BCN wishes Nigel Short a happy birthday on this day (June 1st) in 1965. In the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours List Nigel was awarded the MBE. The citation read simply : "For services to Chess". Here is his extensive Wikipedia entry. For the 1979 Spassky vs the BCF Junior Squad simultaneous display this was written … Continue reading Birthday of GM Nigel Short (01-vi-1965)
BCN wishes many Happy Returns to IM Jovanka Houska ! (10-vi-1980) From Wikipedia : Jovanka Houska is an English chess player with the titles International Master (IM) and Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She is an eight-time winner of the British Women's Chess Championship. Jovanka Houska, photographer unknown Jovanka was born in London and became a Women's … Continue reading Birthday of IM Jovanka Houska (10-vi-1980)
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)
BCN wishes IM Matthew Wadsworth Happy Birthday this day (June 27th) in 2021. Previously we reported : FM Matthew Wadsworth, one of England's most promising young players, has earned his first Grandmaster norm from his excellent performance in the Four Nations Chess League (4NCL). Matthew, who is twenty, has a current FIDE standard play rating … Continue reading Birthday of IM Matthew Wadsworth (27-vi-2000)
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 wishes FIDE Master Bernard Cafferty best wishes on his 87th birthday, June 27th in 1934. Bernard Cafferty, location, date and photographer unknown On 14th December, 1968, Bernard gave a simultaneous exhibition held at Anglesey School, Burton. He played 17, won 16 and lost 1 to Trevor Bould who was already Burton Champion, photograph from … Continue reading Birthday of FM Bernard Cafferty (27-vi-1934)
BCN sends IM Robert Bellin best wishes on his birthday, this day (the 30th of June) in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk Robert was awarded the IM title in 1977. He was outright British Champion in 1979 in Chester having tied first equal (with six others) in 1974 in Clacton. The play-off was won by George Botterill. … Continue reading Birthday of IM Robert Bellin (30-vi-1952)