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DTSTART:20190101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200917
DTSTAMP:20200914T094901Z
CREATED:20200409T133157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200914T094901Z
UID:4260-1600214400-1600300799@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of FM John Littlewood (25-v-1931 16-ix-2009)
DESCRIPTION:John Eric Littlewood was born in Sheffield on Wednesday\, September 16th 1931. His mother’s maiden name was Wheeldon. He last resided in the WN8 postal area of Skelmersdale\, Lancashire. \nHe became a FIDE Master in 1989 at the age of 58. According to Felice his peak FIDE rating was 2395 in January 1980. However\, it is almost certain that it would have been higher than that\, in the 1960s and 1970s. \nJohn\, Jenny and Paul Littlewood\, circa 1962. Kindly supplied by Paul Littlewood.\nHe coached his son Paul who became British Champion in 1981. His brother Norman was also a very strong player. \nJohn and Paul on Skegness beach circa 1958. Kindly supplied by Paul Littlewood. George and Ringo are out of shot !\nFrom “Chess Coaching” : \nJohn Littlewood is a National Coach and the Director of Junior Chess to the British Chess Federation. He is a FIDE Master with national and international playing experience\, and is an established chess write\, translator and journalist. \n03-01-1962 37th Hastings International Chess Congress\, 1962. World Champion Mikhail Botvinnik (R) playing against John Littlewood of England\nFrom “Learn Chess 2” \n“A British Master\, formerly Northern Counties Champion and currently (1984) a National Coach for the British Chess Federation. John Littlewood has played for England in several international tournaments\, including two Olympiads” \nJohn Littlewood giving a simultaneous display\nJohn Was Northern Counties Chess Union (NCCU) Champion in 1971\, 1972\, 1977\, 1978\, 1979\, 1980 and 1981 : a record seven times ! \nJohn with chess friends\n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nJohn won the Appleby-Frodingham Chess Club tournament in 1962 with 3.5/5 : \nAppleby-Frodingham Tournament of 1962 crosstable\nand then\, in the same year came 3= in the British Championships with 7.5/11 : \nTruncated crosstable from the 1962 British Championship in Whitby\nand in 1969 in Rhyl John was unfortunate not to share the title with Dr. Jonathan Penrose after losing to Frank Parr in the final round : \nTruncated crosstable of the British Championships of Rhyl 1969\nJohn Littlewood at Hastings 1963-4. Still taken from Pathe news reel footage\nJohn Littlewood playing Wolfgang Unzicker in round one of the 1969-70 Hastings International Congress\nJohn won the Southport Open in 1972 and the picture below was taken shortly afterwards : \nJohn and family following winning the 1972 Southport Open. See the BCM article below for a full caption\nJohn won the Chorley tournament of 1977 with 7/9 \nChorley 1977 tournament crosstable\nJEL won the British Chess Federation’s President’s Award in 2000. \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nFM John Littlewood at 4NCL courtesy of Helen Milligan\nIn 2006 John won the BCF Veterans / Seniors title for the first time repeating the feat in 2008 sharing with George Dickson. \nWith the White pieces John almost exclusively played 1.e4 favouring the Wormald Attack\, Open Sicilians and the Rossolimo variation. \nAs the second player John played the Closed Ruy Lopez\, the Sicilian Dragon and the Grünfeld defence. \nIn the following video IM Andrew Martin discusses the game Bisguier – Littlewood\, 1962. \n\n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nRather than reinventing an already round wheel we reproduce the following ten page tribute in the October 2009 issue of British Chess Magazine. The tribute is by John Saunders : \nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 536\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 537\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 538\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 539\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 540\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 541\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 542\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 