an Art (Faber & Faber\, London 1963). \nChess Problems : Introduction to an Art\nHe composes mostly direct mates\, but can composes as well in other genres\, including fairies. He is an International Judge for twomovers\, helpmates and fairy problems and the former President of the PCCC from 2004 until 2006. \nJohn was awarded the title of “International Grandmaster for chess compositions” in 2015. \nFrom British Chess\, Pergamon Press\, 1983 by GS Botterill\, DNL Levy\, JM Rice and MJ Richardson : \n“I was taught the moves of chess in 1947 at the age of ten and quickly realised that I liked the game no more than Ludo or Snakes and Ladders where the chances of losing seemed to me unfairly high. But the chess pieces and their moves fascinated me\, so it is hardly surprising that before long I had turned to problems and become an ardent fan of Brian Harley in his Observer column\, especially as I had come across and paid two shillings (!) for his Mate in Two Moves in a second-hand bookshop in Reigate. Harley\, together with T. R. Dawson in the British Chess Magazine and C. S. Kipping in CHESS\, provided the sources of my first solving pleasure and the inspiration for my first efforts at composition. Among my early successes was problem l\, heavily constructed but strategically rich\, a first prizewinner in a tournament for composers under 21\, one of a series organised by the British Chess Problem Society. \n1 \n1st Prize\, BCPS Under-21 Tournament\, 1955 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWhite mates in 2. \n1 Bd6 (threat Qg4)\n1…Nxd6+;2.Qf3\n1…Nh6+;2.Qf3\n1…Nxh4+;2.Nf4\n1…g4;2.Rh6\n1…gxh4;2.Qxh4 \nI had grown up in Scarborough (Yorkshire)\, out of contact with other problem enthusiasts\, and a chance meeting in December\, 1954 with Michael Lipton in Cambridge\, where we were both taking Scholarship examinations\, brought the realisation that there was far more to the two-move chess problem than the solidly entrenched traditionalism espoused in those days by the columns of The Problemist and CHESS. Very soon the bulk of my output was in the modern style (with set and try-play) and published abroad\, notably in Die Schwalbe\, whose two-move editor\, Hermann Albrecht\, did much to stimulate my interest. Problem 2 gained a coveted prize in an extremely strong formal tournament judged by Michael\nLipton\, following an article of his on the potentialities of the half-battery theme (illustrated here by the arrangement on the c-file). \n2 \n5th prize\, 133rd Theme Tournament\, Die Schwalbe\, 1961. \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWhite mates in 2 \n1.N2~? Bg7+!\n1.Nd4!? e2!\n1.N3~? Bxc5!\n1.Ne2! d~!\n1.Ne4!! \nThe half-battery is only one of several themes which have commanded my attention over the past 20 years\, others being white self-pin in try and key (illustrated by problem 3)\, Grimshaw and Nowotny (problem 4)\, reciprocal and cyclic play (problem V\, the first published example of cyclic mates in three phases)\, pawn-promotion effects\, and tasks of various types\, especially open gates. My total problem output numbers about 600. \n3 \nThe Tablet\, Commended\, BCPS Ring Tournament 1958; Brian Harley Award \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWhite mates in 2 \n1.Rxf4? (threat 2.Rhxf3)\nNe5; 2.Re4\nNg3; 2.Rfxf3\n1.Nxf4! (threat 2.Rxf3)\nNe5;2.Ng2\nNg3;2.Nd5 \nIn 1961 I took over from S. Sedgwick the editorship of the problem section of the British Chess Magazine\, which post I held until December\, 1974. It was a source of pride to me that I was now doing the job once done by the great T. R Dawson\, though I knew that I could never bring to it the same tireless energy and all-round expertise which he had displayed so impressively. At about the same time I embarked with Michael Lipton and Robin Matthews on a venture which was to have repercussions throughout the entire problem world\,\nnamely a series of books on problems published by Faber and Faber. The first\, Chess Problems: Introduction to an Art (Lipton\, Matthews and Rice)\, appeared in 1963\, and was followed three years later by The Two-move Chess Problem: Tradition and Development\, also with Michael Lipton\, but this time the third collaborator was Barry Barnes\, who has long been a close friend and influence. The third book in the series\, An ABC of Chess Problems (1970)\, was a solo effort. \n4 \n4th prize\, BCF Tournament 123\, 1970 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWhite mates in 2 \n1.N5b6?