Murdered chess players

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Tim Harding
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Murdered chess players

Post by Tim Harding » Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:28 pm

The shocking story of the demise of American chess publisher Bob Long (see obituaries section of this Forum) prompts me to make the gruesome suggestion of opening a new thread about chess players whose deaths were murders.

I am aware of having played (and lost to) two FIDE-titled masters who were subsequently murdered (not by me).

Simon Webb, who many readers of this Forum probably knew, in a domestic case. I won't repeat the sad details here.

French IM Gilles Andruet, about whom you can read at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Gilles_Andruet

I invite further submissions.
Tim Harding
Historian and FIDE Arbiter

Author of 'Steinitz in London,' British Chess Literature to 1914', 'Joseph Henry Blackburne: A Chess Biography', and 'Eminent Victorian Chess Players'
http://www.chessmail.com

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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Matt Mackenzie » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:09 pm

Igor Platonov, who played in a few USSR Championships and did respectably - despite never getting even the IM title at the time.

Killed by burglars at his own home in 1994.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)

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JustinHorton
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by JustinHorton » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:12 pm

Tim Harding wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:28 pm
I am aware of having played (and lost to) two FIDE-titled masters who were subsequently murdered
"Subsequently" may be tautological here
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Roger Lancaster
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Roger Lancaster » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:19 pm

LOL, is this thread open to suggestions of suitable candidates for inclusion?

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Michael Farthing
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Michael Farthing » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:41 pm

Ronald Weasley nearly got murdered (several times)

Simon Rogers
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Simon Rogers » Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:42 pm

Tim Harding wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:28 pm
The shocking story of the demise of American chess publisher Bob Long (see obituaries section of this Forum) prompts me to make the gruesome suggestion of opening a new thread about chess players whose deaths were murders.

I am aware of having played (and lost to) two FIDE-titled masters who were subsequently murdered (not by me).

Simon Webb, who many readers of this Forum probably knew, in a domestic case. I won't repeat the sad details here.

French IM Gilles Andruet, about whom you can read at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Gilles_Andruet

I invite further submissions.
Hi Tim. I'm afraid I posted a murder of a chess player from Yorkshire in the Deaths & Obituaries Category at the end of last year.

Andrew Martin
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Andrew Martin » Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:19 pm

I think we can add Eric Wandless-Renton to the list, if memory serves me correctly.

Mick Norris
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Mick Norris » Tue Oct 12, 2021 4:20 pm

The one I knew (he gave me a lift to Morecambe to play chess once, when I was a member at Chorley when I was at school) was Eric Wandless Renton
Any postings on here represent my personal views


Nick Burrows
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Nick Burrows » Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:34 pm

Abe Turner - Stabbed 9 times in the back by fellow employee at Chess Review

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abe_Turner

John Townsend
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by John Townsend » Tue Oct 12, 2021 5:42 pm

In addition to Chessplayer Shot Dead in Hastings, which Gerard has already referred to, Edward Winter has two other relevant feature articles:

Chess and Murder: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/murder.html

Chess and the Wallace Murder Case: https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/wallace.html

Simon Rogers
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Simon Rogers » Tue Oct 12, 2021 7:15 pm

There is also this website:
https://wegochess.com
Complete timeline of every chess-related deaths
Under that title there is a couple more murders along with famous players dying during chess games.

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JustinHorton
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by JustinHorton » Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:26 pm

I assume you mean this largely worthless article
"Do you play chess?"
"Yes, but I prefer a game with a better chance of cheating."

lostontime.blogspot.com

Simon Rogers
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Simon Rogers » Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:16 pm

JustinHorton wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:26 pm
I assume you mean this largely worthless article
Yeah. That's the one. Thanks for adding the link, Justin.
Speaking of worthless, a certain person we know has been updating his website and using stills from the Queen's Gambit series. Not sure if he is allowed to do that.
https://charliechess.com

Matt Bridgeman
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Re: Murdered chess players

Post by Matt Bridgeman » Wed Oct 13, 2021 4:58 pm

Simon Rogers wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 11:16 pm
JustinHorton wrote:
Tue Oct 12, 2021 10:26 pm
I assume you mean this largely worthless article
Yeah. That's the one. Thanks for adding the link, Justin.
Speaking of worthless, a certain person we know has been updating his website and using stills from the Queen's Gambit series. Not sure if he is allowed to do that.
https://charliechess.com
I think he got rights to use the special logo, and possibly the photo the logo is based on. Well that's what Charlie said anyway :o

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