543\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 544\nBritish Chess Magazine\, Volume CXXIV (129)\, 2009\, Number 10\, October\, page 545\nA rather detailed article from Tartajubow on Chess II \nHere is how news of his passing was received on the English Chess Forum \nHere is an obituary from Leonard Barden in The Guardian \nHere is an obituary published in The Times of London \nFarewell to John Littlewood : The Lincolnshire Poacher \nand\, finally a history of JEL from the Yorkshire Chess Archives \nFM John Littlewood (25-v-1931 16-ix-2009)\nHere is John’s Wikipedia entry \nHow to Play the Middle Game in Chess by John Littlewood\, Collins\, 1974\nChess Coaching by John Littlewood\, The Crowood Press\, 1991\nLearn Chess by Edward Penn and John Littlewood\, Pitman House\, 1980\nLearn Chess : Teacher’s Book\,  by Edward Penn & John Littlewood\, Pitman House\, 1980\nLearn Chess 2 by John Littlewood\, Adam & Charles Black\, 1984\nFM John Littlewood (25-v-1931 16-ix-2009)\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-fm-john-eric-littlewood-25-v-1931-16-ix-2009/
CATEGORIES:Death Anniversary,History,Player
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200916
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200917
DTSTAMP:20210916T134921Z
CREATED:20200716T112733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210916T134921Z
UID:7452-1600214400-1600300799@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of Frank Boyd (16-ix-1935)
DESCRIPTION:He was British Correspondence Champion in 1972 and awarded the IMC title in 1981. \nAccording to Kings Indian I Attacking Systems : \n“British Correspondence Champions  1971/72. Placed second in an ICCF master tourney 1973/76. A member of the British team in the 9th Olympiad 1977/80. Gained the IMC title in the European Team Championship 1978/81.” \nAccording to Chessbase Correspondence Database 2020 Frank achieved his highest (ICCF) rating in January 1991 of 2410. \nIncomplete crosstable from the European Championship\, 1973.\nAs White Frank would play the Queen’s Gambit via a 1.Nf3 move order. He did not play 1.e4 \nAs the second player he would defend the closed Ruy Lopez and the Nimzo-Indian Defence. \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nKing’s Indian I by Frank Boyd\, Chess Praxis\, 1981\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-frank-boyd-16-ix-1935/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Correspondence,Player,Writer
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200917
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200918
DTSTAMP:20260816T135559Z
CREATED:20200411T184304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T135559Z
UID:4492-1600300800-1600387199@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM James E Vigus (17-ix-1978)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM James E Vigus (17-ix-1978) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-james-e-vigus-17-ix-1978/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200918
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200919
DTSTAMP:20200918T090155Z
CREATED:20200918T001027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200918T090155Z
UID:1372-1600387200-1600473599@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of IM Richard Palliser (18-ix-1981)
DESCRIPTION:We wish IM Richard Palliser all the very best on his birthday \nRichard Julian David Palliser was born September 18th in 1981 in Birmingham\, West Midlands. His mother’s maiden name was Hyde. \nHe became a FIDE Master in 2000 and an International Master in 2001. \nRichard Palliser\nHis peak FIDE rating (according to Felice and Megabase 2020) was 2482 in July 2012 at the age of 31. \nIn 1995 Richard was joint British U13 Champion together with David Hodge and Richard S. Jones. \nPalliser was joint British Rapidplay Chess Champion in 2006. He writes regularly for ChessMoves and “Everyman Chess” who also employ him as an editor and advisor. \nRichard represents in matches 4NCL White Rose\, York RI\, Yorkshire CA\, and ‘Eagle and Child’ \nAccording to “Play 1.d4!” : \n“is an international master and recipient of a special British Chess Federation young player’s award for achievement. In addition to being a very active tournament and match player he also writes regularly for CHESS magazine and other periodicals and is noted for his theoretical knowledge and analytical ability.” \nIM Richard Palliser at the King’s Place  Rapidplay\, 2013.