BCN wishes Happy Birthday to GM Jacob Aagaard (31-vii-1973) Jacob was born in Hørsholm in Denmark. He became an International Master in 1997 and a Grandmaster in 2007. His peak FIDE rating was 2542 in May 2010 aged 36. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcsB9PrXXAk Jacob is the owner of publishing house, Quality Chess and works with IM Andrew Greet. … Continue reading Birthday of GM Jacob Aagaard (31-vii-1973)
We send best wishes to GM Nigel Davies on his birthday, this day (July 31st) in 1960. Nigel Rodney Davies was born in Southport, Merseyside. He lived in the Wirral, Merseyside, moved to Sidcup and then to St. Helen's, Merseyside where he resides with his chess playing son, Sam who is ECF 1928A currently. In … Continue reading Birthday of GM Nigel Davies (31-vii-1960)
BCN remembers CM David Anderton OBE who passed away on Friday, April 1st, 2022 aged 80. In the 1977 New Years Honours List, Civil Division, David was awarded the OBE. The citation read simply : “For services to Chess” David William Anderton was born in the district of Walsall, Staffordshire, West Midlands. His mother's maiden … Continue reading Death Anniversary of CM David Anderton OBE (02-viii-1941 01-iv-2022)
Birthday of FM Samuel Gideon A Franklin (03-viii-1994) FM Samuel GA Franklin from the Varsity Match, 9th March 2014, courtesy of John Upham Photography FM Samuel GA Franklin from the London Chess Classic, 29th December 2013.
Birthday of IM Angus Dunnington (09-viii-1967) Angus James Dunnington was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, his mother's maiden name was Townend. He has lived in Castleford, West Yorkshire and most recently in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire. Angus became a FIDE Master in 1990 and an International Master in 1991. Angus has been a recipient of a Chess … Continue reading Birthday of IM Angus Dunnington (09-viii-1967)
IM William Hartston, FIDE Candidates, 2013, courtesy of John Upham Photography On the "glorious twelfth" of August we celebrate the birthday of one of England's most popular chess players and writers, IM Bill Hartston. William Roland Hartston was born in Willesden, Middlesex on Tuesday, August 12th, 1947. His father was William Hartston, a significant member … Continue reading Birthday of IM Bill Hartston (12-viii-1947)
BCN wishes Happy Birthday to FM Andrew Smith (15-viii-1959) Andrew became a FIDE Master in 1994 and is registered with the Irish Chess Union. His highest FIDE rating was 2310 in July 1994 at the age of 35. FM Andrew Smith, photographer unknown He plays for Bourne End Chess Club in the Buckinghamshire League and … Continue reading Birthday of FM Andrew Smith (15-viii-1959)
Ninety-two today is Leonard Barden, born Tuesday, August 20th, 1929. His mother's maiden was Bartholomew and she became Elise EM Barden when she married Leonard's father who was William C Barden and in 1939 they lived at 89, Tennison Road, Croydon. 89, Tennison Road, Croydon From The Encyclopedia of Chess (Batsford, 1977) by Harry Golombek … Continue reading Birthday of Leonard Barden (20-viii-1929)
BCN wishes Happy Birthday to Dinah Norman on August 21st Dinah Margaret Dobson was born on Wednesday, August 21st 1946 in Exeter, Devon. Her parents were Leslie and Barbara Dobson (née Hayward). Some of the participants in the Paul Keres display on November 25th, 1962, at St Pancras Town Hall, London WC1. Back row : … Continue reading Birthday of WCM Dinah Norman (née Dobson) (21-viii-1946)
Death Anniversary of Ernst Klein (29-i-1910 22-viii-1990) From CHESS, July 1946 (and also The Anglo-Soviet Radio Chess Match) : Since Ernst Klein came to England in 1935 his play has earned our ungrudging admiration. Born in Vienna, 1910, he learned chess at the age of eleven. His grandmother taught him the moves, his father having … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Ernst Klein (29-i-1910 22-viii-1990)
BCN offers best wishes to Aaron Summerscale on his 52nd birthday. Aaron Piers Summerscale was born on Tuesday, August 26th 1969 in Westminster, Greater London. His mother's maiden name is Mayall. Aaron lives in SW18 and teaches chess. He married Claire Lusher (Basingstoke) but they are now separated. Aaron Summerscale He became a FIDE Master … Continue reading Birthday of GM Aaron Summerscale (26-viii-1969)
We offer best wishes to GM Daniel King on his birthday Daniel John King was born on Wednesday, August 28th 1963 (the same day as the Martin Luther King "I have a dream" speech) in Beckenham, Kent. He attended Langley Park School whose motto is "Mores et Studia" meaning "good character and learning" or "morals … Continue reading Birthday of GM Daniel King (28-viii-1963)
BCN remembers Joseph Blackburne (10-xii-1841 01-ix-1924) The following (excerpts of) information were obtained via ancestry.co.uk / findmypast.co.uk: Joseph Henry Blackburne was born on Friday, December 10th, 1841 in Chorlton, Manchester. His father was Joseph Blackburn (aged 23, a temperance reformer) and his mother was Ann Pritchard (aged 24). He had eight sons and five daughters. … Continue reading Death Anniversary of Joseph Blackburne (10-xii-1841 01-ix-1924)