\, Rxb6/Bxb6/Qd3/Qd6;\n2.Qc5/Ne5/Nc5/Qd1 … Qg5! \n1…Qg5! \n1.N7b6!\, Rxb6/Bxb6/Qd3/Qd6/Qxc7;\n2.Bc5/Nf4/Nc3/Bc3/Nxc7 \nMy interest in Fairy Chess dates from a meeting in the mid-1960s with the late John Driver\, whose enthusiasm for the pleasures to be derived from non-orthodox forms I found highly infectious. Fairy problems soon began to appear in the BCM column and were favourably received. The serieshelpmate\, where White remains stationary while Black plays a sequence of moves to reach a position where White can mate in one\, has perhaps interested me more than any other non-orthodox form (see problem Vl)\, and in 1971 I collaborated with Anthony Dickins to produce a book on the subject\, The Serieshelpmate (published by the Q Press\, first edition 1971\, second edition 1978). \n5 \n1st Prize\, Problem  37th Theme Tournament\, 1961-62 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWhite mates in 2 \nSet: 1…Kc6; 2. Qe8 (A)\n1…Ke6; 2. Qc8 (B) \nTry: 1.Nb6+?\, Kc6;2.Qc8 (B)\nKe6;2.Qd6 (C)\nKe7! \nKey : 1.Nf6+! Kc6;2.Qd6 (C)\nKe6;2.Qe8 (A) \nSince 1974 my problem activities have necessarily been restricted by the demands of family life (wife and two sons\, none of them much interested in chess) and my career (schoolmaster\, formerly Head of Modern Languages Department and now Director of Studies at Tiffin School\, Kingston Upon Thames. Other leisure-time interests (not that there is much leisure time) include cricket and classical music.” \n6 \n2nd Prize\, BCF Tournament  127\, 1971 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nSerieshelpmate in 13 \n1.Bd8;2.Kc7;3.Kc6;4.Rf7;5.Rf3;6.Rc2;7.g2;8.Rf7;9.Rb7;10.Kc7;11.Kb8;12.Rc8;13Bc7\, Nd7 mate. \nJohn Michael Rice\nThe Two Move Chess Problem : Tradition and Development\nJohn Rice at a Winton Capital BCPS Problem Solving event at Eton College\nChess Problems for Solving\nThe Serieshelpmate\nBritish Chess\, Pergamon Press\, 1983. Editors : GS Botterill\, DNL Levy\, JM Rice and MJ Richardson
URL:http://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-john-michael-rice/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Composer,Problemist,Writer
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200723
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200724
DTSTAMP:20210710T143352Z
CREATED:20190823T190033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210710T143352Z
UID:1120-1595462400-1595548799@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of Sir George Thomas\, 7th Baronet (14-vi-1881 23-vii-1972)
DESCRIPTION:Death Anniversary of Sir George Alan Thomas\, 7th Baronet (14-vi-1881 23-vii-1972) \nSignature of GA Thomas from a Brian Reilly “after dinner” postcard from Hastings Christmas Congress\, 1945-1946\nFrom The Encyclopedia of Chess (BT Batsford\, 1977) by Harry Golombek : \n“British international master\, born in Constantinople (previously Byzantium and currently Istanbul : Ed.) His mother (Lady Edith Margaret Thomas : Ed) was one of the strongest English women players\, winner of the first Ladies tournament at Hastings 1895. \n(Ed : his father was Sir George Sydney Meade Thomas) \nThomas was an all-round athlete who excelled at tennis\, hockey and badminton as well as chess. He captained the English badminton team and was All England Badminton Singles champion from 1920 to 1923.” \nSir George Alan Thomas : “During his playing career\, he won 78 national titles in the United Kingdom and a further 12 French titles; he also competed in 29 out of 30 English internationals\, winning 50 matches in the process.”\nHere is an excellent article (albeit stating GT was a Grandmaster and was president of the British Chest Federation!) from the National Badminton Museum. \n\n“Thomas won the British chess championship twice\, in 1923 and 1934 and represented England in the Olympiads of 1927 where he tied with Norman Hansen for the best score – 80% on board 3\, 1930\, 1931\, 1935\, 1937 and 1939. \nPassenger list from RMS Alacantra showing Sir George Thomas arriving at Buenos Aires on September 19th\, 1939\nEntry for Sir George Thomas from above image.