\n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nAccording to “tango!” : \n“His debut book Play 1.d4! was very well received by critics and the chess public alike” \nHis handle on the Internet Chess Club is “worcester”. \nIM Richard Palliser\nWith the White pieces Richard plays 1.d4(!) and the Queen’ Gambit\, Exchange Variation is the main weapon of choice. \nAs the second player Richard plays the Sicilian Najdorf and the King’s Indian Defence. \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nIM Richard Palliser and IM Jovanka Houska\, British Championships\, 2019\nRichard is Editor of “CHESS”  and has authored a number of publications : \nPlay 1.d4 !\, Batsford\, 2003\nPalliser\, Richard (2005). Tango! A Dynamic Answer to 1 d4. Everyman Chess. ISBN 1-85744-388-8. \nTango! A Dynamic Answer to 1 d4\nPalliser\, Richard (2006). Beating Unusual Chess Openings. Everyman Chess. ISBN 1-85744-429-9. \nBeating Unusual Chess Openings\nPalliser\, Richard (2006). Starting Out: Closed Sicilian. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-414-8. \nStarting Out: Closed Sicilian\nPalliser\, Richard (2007). Starting Out: Scilian Najdorf. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-601-2. \nStarting Out: Scilian Najdorf\nPalliser\, Richard (2007). Starting out: the Colle. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-527-5. \nStarting out: the Colle\nThe Complete Chess Workout\, Everyman\, 2007\nPalliser\, Richard; Kosten\, Tony; Vigus\, James (2008). Dangerous Weapons: Flank Openings. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-583-1. \nDangerous Weapons: Flank Openings\nPalliser\, Richard (2008). Starting out: d-pawn attacks. The Colle-Zukertort\, Barry and 150 Attacks. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-578-7. \nStarting out: d-pawn attacks\nPalliser\, Richard (2009). Starting Out: the Trompowsky Attack. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-562-6. \nStarting Out: the Trompowsky Attack\nPalliser\, Richard; Williams\, Simon; Vigus\, James (2010). Dangerous Weapons: The Dutch. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-624-1. \nDangerous Weapons: The Dutch\nDangerous Weapons  : The Caro-Kann\, Everyman\, 2010\nThe Complete Chess Workout II\, Everyman\, 2012\nIM Richard Palliser\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-richard-palliser/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,British Championships,Player,Writer
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200919
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200920
DTSTAMP:20200918T101025Z
CREATED:20200401T103455Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200918T101025Z
UID:3904-1600473600-1600559999@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM Daniel Abbas (19-ix-1999)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM Daniel Abbas (19-ix-1999) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-daniel-abbas-19-ix-1999/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://britishchessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/JUA7139-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200920
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200921
DTSTAMP:20210920T230058Z
CREATED:20200407T201752Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210920T230058Z
UID:4141-1600560000-1600646399@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM James Cavendish (20-ix-1972)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM James Cavendish (20-ix-1972) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-james-cavendish-20-ix-1972/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200920
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200921
DTSTAMP:20260816T135607Z
CREATED:20200411T224210Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T135607Z
UID:4527-1600560000-1600646399@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM Timothy Woodward (20-ix-1986)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM Timothy DM Woodward (20-ix-1986) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-timothy-dm-woodward-20-ix-1986/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200922
