English Chess Forum

Remembering IM Bob Wade OBE (10-iv-1921 29-xi-2008)

Easily one of the most significant and respected figures in British and New Zealand chess.

https://britishchessnews.com/2020/11/29 ... 9-xi-2008/

I was lucky enough to play him in a simul about 30 years ago in London. I somehow got into an ending which was clearly winning for me, something like a pawn or two up and a good position. He completely outplayed me and then kindly offered a draw when he could have carried on and won the game. I quickly took it.

I was one of perhaps three dozen juniors who benefited from Bob's coaching in the late 1950's or perhaps early 1960's on Saturdays at the John Lewis store in London's Oxford Street. I found him an inspirational coach. I was then rather disconcerted, on qualifying for the British championship for the first time in 1965, to find Bob was my opponent in round one - I can still remember being slowly ground down! We played only on one later occasion, in the London League where I drew, but most of Bob's games were against more illustrious opponents. Our paths later crossed on several occasions, notably when Bob provided encouragement in the formation of the Kings Head club and, separately, in collaborating with Aly Amin - the then owner of the Chequers chess cafe in north London - both in organising events and in writing several well-received books. British chess, and English chess in particular, owes a good deal to Bob .