\nIn international tournaments his greatest successes were 1st at Spa (ahead of Tartakower) and =1st at Hastings 1934/5 (tied with Euwe and Flohr\, ahead of Capablanca and Botvinnik). \nSir George Thomas\, British Chess Champion\, Southsea Congress\, 1923 Photograph by Gilbert N Fulcher\, Southsea\nHe was known for his keen sense of sportsmanship and for his ability to encourage and inspire younger players. He served for many years on the BCF Junior selection committee and was for a time Games Editor of the British Chess Magazine. FIDE awarded him the titles of international master (1950) and International Judge (1952). (article by Ray Keene)” \nBritish chess champion Sir George Thomas playing at the Annual British Chess Federation Championship in Yarmouth\, England\, July 11th 1935. (Photo by Harry Todd/Fox Photos/Getty Images)\nThomas with the White pieces was predominantly a Ruy Lopez devotee. \nWith the Black pieces against 1.e4 he defended the Lopez and the Queen’s Gambit Declined was his favourite versus 1.d4 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nFrom The Encyclopedia of Chess (Robert Hale 1972 and 1976) by Anne Sunnucks : \n“International Master (1950)\, International Judge (1952) and British Champion in 1923 and 1934. All England Badminton Singles Champion\, All England Badminton Doubles Champion\, Wimbledon tennis player and county hockey player. \nSir George Thomas was born in Constantinople on 14th June 1881. His mother\, Lady Thomas\, won the first ever ladies’ tournament\, which was held in conjunction with the Hastings International Chess Tournament of 1895. \nHe learned the moves at the age of 4\, and as a boy met many of the world’s leading players\, including Steinitz\, Lasker\, Tchigorin and Pillsbury\, in his mother’s drawing-room. \nApart from serving as a subaltern in the Army during the 1914-1918 war\, Sir George has devoted his life to sport. He played tennis at Wimbledon\, played hockey for Hampshire\, captained the English Badminton team and was All England Badminton Singles Champion from 1920-1923 and doubles champion nine times. \nSir George Thomas And Brian ReillySir George Thomas (left)\, leader of the British chess team\, playing Irishman Brian Reilly at the Easter Chess Congress\, Margate\, April 24th 1935. (Photo by Harry Todd/Fox Photos/Getty Images)\nSir George played chess for England regularly from 1910 to 1939. He played for the British Chess Federation in the Chess Olympiads of 1927\,1930\, 1931\, 1933\, 1935\, 1937 and 1939\, and captained the team which withdrew from the Buenos Aires Olympiad in 1939 on the out-break of war. \nA Brian Reilly “after dinner” postcard from Margate 1936.\nThe Grand Hotel\, Cliftonville\, Margate. Venue for the Margate tournaments.\nHis first appearance in the British Championship was in he came 2nd. He also came 2nd in 192l and in 1923 won the first time\, thus becoming British Chess Champion and\nBadminton Champion in the same year. Sir George’s best performance was at Hastings 1934-1935\, when he came =1st. In the last round he needed only a draw against R. P. Michell to come lst\, ahead of Euwe\, Capablanca\, Flohr and Lilienthal\, but he lost and had to be content with sharing lst prize with Euwe and Flohr. \nNice Masters\, 1931. Standing : Daniel Noteboom\, Abraham Baratz\, George Renaud (Organiser)\, John J O’Hanlon\, Marcel Duchamp\, Brian Reilly (winner)\, Seated : Eugene Znokso-Borovsky\,\, Arpad Vajda\, Sir George Thomas\, Jacques Mieses\, Stefano Roselli del Turco\, Jacob Adolf Seitz. British Chess Magazine\, 1931\, page 201\nDuring his career he has beaten Botvinnik\, Flohr and and drawn with Nimzowitsch\, Rubinstein and Capablanca. He been noted for his sportsmanship and for his interest in and encouragement of young players. \nPartie d’échecsSir Georges Thomas\, le célèbre joueur d’échecs britannique\, jouant contre sa plus jeune adversaire âgée de 8 ans\, à Londres\, Royaume-Uni le 24 octobre 1934. (Photo by Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)\nSince his retirement until the last few years\, Sir George continued to attend tournaments as a spectator. \nHe is the author of The Art of Badminton\, published in 1923. \nThe Art of Badminton\nHe died on 23rd July 1972 in a London nursing home.” \nHere is Part II of GM Matthew Sadler’s appreciation of Sir George. \nMost interestingly we have this this splendid article from Neil Blackburn (SimaginFan) on chess.com \nHere is his Wikipedia entry \nSir George Alan Thomas (14-vi-1881 23-vii-1972)\nand here is Part III of Matthew Sadler’s article \nSir George Alan Thomas\nFrom The Oxford Companion to Chess (OUP\, 1984) by Hooper & Whyld : \n“English player. International Master (1950)\, International Arbiter (1952)\, British champion 1923 and 1934. His mother\, who taught him