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200923
DTSTAMP:20210922T120400Z
CREATED:20200403T163624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210922T120400Z
UID:4021-1600732800-1600819199@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM Daniel Bisby (22-ix-1978)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM Daniel L Bisby (22-ix-1978) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-daniel-l-bisby-22-ix-1978/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200924
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200925
DTSTAMP:20210924T120919Z
CREATED:20190822T162717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210924T120919Z
UID:994-1600905600-1600991999@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of WIM Rowena Bruce (15-v-1919 24-ix-1999)
DESCRIPTION:We remember WIM Rowena Bruce who died this day (September 24th) in 1999. \nRowena Mary Dew was born on Thursday\, May 15th\, 1919 in Plymouth\, Devon. Her father was Clement Warner Harvey Dew and her mother was Mary Jane Rowe. \nThe Bruce and Dew families circa 1923. Rowena is at the front and on the right aged around four years. Source : ancestry.co.uk\nShe married Ronald Mackay Bruce in July 1940 when she was 21 years old. \nHer father Clement Warner Harvey passed away on 7 October 1957 in Plymouth\, Devon\, at the age of 79. Her mother Mary Jane passed away on 3 August 1958 in Cornwall at the age of 73. Her husband Ronald Mackay passed away in April 1991 in Plymouth\, Devon\, at the age of 87. They had been married 50 years. \nFrom The Anglo-Soviet Radio Chess Match by Klein and Winter : \n“Mrs RM Bruce was born in Plymouth in 1919\, and learned chess at the age of twelve. She won the Girls’s World Championship in 1935 and the British Ladies Championship in 1937. During the war she served with the WVS in Plymouth. Apart from chess\, she is interested in music and plays the cello. \nRowena practising the cello. Courtesy of Keverel Chess\nShe is married to RM Bruce\, who is a well-known Plymouth player.” \nIn 1984 both Rowena and Ron received the BCF President’s Award for Services to Chess. \nFrom British Chess (Pergamon Press\, 1983) by Botterill\, Levy\, Rice and Richardson : \n“I was taught by my Mother Mrs. May Dew\, when recovering from a mastoid operation in 1930\, and I joined Plymouth Chess Club on 5th November 1931\, aged 12.5. \nI started receiving chess tuition from the Plymouth Match Captain\, Ronald Bruce in 1934. (Married him in 1940!). \nI won the Girls’ World Championship in 1935. I won the British Ladies’ Championship for the first time in 1937\, and again in 1950\, 1951\, 1954\, 1959\, 1960\, 1962 and 1963. I tied for first place in 1955\, 1967 and 1969. \nI represented Great Britain in the West European Zonal tournament held in Venice 1951\, where I finished 2nd. This qualified me to represent Great Britain in the Candidates tournament held in Moscow in 1952. I finished 12th out of 16. \nWorld Chess Championship (Women)1952 Candidates Tournament\nIn 1952 we adopted a little girl – Rona Mary. \nOther tournaments abroad included zonals in Italy\, Yugoslavia and Germany\, and Olympiads in Germany\, Poland and Bulgaria. \nThis last-named ended in disaster because I collapsed with a stroke during my second game. Obviously my chess playing was affected\, but I was indeed fortunate to make a fairly good recovery. \nWIM Rowena Mary Bruce at the 1952 Moscow Candidates tournament\nI returned to competitive chess playing a year later but\, in the meantime\, several young players have surged forwards\, and that British Ladies’ Championship seems to have become much more difficult to win ! \nBut I now have three grandchildren! \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nBCN is grateful to WCM Dinah Norman for sending us these memories : \n“Rowena Mary Bruce (need Dew) was born on 15 May 1919 and died in Plymouth in 1999. Rowena was the youngest of 3 children born to Harvey and Mary Dew. Mary Dew was a member of the Plymouth Chess Club and tried unsuccessfully to get her 2 sons interested in the game but Rowena was the only child who was interested. \nWhen Rowena was 10 her mother organised private lessons for her with the Plymouth Champion\, Ron Bruce. At the age of 21 Rowena married Ron Bruce and it was a very successful and happy marriage. They had an adopted daughter Rona who had no interest in Chess. Rowena had to wait until she was 21 before she could marry Ron. Rowena lived in Plymouth all her life.  \nRowena and Ron married in July 1940. Ron and Rowena cemented a formidable playing and organising partnership which benefited chess in Devon for almost half a century. \nA stern-looking Rowena offers advice to one of the juniors at the WECU Congress\, Easter 1951\, in the analysis room at the Penolver Hotel\, Newquay. Courtesy of Keverel Chess\nAfter the War Rowena was one of the leading quartet of British Lady players which included Elaine Pritchard (née Saunders)\, Anne Sunnucks and Eileen Tranmer. In 1951 Rowena played in the Ladies Zonal in Venice and qualified for the Candidates in Moscow to be played the following year. \nAT the age of 53 she qualified for the East European Zonal in Sofia\, Bulgaria in 1972. Sadly in Round 2 of that event she collapsed at the board with a major cerebral haemorrhage which left her right side paralysed. By sheer force of will after many months of convalescence she taught herself to speak and walk again. She had to give up playing her cello which was awful for her. \nLadies Chess Tournament Fenny Heemskerk\, Rowena Mary Bruce (née Dew)\, Donner\, Architect Date: January 12\, 1953 Personal name: Architect\, \, Bruce\, R.\, Donner\, \, Heemskerk\, Fenny Institution name: Block Chess Tournament – Image ID: 2ARK3JK\nThe steely determination with which she followed her 75 year chess career and her recovery from serious illness belied her gentle nature. She was a modest\, kind and gracious person who always thought the best of others. \nShe won the British Ladies title 11 times. \nI shared the title with her in 1967 and 1969 after 2 play offs. She was a very pleasant and sporting opponent.” \nFrom The Encyclopedia of Chess (Robert Hale\, 1970 & 1976) by Anne Sunnucks : \n“International Woman Chess Master and winner of the British Ladies Championship on 10 occasions. \nShe was taught to pay chess by her mother\, who was the Devon Lady Champion\, after a mastoid operation when she was 10. In 1931 she joined Plymouth Chess Club\, where she met R. M. Bruce\, the Devonshire Chess Captain\, who coached her and was largely responsible for later success. She married him in 1940. \nOpening Ladies Danlon chess tournament in Amsterdam\, v.l.n.r. T. Roodzant\, F. Heemskerk\, I. Larsen\, L. Timofeeva\, E. Rinder\, R. Bruce Date: October 21\, 1959 Location: Amsterdam\, Noord-Holland Keywords: group portraits\, chess Person Name: Bruce\, Rowena Mary\, Heemskerk\, Fenny \, Larsen\, I.\, Rinder\, Elfriede\, Roodzant\, Toos\, Timofeeva. Lidia – Image ID: 2AW6KHJ\nIn 1935 she won the Girls’ World Championship and two years later the British Ladies’ Championship for the first time. She has won the title outright or been joint holder on 10 occasions in 1937\, 1950\, 1951\, 1954\, 1955\, 1959\, 1960\, 1962\, 1963 and 1967. \nMrs Bruce has represented Great Britain in matches against the USSR and the Netherlands and the British Chess Federation in qualifying tournaments for the Women’s World Championship. In Venice in 1951 she came 2nd in the Western European Qualifying Tournament for the Women’s World Championship and thereby qualified for the Candidates tournament in 1952\, when she came 12th out of 16. \nRowena at the 1952 Moscow Zonal tournament. Courtesy of Keverel Chess\nApart from chess\, her hobbies are music\, gardening and bridge. \nShe is principal ‘cellist in the Plymouth Orchestral Society.” \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nAn obituary (presumably written by John Saunders) appeared in the British Chess Magazine\, Volume CXIX (119\, 1999)\, Number 11 (November)\, page 584 : \n“Rowena Bruce died peacefully at home on 23 September following a long illness. Rowena Mary Dew was born in Plymouth on 15 May 1919\, and she was taught the game at the age of 10\, while she was convalescing from surgery\, by here mother Mary Dew\, herself a very able player who had been Devon Ladies’ Champion. \nRowena joined the Plymouth Chess Club\, where she met her future husband\, Ron Bruce\, himself a strong player. She won the World Girls’ Championship in 1935 