Samuel E Collins was born on Sunday, September 5th, 1982 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
He attended Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin (founded in 1950) and famously very active at chess.
Sam became a FIDE Master in 2003 and an International Master in 2004 and holds two GM norms.
His peak FIDE rating was 2495 in August 2014 at the age of 32.
According to chessgames.com :
“Collins won the Irish Championship twice, in 2002 and 2014, and the Japanese Championship in 2009.”
According to The Tarrasch Defence, move by move :
“Sam Collins is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms, and a former Irish and Japanese Champion, He has represented Ireland at seven Olympiads, winning an individual gold medal at Bled 2002. He has a wealth of teaching and writing experience, and has produced many books, DVDs and magazine articles on chess.”
According to An Opening Repertoire for White :
“Sam Collins is a chess writer who regularly contributes to Chess, British Chess Magazine, Chess Mail and Chess Today. He is a former Irish Champion and Olympic gold medal winner.”
Crosstable for Dublin City, 2007Crosstable from Budapest First Saturday GM Tournament 2008The Irish Mail on Sunday, February 8th 2015
With the white pieces Sam essays 1.e4 and prefers a main line Ruy Lopez when possible along with open Sicilians.
As the second players Sam enjoys the black side of a main line Ruy Lopez and main line Slavs.
An attacking repertoire for White by Sam Collins, Batsford, 2005.Chess explained: The c3 Sicilian by Sam Collins, Gambit Publications, 2007.The French AdvanceThe King’s Indian Defence, move by moveKarpov, move by moveUnderstanding the Chess OpeningsA Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for WhiteKnow the Terrain Vol. 6Gambit Busters, 2002The Greatest Ever Chess Strategies
Samuel E Collins was born on Sunday, September 5th, 1982 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
He attended Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin (founded in 1950) and famously very active at chess.
Sam became a FIDE Master in 2003 and an International Master in 2004 and holds two GM norms.
His peak FIDE rating was 2495 in August 2014 at the age of 32.
According to chessgames.com :
“Collins won the Irish Championship twice, in 2002 and 2014, and the Japanese Championship in 2009.”
According to The Tarrasch Defence, move by move :
“Sam Collins is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms, and a former Irish and Japanese Champion, He has represented Ireland at seven Olympiads, winning an individual gold medal at Bled 2002. He has a wealth of teaching and writing experience, and has produced many books, DVDs and magazine articles on chess.”
According to An Opening Repertoire for White :
“Sam Collins is a chess writer who regularly contributes to Chess, British Chess Magazine, Chess Mail and Chess Today. He is a former Irish Champion and Olympic gold medal winner.”
Crosstable for Dublin City, 2007Crosstable from Budapest First Saturday GM Tournament 2008The Irish Mail on Sunday, February 8th 2015
With the white pieces Sam essays 1.e4 and prefers a main line Ruy Lopez when possible along with open Sicilians.
As the second players Sam enjoys the black side of a main line Ruy Lopez and main line Slavs.
An attacking repertoire for White by Sam Collins, Batsford, 2005.Chess explained: The c3 Sicilian by Sam Collins, Gambit Publications, 2007.The French AdvanceThe King’s Indian Defence, move by moveKarpov, move by moveUnderstanding the Chess OpeningsA Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for WhiteKnow the Terrain Vol. 6Gambit Busters, 2002The Greatest Ever Chess Strategies
Samuel E Collins was born on Sunday, September 5th, 1982 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
He attended Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin (founded in 1950) and famously very active at chess.
Sam became a FIDE Master in 2003 and an International Master in 2004 and holds two GM norms.
His peak FIDE rating was 2495 in August 2014 at the age of 32.
According to chessgames.com :
“Collins won the Irish Championship twice, in 2002 and 2014, and the Japanese Championship in 2009.”
According to The Tarrasch Defence, move by move :
“Sam Collins is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms, and a former Irish and Japanese Champion, He has represented Ireland at seven Olympiads, winning an individual gold medal at Bled 2002. He has a wealth of teaching and writing experience, and has produced many books, DVDs and magazine articles on chess.”
According to An Opening Repertoire for White :
“Sam Collins is a chess writer who regularly contributes to Chess, British Chess Magazine, Chess Mail and Chess Today. He is a former Irish Champion and Olympic gold medal winner.”
