English Chess Forum

Vera Menchik survived the German bombing of the National Chess Centre on 23 September 1940 where she was manager (http://www.westlondonchess.com/node/134) but died when a V-1 rocket hit her home in Kent on June 26, 1944.

The odd coincidence that Staunton passed away on Morphy's birthday,
the 22nd June, was perhaps worth a mention.

John Foley wrote:Vera Menchik survived the German bombing of the National Chess Centre on 23 September 1940 where she was manager (http://www.westlondonchess.com/node/134) but died when a V-1 rocket hit her home in Kent on June 26, 1944.

Does anyone have marriage records as I just read that she was Vera Menchik-Stevenson.

Paul Dupré wrote:

John Foley wrote:Vera Menchik survived the German bombing of the National Chess Centre on 23 September 1940 where she was manager (http://www.westlondonchess.com/node/134) but died when a V-1 rocket hit her home in Kent on June 26, 1944.

Does anyone have marriage records as I just read that she was Vera Menchik-Stevenson.

Wikipedia wrote:In 1937, at the age of 31, Vera Menchik married Rufus Henry Streatfeild Stevenson (1878–1943), twenty-eight years her senior, who was subscriptions editor of British Chess Magazine, a member of the West London Chess Club, and later honorary secretary of the British Chess Federation.

Looking up the BMD records: Vera Mencikova married Rufus H S Stevenson in Wandsworth in Q4 1937.

Richard James wrote:

Paul Dupré wrote:

John Foley wrote:Vera Menchik survived the German bombing of the National Chess Centre on 23 September 1940 where she was manager (http://www.westlondonchess.com/node/134) but died when a V-1 rocket hit her home in Kent on June 26, 1944.

Does anyone have marriage records as I just read that she was Vera Menchik-Stevenson.

Wikipedia wrote:In 1937, at the age of 31, Vera Menchik married Rufus Henry Streatfeild Stevenson (1878–1943), twenty-eight years her senior, who was subscriptions editor of British Chess Magazine, a member of the West London Chess Club, and later honorary secretary of the British Chess Federation.

Looking up the BMD records: Vera Mencikova married Rufus H S Stevenson in Wandsworth in Q4 1937.

Thanks Richard.

Edward Winter, Chess Notes 6548, 19 April 2010 states that according to the British Chess Magazine, November 1937, p 551, Vera Menchik was married on 19 October 1937.

An interesting read, but I wonder as to the rigour of Mr Wall's research. The account of Ilyin-Genevsky's death that he presents has been questioned and the Jessie Gilbert entry lacks a certain something. Makes me wonder about the others.

As a btw, was it really necessary to state that Staunton was writing his last book when he died?

Is there a list of players who died whilst playing chess?

There are a few floating around on the internet, making claims with varying degrees of reliability.......

John Foley wrote:Is there a list of players who died whilst playing chess?

Matt Mackenzie wrote:There are a few floating around on the internet, making claims with varying degrees of reliability.......

There was a case a few years ago of a player completing round 1 of a weekend event on a Friday and dying overnight. I would definitely trust the sources from which I heard it.

I think the Soviet GM Bagirov died at the board. Bronstein told me he did not want to die like this adding:
"..nor does Spassky."

Leonard Barden previously corrected me on that in another thread......

Bagirov had his ultimately fatal heart attack whilst playing, but did not actually die until a while afterwards.

I recall reading that Prof. Bernard Scott died at the board.

I am sure I recall a press report from a couple of years ago of some poor chap dying at the board in an open tournament in, I think, Israel.