Henry Edward Bird Death Anniversary of Henry Edward Bird (14-vii-1829 11-iv-1908) From The Oxford Companion to Chess by David Hooper & Ken Whyld : "English player, accountant. He played in 13 strong tournaments, with erratic results; his best achievements were: Vienna 1873, a tie with L. Paulsen for fifth place; Paris 1878, fourth place shared … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Henry Edward Bird (14-vii-1829 11-iv-1908)
Death Anniversary of Rev. Charles Edward Ranken (05-i-1828 12-iv-1905)From The Encyclopaedia of Chess by Harry Golombek : A leading member of the formidable band of reverends who played such a strong role in early Victorian English chess, he is described as 'one of the writing rather than the fighting clergy in chess' in P. W. Sergeant's … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Rev. Charles Ranken (05-i-1828 12-iv-1905)
Death Anniversary of George Walker (13-iii-1803 23-iv-1879) From The Encyclopaedia of Chess by Anne Sunnucks : "Leading organiser and chess columnist in the last century. Born on 13th March 1803. Founded the Westminster Chess Club in 1831. Published New Treatise on Chess in 1832 and Chess and Chess Players in 1850. Edited the chess column … Continue reading Death Anniversary of George Walker (13-iii-1803 23-iv-1879)
![Godfrey Heathcote (20-vii-1870 24-iv-1952) [Source: Chess Pie, 1922; scanned by M.McDowell]](http://britishchessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20.07-G.Heathcote-Chess-Pie-1922.jpg "Godfrey Heathcote (20-vii-1870 24-iv-1952) [Source: Chess Pie, 1922; scanned by M.McDowell]")
From The Encyclopaedia of Chess(Robert Hale, 1970 and 1976) by Anne Sunnucks : "Problem composer, and deemed to be on of the great masters of the art. Heathcote was born on 20th July 1870 in Manchester, and died on 24th April 1952. whilst in office as the President of the British Chess Problem Society. An … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Godfrey Heathcote (20-vii-1870 24-iv-1952)
BCN wishes GM John Nunn Happy Birthday (25-iv-1955) From The Encyclopaedia of Chess by Harry Golombek : British International master and European Junior Champion, 1975. Born in London, Nunn learned chess at the age of four and soon revealed a great aptitude for the game. Graham Ladds and John Nunn. See full caption below. Supplied … Continue reading Birthday of GM John Nunn (25-iv-1955)
Malik Mir Sultan Khan Death Anniversary of Malik Mir Sultan Khan (1905 25-iv-1966) From The Encyclopedia of Chess by Hooper & Whyld : Perhaps the greatest natural player of modern times. Born in the Punjab, he learned Indian chess when he was nine, was taken into the household of Sir Umar Hay at Khan, and … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Malik Mir Sultan Khan (1905 25-iv-1966)
BCN remembers David Hooper who passed away in a Taunton (Somerset) nursing home on Sunday, May 3rd 1998. Probate (#9851310520) was granted in Brighton on June 24th 1998. Prior to the nursing home David had been living at 33, Mansfield Road, Taunton, TA1 3NJ and before that at 5, Haimes Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8AJ. … Continue reading Death Anniversary of David Hooper (31-xiii-1915 03-v-1998)
Death Anniversary of Alfred Crosskill (05-v-1904) Here is excellent article from Yorkshire Chess History An interesting article within British Endgame Study News (BESN) by John Beasley 8/3R1K1k/2r5/8/8/4B3/8/8 w - - 0 1 "White to play cannot win; Black to play loses, but it takes White 45 moves to capture the rook"
Death Anniversary of John Hugh Barrow (12-xi-1890 14-v-1943) From chesscomposers.com : "John Barrow composed direct mates and helpmates."
BCN remembers Harold Murray who passed away on Monday, May 16th, 1955. Harold James Ruthven Murray was born on Wednesday, 24th June 1868 in Camberwell, London. He was the eldest son of Sir James Augustus Henry Murray 1837–1915 and Ada Agnes Ruthven 1845–1936. Sir James was famously the first editor of the Oxford English Dictionary. … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Harold Murray (24-vi-1868 16-v-1955)