Crosstable for Dublin City, 2007Crosstable from Budapest First Saturday GM Tournament 2008The Irish Mail on Sunday, February 8th 2015
With the white pieces Sam essays 1.e4 and prefers a main line Ruy Lopez when possible along with open Sicilians.
As the second players Sam enjoys the black side of a main line Ruy Lopez and main line Slavs.
An attacking repertoire for White by Sam Collins, Batsford, 2005.Chess explained: The c3 Sicilian by Sam Collins, Gambit Publications, 2007.The French AdvanceThe King’s Indian Defence, move by moveKarpov, move by moveUnderstanding the Chess OpeningsA Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for WhiteKnow the Terrain Vol. 6Gambit Busters, 2002The Greatest Ever Chess Strategies
Samuel E Collins was born on Sunday, September 5th, 1982 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
He attended Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin (founded in 1950) and famously very active at chess.
Sam became a FIDE Master in 2003 and an International Master in 2004 and holds two GM norms.
His peak FIDE rating was 2495 in August 2014 at the age of 32.
According to chessgames.com :
“Collins won the Irish Championship twice, in 2002 and 2014, and the Japanese Championship in 2009.”
According to The Tarrasch Defence, move by move :
“Sam Collins is an International Master with two Grandmaster norms, and a former Irish and Japanese Champion, He has represented Ireland at seven Olympiads, winning an individual gold medal at Bled 2002. He has a wealth of teaching and writing experience, and has produced many books, DVDs and magazine articles on chess.”
According to An Opening Repertoire for White :
“Sam Collins is a chess writer who regularly contributes to Chess, British Chess Magazine, Chess Mail and Chess Today. He is a former Irish Champion and Olympic gold medal winner.”
Crosstable for Dublin City, 2007Crosstable from Budapest First Saturday GM Tournament 2008The Irish Mail on Sunday, February 8th 2015
With the white pieces Sam essays 1.e4 and prefers a main line Ruy Lopez when possible along with open Sicilians.
As the second players Sam enjoys the black side of a main line Ruy Lopez and main line Slavs.
An attacking repertoire for White by Sam Collins, Batsford, 2005.Chess explained: The c3 Sicilian by Sam Collins, Gambit Publications, 2007.The French AdvanceThe King’s Indian Defence, move by moveKarpov, move by moveUnderstanding the Chess OpeningsA Simple Chess Opening Repertoire for WhiteKnow the Terrain Vol. 6Gambit Busters, 2002The Greatest Ever Chess Strategies
Birthday of GM Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev (26-viii-1969)
Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Arkhangelsk, Western Russia.
He became an International Master in 1993 and a Grandmaster in 2004.
He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2016.
His peak FIDE rating (according to Megabase 2020 and Felice) was 2509 in July 2002, aged 33.
(Gaige is silent on Alexander).
Alex is registered with the Russian Federation and plays for Hackney, Wood Green, Russia (unsurprisingly!) and 4NCL Barnet Knights and makes regular appearences in Richmond, Golders Green and other rapidplay event, the London Chess Classic and 4NCL.
He made his first appearance in a UK event at Hastings 1993/1994. Since 1999 he has been London based playing in many UK events.
He won the Coulsdon Easter Congress in 2007 with 7.5/9 and the Canadian Open in 2019 with 9/9
As the first player Alex mainly champions the Ruy Lopez and with the Black pieces he enjoys the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Old Indian Defence.
The Samisch King’s Indian UncoveredThe New Old IndianGM Alexander Cherniaev, Hastings 2013-2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography
Birthday of GM Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev (26-viii-1969)
Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Arkhangelsk, Western Russia.
He became an International Master in 1993 and a Grandmaster in 2004.
He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2016.
His peak FIDE rating (according to Megabase 2020 and Felice) was 2509 in July 2002, aged 33.
(Gaige is silent on Alexander).
Alex is registered with the Russian Federation and plays for Hackney, Wood Green, Russia (unsurprisingly!) and 4NCL Barnet Knights and makes regular appearences in Richmond, Golders Green and other rapidplay event, the London Chess Classic and 4NCL.
He made his first appearance in a UK event at Hastings 1993/1994. Since 1999 he has been London based playing in many UK events.
He won the Coulsdon Easter Congress in 2007 with 7.5/9 and the Canadian Open in 2019 with 9/9
As the first player Alex mainly champions the Ruy Lopez and with the Black pieces he enjoys the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Old Indian Defence.