and the British Women’s title two years later. Rowena married Ron in 1940 and won the British title under her married name ten more times (seven outright and three jointly) between 1950 and 1969. \nShe represented Great Britain in matches against the USSR and the Netherlands. She qualified for the Women’s World Championship by coming 2nd in the Western European Zonal in Venice\, and in the subsequent Candidates tournament in Moscow in 1952 she came 12th out of 16. She was awarded the women’s international master title in 1951. \nRowena locking horns with her friend Fenny Heemskerk\, who finished in a magnificent 2nd place. Courtesy of Keverel Chess\nThe contribution to chess that Rowena and Ron Bruce made to national\, west country and Devon chess was well recognised at the highest level\, and when the British Chess Federation instituted a new award in 1983\, the President’s Award for Services to Chess\, they won it jointly in only its second year. Ron died in 1991. \nRowena was a past president of the Devon County Chess Association and the West of England Chess Union and continued playing for Devon until about four years ago when her increasing frailty made it impossible for her to travel to away matches. \nHer other accomplishments included music : she was a principal cellist in the Plymouth Orchestral Society. She also partnered husband Ron in strictly non-competitive bridge for many years. She leaves a daughter Rona and three grand-children.” \nWIM Rowena Mary Bruce\nFrom The Encyclopedia of Chess (Batsfords\, 1977) by Harry Golombek : \n“International Woman master and eleven times British Ladies champion or co-champion. \nAt the age of fifteen in 1935\, Miss Dew won the girls World championship and two years later\, still under he maiden name\, se won the British Ladies championship at Blackpool. Thereafter she won the championship under her married name in 1950\, 1951\, 1954\, 1955\, 1959\, 1960\, 1962\, 1963\, 1967 and 1969. \nHer best international result was a 2nd in the 1951 Western European Zonal tournament\, qualifying for the Women’s Candidates tournament in Moscow 1952\, where she came 12th/16. She has represented England in a number of team events\, has excellent combinative powers\, but lacks steadiness in strategy.” \nRowena (far left) during the 1952 Moscow Candidates tournament. Courtesy of Keverel Chess\n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nDavid Hooper (seated right) in play at the West of England Championships in Bristol\, Easter\, 1947. His opponent \, ARB Thomas \, was that year’s champion. Among the spectators is Mrs. Rowena Bruce\, the 1946 British Ladies’ Champion. BCM\, Volume 118\, #6\, p.327. The others in the photo are L – R: H. V. Trevenen; H. Wilson-Osborne (WECU President); R. A. (Ron) Slade; Rowena Bruce; Ron Bruce; H. V. (Harry) Mallison; Chris Sullivan; C. Welch (Controller); F. E. A. (Frank) Kitto.\nHere is an interesting article from Tartajubow on Chess \nFrom Wikipedia : \n“Rowena Mary Bruce (15 May 1919 – 24 September 1999)\, née Dew\, was an English chess player who held the title of Woman International Master (WIM\, 1951). She was an eleven-time winner of the British Women’s Chess Championship (1937\, 1950\, 1951\, 1954\, 1955\, 1959\, 1960\, 1962\, 1963\, 1967 and 1969). \nBiography\nFrom the end of the 1930s to the end of the 1960s\, she was one of England’s strongest women chess players. In 1935\, she won the FIDE World Girls Championship. Rowena Mary Bruce won the British Women’s Chess Championship eleven times: 1937\, 1950\, 1951\, 1954\, 1955\, 1959\, 1960\, 1962\, 1963\, 1967 and 1969[1]. In 1952\, in Moscow\, she participated in the Women’s Candidates Tournament where she took 12th place[2]. In 1951\, she was awarded the FIDE Woman International Master (WIM) title. \nOn 21 June 1946\, Bruce played (and lost) a “radio chess” match against Lydmilla Rudenko. Bruce was one of two women who were part of a twelve member British team who played in a four day tournament. The British team played their moves in London while the Russian team played their moves in Moscow.” \nRowena with Spassky and the Lord Mayor of Plymouth\, Alderman Pascho.\n“Rowena Mary Bruce played for England in the Women’s Chess Olympiads: \nIn 1966\, at second board in the 3rd Chess Olympiad (women) in Oberhausen (+5\, =5\, -2) where she won an individual silver medal\, and\nIn 1969\, at second board in the 4th Chess Olympiad (women) in Lublin (+5\, =3\, -6).\nFrom 1940 to 1991 she was married to Ronald Bruce (1903–1991)” \nWIM Eileen Betsy Tranmer & WIM Rowena Mary Bruce\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-rowena-mary-bruce/
