Stanley Holloway

[JustinHorton]

For coincidental reasons I just happened to glance at the Wikipedia page of the late entertainer and of course I noticed the photo which presently heads it.



A little Googling (for "Stanley Holloway" chess") didn't seem to tell me anything, but it did produce a second photo taken on the same occasion (both photos by one Alan Warren).



Is anything known about Stanñey Holloway's interest in chess or why he might have been photographed with a set?

[John Clarke]

If Stanley's kibitzin' then t'pieces are right
But t'board's the wrong way, cos h1 isn't white.
So mebbe Stan's playin', wi' t'board proper way -
But then they've got all t'ruddy pieces astray!
My word, it do look queer;
My word, it do look queer.
Can't figure it out - is 'e playin' or not?
And what's wi' that funny position they've got?
Pawns on f5 and e6 don't look grand
When White's got 'is own on e4 close at 'and;
But yon's all White's done - 'eck, I don't understand -
My word it do look queer!

(Tip of the hat to Bob Weston and Bert Lee)

PS: I do remember reading once that Mr Holloway was fond of cryptic crosswords, so maybe he knew a bit about chess as well.

[Chris Goodall]

If Stanley's kibitzin' then t'pieces are right
But t'board's the wrong way, cos h1 isn't white.
So mebbe Stan's playin', wi' t'board proper way -
But then they've got all t'ruddy pieces astray!
My word, it do look queer;
My word, it do look queer.
Can't figure it out - is 'e playin' or not?
And what's wi' that funny position they've got?
Pawns on f5 and e6 don't look grand
When White's got 'is own on e4 close at 'and;
But yon's all White's done - 'eck, I don't understand -
My word it do look queer!

(Tip of the hat to Bob Weston and Bert Lee)

PS: I do remember reading once that Mr Holloway was fond of cryptic crosswords, so maybe he knew a bit about chess as well.

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