The Samisch King’s Indian UncoveredThe New Old IndianGM Alexander Cherniaev, Hastings 2013-2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography
Birthday of GM Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev (26-viii-1969)
Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Arkhangelsk, Western Russia.
He became an International Master in 1993 and a Grandmaster in 2004.
He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2016.
His peak FIDE rating (according to Megabase 2020 and Felice) was 2509 in July 2002, aged 33.
(Gaige is silent on Alexander).
Alex is registered with the Russian Federation and plays for Hackney, Wood Green, Russia (unsurprisingly!) and 4NCL Barnet Knights and makes regular appearences in Richmond, Golders Green and other rapidplay event, the London Chess Classic and 4NCL.
He made his first appearance in a UK event at Hastings 1993/1994. Since 1999 he has been London based playing in many UK events.
He won the Coulsdon Easter Congress in 2007 with 7.5/9 and the Canadian Open in 2019 with 9/9
As the first player Alex mainly champions the Ruy Lopez and with the Black pieces he enjoys the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Old Indian Defence.
The Samisch King’s Indian UncoveredThe New Old IndianGM Alexander Cherniaev, Hastings 2013-2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography
Birthday of GM Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev (26-viii-1969)
Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Arkhangelsk, Western Russia.
He became an International Master in 1993 and a Grandmaster in 2004.
He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2016.
His peak FIDE rating (according to Megabase 2020 and Felice) was 2509 in July 2002, aged 33.
(Gaige is silent on Alexander).
Alex is registered with the Russian Federation and plays for Hackney, Wood Green, Russia (unsurprisingly!) and 4NCL Barnet Knights and makes regular appearences in Richmond, Golders Green and other rapidplay event, the London Chess Classic and 4NCL.
He made his first appearance in a UK event at Hastings 1993/1994. Since 1999 he has been London based playing in many UK events.
He won the Coulsdon Easter Congress in 2007 with 7.5/9 and the Canadian Open in 2019 with 9/9
As the first player Alex mainly champions the Ruy Lopez and with the Black pieces he enjoys the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Old Indian Defence.
The Samisch King’s Indian UncoveredThe New Old IndianGM Alexander Cherniaev, Hastings 2013-2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography
Birthday of GM Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev (26-viii-1969)
Alexander Sergeevich Cherniaev was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Arkhangelsk, Western Russia.
He became an International Master in 1993 and a Grandmaster in 2004.
He became a FIDE Senior Trainer in 2016.
His peak FIDE rating (according to Megabase 2020 and Felice) was 2509 in July 2002, aged 33.
(Gaige is silent on Alexander).
Alex is registered with the Russian Federation and plays for Hackney, Wood Green, Russia (unsurprisingly!) and 4NCL Barnet Knights and makes regular appearences in Richmond, Golders Green and other rapidplay event, the London Chess Classic and 4NCL.
He made his first appearance in a UK event at Hastings 1993/1994. Since 1999 he has been London based playing in many UK events.
He won the Coulsdon Easter Congress in 2007 with 7.5/9 and the Canadian Open in 2019 with 9/9
As the first player Alex mainly champions the Ruy Lopez and with the Black pieces he enjoys the Sveshnikov Sicilian and the Old Indian Defence.
The Samisch King’s Indian UncoveredThe New Old IndianGM Alexander Cherniaev, Hastings 2013-2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography
We remember David Pritchard who passed away on Monday, December 12th, 2005.
David Brine Pritchard was born on Sunday, October 19th, 1919. On this day the first US Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to a living female recipient, Anna Howard Shaw.
He was born in Wandsworth taking his mothers’Â Winifred maiden name of Brine (as was customary in those days). His father was Arthur Pritchard (DoB : 4th January 1890) and he was the managing director of an Engineering Company. Arthur and Winifred married in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1917.
At the time of the 1939 census David was a chiropodist and recorded as single and living in Munee Cottage, Main Street, Bedford. Main Street appears to have been renamed to Main Road which is in Biddenham. It is likely DBPs cottage was something like :
48 and 50 Main Road Biddenham, Bedford, Hertfordshire
During the second world War David joined the Royal Air Force and was stationed in the Far East and following the war, he switched to intelligence work also for the RAF. He attained the rank of Squadron Leader and played much chess during this period of his life.