chess\, was winner of one of the first women’s tournaments\, Hastings 1895\, He played in more than 80 tournaments and achieved his best result at Hastings 1934-5 (about category 9)\, when he scored +6-1—2 to share first prize with Euwe and Flohr ahead of Botvinnik and Capablanca. Thomas played in seven Olympiads from 1927 to 1939\, and in the first the highest percentage score was made by him ( + 9=6) and the Dane Holgar Norman-Hansen (1899- ) (+11=2—2). A leading English player for more than 25 years\, Thomas fought many battles at the famous City of London club\, winning 16 of the annual championships from 1913-14 to 1938-9. In his sixty-ninth year he gave up competitive chess when\, after a hard game\, ‘the board and men began to swim before my eyes\,’ He continued his active interest in junior events and his visits\, now as a spectator\, to chess events. \n\nA man of few words\, imperturbable\, of fine manners. Sir George Thomas was respected throughout the chess world for his sportsmanship and impartiality\, and his opinion was often sought when disputes arose between players. The inheritor of both a baronetcy and private means\, he\ndevoted his life to games and sports. Besides his chess he was a keen hockey player\, a competitor in international lawn tennis (reaching the last eight at Wimbledon on one occasion)\, and winner of about 90 badminton titles\, notably the All-England men’s singles championship which he won four times\, from 1920 to 1923.”
URL:http://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-sir-george-alan-thomas/
CATEGORIES:Death Anniversary,History,Honours,Player
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200725
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200726
DTSTAMP:20210710T143636Z
CREATED:20190824T104231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210710T143636Z
UID:1159-1595635200-1595721599@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of (Arthur) John Roycroft (25-vii-1929)
DESCRIPTION:We are delighted to offer (Arthur) John Roycroft best wishes on his birthday\, this day (July 25th) in 1929. \nJohn was born in Hendon\, London and his mother’s maiden name was Banks. \nAJR aged 9\, courtesy of the BCPS web site.\nJohn moved to Brighton and then evacuated to Calcot\, North Wales and returned to Brighton when the threat had subsided. \nHe married Betty in 1961 and they had a son and a daughter and now have several grand children.  \nHe claimed that he had never suffered a common cold. \nJohn is Platinum Life Member of the English Chess Federation and an “ECF Supporter”. \nThe Chess Endgame Study\n“From The Oxford Companion to Chess (Oxford University Press\, 1984) by David Hooper and Ken Whyld : \nEnglish study composer and author\, International Judge of Chess Compositions (1959)\, Computer systems analyst. \nIn 1965 he founded EG\, quarterly publication which became the world’s first and only long-running magazine devoted wholly to studies. \nHis Test Tube Chess (1972)\, the best English language guide to the art of studies.\, was revised and republished as The Chess Endgame Study (1981). \nStudies are commonly classified by means of the GBR code of which he was co-inventor.” \nFrom The Encyclopedia of Chess (Robert Hale\, 1970 & 1976) by Anne Sunnucks : \n“FIDE Judge of Endgame Studies. Born on 25th July 1929. Founder of the Chess Endgame Study Circle in London in March 1965.and its quarterly magazine EG\, the first and only publication exclusively devoted to the composed chess ending. Roycroft who is a computer systems analyst and lives in London\, has composed about 20 endgame studies.” \nAJ Roycroft \n“EG” July 1965 \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess diagram visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nSolution :\n1.Bg7 Kb1; 2.Nf6 b4; 3.Kxb4 Kb2 4.Bh8 Nc2+; 5.Ka4 Kxc3 6.Ne4++ \nVideo Chess Event (See caption below)\nVideo Chess Caption\nAJR won the BCF President’s Award in 1995. \nHere is AJRs Wikipedia entry \nHere is AJR talking about himself on the BPCS web site \nHere is his entry from the Chess Programming Wiki \nTest Tube Chess
URL:http://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-arthur-john-roycroft/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Composer,History,Problemist
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:http://britishchessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Roycroft9907.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR