Newsflash by G.H. Diggle

[Brian Denman]

I met G H Diggle about twenty five years ago. He lived in Hove and let me look at his chess library. I was particularly interested in Chess Player's Chronicles of the 1840s, which at that time had not been reprinted and were rare books. We had a discussion about the first Brighton Chess Club. He was about ninety years old, but did not look his age. I found him very pleasant and in no way controversial. Sadly he did not live for many years after our meeting.

[Leonard Barden]

The wall of silence is truly stunning. Who was G.H. Diggle ?

Was he simply a chess enthusiast who wished to remain anonymous ? I suspect that Paul Buswell knows the answer to this mystery.

Diggle reached the eight-player final of the knock-out London championship around 1946, and gave a reasonable showing for one who was outclassed.

In around 1977, Lloyds Bank sponsored a simul by Nigel Short at the Guildhall against 30 or so invited City and media opponents. Diggle was one of the players, invited at my suggestion, and wrote an amusing account afterwards of his experience. We spoke then, and I think did so on one or two previous and later occasions, so the above suggestion of an identity mystery about him is nonsense.

[MJMcCready]

The wall of silence is truly stunning. Who was G.H. Diggle ?

Was he simply a chess enthusiast who wished to remain anonymous ? I suspect that Paul Buswell knows the answer to this mystery.

Diggle reached the eight-player final of the knock-out London championship around 1946, and gave a reasonable showing for one who was outclassed.

In around 1977, Lloyds Bank sponsored a simul by Nigel Short at the Guildhall against 30 or so invited City and media opponents. Diggle was one of the players, invited at my suggestion, and wrote an amusing account afterwards of his experience. We spoke then, and I think did so on one or two previous and later occasions, so the above suggestion of an identity mystery about him is nonsense.

I don't think he's a mystery man. An unsung hero of amateur chess perhaps, and thus not well known. He has the most brilliant turn of phrase. I like his description of himself as 'an experienced resigner' - he's like a breathe of fresh air, a formal but very funny man.

[Paul Buswell]

Was he simply a chess enthusiast who wished to remain anonymous ? I suspect that Paul Buswell knows the answer to this mystery.

I can't really add that much. I never met him. As far as I know he was exactly who people say he was: a good (but retired) amateur with a brilliant turn of phrase. Lived in Rustington, I think, but I may be wrong. I don't remember how it came about that he contributed a monthly (unpaid) piece to the BCF 'Newsflash', but it was a highlight of office life when a new Badmaster piece came in the post.

PB

[Gordon Cadden]

Thank you for your contribution Paul. Cannot remember an official obituary for GHD; he certainly deserved one for his literary contribution to the game. I admire his Bad Master series, which have a prominent position in my library.
n

[MJMcCready]

I met G H Diggle about twenty five years ago. He lived in Hove and let me look at his chess library. I was particularly interested in Chess Player's Chronicles of the 1840s, which at that time had not been reprinted and were rare books. We had a discussion about the first Brighton Chess Club. He was about ninety years old, but did not look his age. I found him very pleasant and in no way controversial. Sadly he did not live for many years after our meeting.

Must have been a nice day. I wonder what happened to his library.

[MJMcCready]

Thank you for your contribution Paul. Cannot remember an official obituary for GHD; he certainly deserved one for his literary contribution to the game. I admire his Bad Master series, which have a prominent position in my library.
n

Diggle writes exceptionally well. His style is effortless and insightful. He is so great at bringing people to life. Have a re-read of 56. Malevolent Match Captains. Fantastic stuff.

[MJMcCready]

Thank you for your contribution Paul. Cannot remember an official obituary for GHD; he certainly deserved one for his literary contribution to the game. I admire his Bad Master series, which have a prominent position in my library.
n

I would be particularly interested in finding that -if it exists.

[Gerard Killoran]

I have come across a nice game by G. H. Diggle from an unknown event, both players were members of Luton Chess Club at the time.
[Event "Luton Chess Club Competition?"] [Site "Luton"] [Date "1938.06.29"] [Round "?"] [White "Bowden, Joseph"] [Black "Diggle, Geoffrey Harber"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "C55"] [Opening "Two knights: Max Lange attack, Marshall variation"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4 Bc5 5. O-O Nf6 6. e5 d5 7. exf6 dxc4 8. Re1+ Be6 9. Ng5 Qd5 10. Nc3 Qf5 11. Nce4 O-O-O 12. g4 Qe5 13. fxg7 Rhg8 14. Nxc5 Qxc5 15. Ne4 Qb6 16. Bh6 Ne5 17. h3 Bd5 18. Bg5 Rxg7 19. Bxd8 Kxd8 20. Nc3 Bf3 21. Qd2 Nxg4 22. hxg4 Rxg4+ 23. Kh2 Rh4+ 24. Kg3 Qg6+ {Beds and Herts Pictorial - Tuesday 08 January 1957 p.2} 0-1

[Tim Harding]

You can just about find anything online these days. Mike Basman wrote; "Confessions of a crooked Master", which Kingpin Magazine have very kindly published on the internet. I can remember the days when I paid hard cash for "Kingpin". MB did a sneaky retracted move against dear old Baruch H. Wood, and guaranteed that grandmaster Florin Gheorghiu would never set foot on our shores again.

What is this allegation about Basman, Wood and Gheorghiu?

Gheorghiu played the Teesside international in 1972 so something that happened at the 67/68 Hastings cannot have

guaranteed that grandmaster Florin Gheorghiu would never set foot on our shores again.

[Matt Mackenzie]

He played in the big 1980 London tournament as well.