CATEGORIES:Death Anniversary,History,Player
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://britishchessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG-3.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200925
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200926
DTSTAMP:20210922T122207Z
CREATED:20200408T204250Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210922T122207Z
UID:4213-1600992000-1601078399@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM Neil Dickenson (25-ix-1964)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM Neil F Dickenson (25-ix-1964) \n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-neil-f-dickenson-25-ix-1964/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200926
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200927
DTSTAMP:20210925T140242Z
CREATED:20190823T001025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210925T140242Z
UID:1122-1601078400-1601164799@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Death Anniversary of WIM Eileen Tranmer (05-v-1910 26-ix-1983)
DESCRIPTION:We remember WIM Eileen Betsy Tranmer who passed away on September 26th\, 1983. \nEileen Tranmer\nShe was the first English woman to be awarded by FIDE the Woman’s International Master title in 1950. \n“From The Anglo-Soviet Radio Chess Match by Klein and Winter : \nMiss E. Tranmer was born in Scarborough\, North Yorkshire in 1910\, and learned chess at the age of six. She did not take it up seriously\, however\, until 1936. Under the tuition of W. Winter she has made notable progress\, and her performances include a second prize in the British Correspondence Championship 1944\, as well as first prize in one of the subsidiary tournaments at Hastings\, 1945. \nBy profession Miss Tranmer is a musician and has played principal clarinet in the Scottish and Sadler’s Wells Orchestras.” \nFrom British Chess Magazine\, Volume CIII (103\, 1983)\, Number 11 (November)\, page 482-83 (presumably written by Bernard Cafferty) : \n“Eileen Tranmer died in hospital at Ticehurst on September 26th after a long illness. Born in Scarborough\, May 5th 1910\, she was a professional clarinet player and played in a number of prominent British orchestras till forced to retire by deafness. \nMandatory Credit: Photo by ANL/Shutterstock (3880870a)Miss Eileen Tranmer The British Women’s Chess Champion Pictured Here Playing A Clarinet In The Orchestra While Appearing At The Theatre Royal Glasgow.\nOne of the leading British players in the two decades after the war\, Eileen won the British Ladies Championship in 1947\, 1949 (with a 100% score)\, 1953 and 1961\, and played in the British Championship at Buxton\, 1950. Her international record was sparse\, as was the case with nearly all English players of that period. Nevertheless\, she made her mark in the 1949-50 first post-war Women’s World Championship where she finished 5-7th in a field of 16\, beating Bykova\, again\, and finished 7th in the field of 16. \n37th Hastings International Chess Congress\, 1962. USA Ladies champion Lisa Lane (L) playing against British Champion Eileen Tranmer\nWe are grateful to WCM Dinah Norman for sending us these memories : \n“Eileen Tranmer was one of the best English chess lady players of her generation. \nI only played her once at Oxford in an International Ladies Tournament held between 24 July and 1 August 1971. Eileen totally outplayed me and I lost the game. \nEileen was a member of Acton Chess Club where there were three active lady players at that time. They were Jean Rogers\, Olive Chataway and Eileen. Eileen lived in Acton then. \nMandatory Credit: Photo by ANL/Shutterstock (3880957a)Miss Eileen Tranmer The British Women’s Chess Champion.Miss Eileen Tranmer The British Women’s Chess Champion.