In 1950 David completed his first book : The Right Way to Play Chess, Elliot Right Way Books, 1950, ISBNÂ 1-58574-046-2
The Right Way to Play Chess, Elliot Right Way Books, DB Pritchard, 1950.
(Ed : This was the first chess book of this article’s author and was thoroughly consumed!)
On page 224 of said book David wrote :
Chessplayers – and this must be whispered – are generally an egotistical, ill-mannered crowd. If they conformed to common rules of decorum these words would not have to be written
followed by
I once carried out a private survey at a well-known chess restaurant where a large number of ‘friendly’ games are always in progress. In less than 30 per cent of those observed was resignation made with a good grace. In two-thirds of the games the loser either knocked his king over, abruptly pushed the pieces into the centre of the board, started to set up the men for a fresh game, or got up and walked away without saying a word to his opponent.
Elliot Right Way Books was an excellent choice of publisher for David and only 36 minutes by car from his new home in Godalming.
He won the Singapore Championship in 1954 and the Malaysian Championship in 1955.
Visiting https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter97.html you will find two images of David and Elaine playing chess in Singapore.
David and Elaine had a daughter, Wanda on March 21st 1958. She became Wanda Dakin who was also a chess player. Wanda attended Guildford High School for Girls and then Royal Holloway College, Egham.
David was Southern Counties (SCCU) champion for the 1958-59 and 1965-66 seasons.
From the British Championships, 1959 in York we have this sparkling game with Frank Parr :
By now David had developed an interest in chess variants and board games in general.
He played in and won (several times) the Battle of Britain Chess Tournament : DBP was the organisations President.
In 1970 he brought out his third book :Â Begin Chess, David Pritchard, Elliot Right Way Books, 1952
Begin Chess by David Brine Pritchard, Elliot Right Way Books, 1970Begin Chess by David Brine Pritchard, Elliot Right Way Books, 1970
David became President of British Chess Variants Society and wrote many books on variants and indoor games.
Here is an interview compiled by Hans Bodlaender about David’s Encyclopedia of Chess Variants :
Encyclopedia of Chess Variants, DB Pritchard, GAMES & PUZZLES PUBLICATIONS, 1994
Particularly interesting was this Q&A :
Do you think computers and the Internet will have effect on chess and on chess variants? If so, in what way?
I think that the Internet will inevitably introduce chess to more players but I forsee chess variants, because of their novelty, benefitting in particular from publicity on the net. I expect variants to gain more and more adherents in the future.
David was preparing a second edition before he passed away. This was completed and made available on-line by John Beasley.
The Pritchard family lived at Badgers Wood, Hascombe Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU8 4AA in an idyllic location :
At the time of his passing he had five grand children.
From British Chess Magazine, Volume CXXVI (126, 2006), Number 2 (February), page 76 :
“David Brine Pritchard (19 x 1919 Streatham, London – 12 xiii 2005, London) has died following a fall . He was a strong amateur player and a successful author of books on chess and other games.
David Pritchard was a Squadron Leader in the RAF during the war and later rejoined it to work in intelligence. Whilst serving with the RAF he won the Malayan Chess Championships in 195, and he was also instrumental in the running the UK event known as Battle of Britain Tournament which attracted a strong field in its heyday and generated revenue for the RAF Benevolent Fund.
He was a dangerous. attacking played who scored a number of notable scalps in the British Championship including Penrose and Miles, without ever achieving the consistency required to challenge for the leading positions. He won the Southern Counties championships in 1959 and 1966.
As an author, Pritchard’s most successful book was The Right Way to Play Chess (Elliott, 1950, with numerous reprints). which is still to be found for sale in many British bookshops.
He will also be remembered as a leading authority on chess variants : he was reported to be in the process of preparing a second edition of The Encyclopedia of Chess Variants (1994) at the time of his death. He was also a very good correspondence player, an inventor composer of chess puzzles of all sorts (some of which appeared in BCM) and his interest in Fairy chess dated back to the 1940s.
His wife Elaine Pritchard, the leading woman player of the 1950s and 1960s, and their daughter Wanda (who also played competitive chess) survive him. We send them our condolences on behalf of BCM and its readers.”
David Pritchard (19-x-1919 12-xii-2005), Passport photograph
He was a leading member of Godalming Chess Club and played in the Surrey Border League.
The David Pritchard Shield from the Surrey Border League
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