\nEileen was a professional musician and had to stop playing when she became deaf which was dreadful for her. \nIn 1969 Eileen\, Rowena Bruce and I were selected to play in the Ladies Chess Olympiad Team in Lublin\, Poland. Sadly Eileen was taken ill just before the event so Rowena and I had to play all 13 rounds without a break. I was on Board 1 and at the end Rowena and I were exhausted and I had to withdraw from a tournament in the Czech Republic without playing a game. The food in Poland was awful so we said never again! \n  \nMandatory Credit: Photo by ANL/Shutterstock (3880958a)Miss Eileen Tranmer The British Women’s Champion Chess Player Pictured Playing Some Of The Glasgow Ladies Chess Club At The Green’s Playhouse Cafe Glasgow.Miss Eileen Tranmer The British Women’s Champion Chess Player Pictured Playing Some Of The Glasgow Ladies Chess Club At The Green’s Playhouse Cafe Glasgow.\nEileen was very friendly with Harry Golombek. The expectation among the lady chess players was that they would get married but she never did. Harry did not drive and Eileen was very kind driving Harry and his elderly mother around. \nVery sadly Eileen’s brother was killed in a car crash and after that Eileen suffered mental problems. Eileen lived near John and Jean Rogers and John said Eileen would turn up at their home in the middle of the night wanting to play chess. \nAt Hastings 1959-1960 : Yugoslavia’s red-haired Milanka Lazarevic and Britain’s Eileen Tranmer ran away with the Premier Reserves (afternoon event).\nThe last time I saw Eileen was at Paignton. Her friend Olive Chataway brought her to Paignton and Eileen played in the bottom tournament and did badly. Eileen did not recognise myself or Rowena which was very sad. \n  \nMandatory Credit: Photo by ANL/Shutterstock (4745287a)Miss Eileen Tranmer 43-year-old British Women’s Chess Champion. Box 556.Miss Eileen Tranmer 43-year-old British Women’s Chess Champion. Box 556.\nEileen later left Acton and moved to Tring. Eileen was a pleasant and modest person and was well liked. She had a good sense of humour.” \nFrom the obituary in The Times of London we learn that her last few years were over-shadowed by an illness that preyed on her mind. \nWe take the following game from the August 1944 issue of BCM. The game was played in the BCCA Championship\, and curiously enough there was an enquiry about that event to the BCF only a short while ago – a Georgian journalist wishes to quote that wartime performance as an early example of success by a woman in male chess company! ” \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nGerald Abrahams in Not only Chess\, wrote about Eileen (Chapter 18 : What Achilles Saw Among Women) as follows : \n“To revert to the British Ladies\, they were joined in the late 1930s by a very able pupil of Miss Menchik\, the Yorkshire Clarinettist Eileen Tranmer; a woman whose chess I have seen to express some admirable qualities of mind and character. I had the privilege of watching her is Moscow in 1949-50\, when\, handicapped by influenza of a particularly virulent kind – what the Russians call “grippe” – she won some five or six consecutive games\, to finish in the prize list of the new official Women’s World Championship. There had been two championships before\, which Vera has won easily. Since Vera had unhappily perished in the Blitz\, they looked at Moscow for her successor.” \nHere is her Wikipedia entry \n\n\n \n\n\n    \n        \n            You must activate JavaScript to enhance chess game visualization.        \n    \n    \n    \n\n\n \n\nWIM Eileen Betsy Tranmer & WIM Rowena Mary Bruce at the 1946 Anglo-Soviet Radio Match\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/death-anniversary-of-eileen-betsy-tranmer/
CATEGORIES:British Championships,Death Anniversary,History,Player,Remembering
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://britishchessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20200927
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20200928
DTSTAMP:20210922T133018Z
CREATED:20200410T181005Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210922T133018Z
UID:4373-1601164800-1601251199@britishchessnews.com
SUMMARY:Birthday of FM Andy Mack (27-ix-1970)
DESCRIPTION:Birthday of FM Andrew L Mack (27-ix-1970) \n\n Save as PDF
URL:https://britishchessnews.com/event/birthday-of-fm-andrew-l-mack-27-ix-1970/
CATEGORIES:Birthday,Player
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR