I am sad to report that Paul died during the night, at Kingston Hospital.
Paul was taken seriously ill three months ago, just before the final 4NCL weekend, and rushed to hospital, where he was put into an induced coma. Despite great efforts, not least by himself, and some promising moments, he never fully came off life support.
Paul was a founder member, or close, of Mushrooms Chess Club back in the 1960s. He subsequently became the dynamo of Surbiton Chess Club, forming a bridge between the two which has proved very valuable. He was also very active within the Thames Valley League.
In addition to his vital organisational efforts, he was a very useful club player, with some impressive scalps to his name. [ Can Britbase back this up? They would mostly be quite old. ]. There is a variation of the Milner-Barry, with which was was still winning games recently, known locally as Durrant's Folly.
About five years ago, when recovering from health issues that might have seen off a lesser character, Paul decided to get some exercise by playing bowls. Inevitably, he quickly became a central figure in the club he joined, organising a semi-competitive group which meets twice a week. I shall be eternally grateful to him for introducing me to the game.
In recent times I have seen Paul several times a week and have been regaled with some extraordinary tales relating to his business life. I suspect that they were mostly true!
Paul leaves a large and loving family, several of whom I have met for the first time during these recent months. He will be missed terribly by them, as by all at his chess and bowls clubs and wherever else he has made his presence felt.
Paul Durrant
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NickFaulks
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Paul Durrant
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Graham Borrowdale
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Re: Paul Durrant
Very sad news. Many thanks to Nick for the excellent tribute.
I had known Paul since joining Surbiton Chess Club back in 1998, and it was obvious that he was the engine of the club, as well as being no mean player, as Nick notes. I was very aware of Durrant’s Folly, which he used to reel out against my French Defence in many a blitz game. Years later, after I had moved up north, he still included me in his updates on Surbiton’s fortunes, and was especially pleased when they finally won the Thames Valley League, under his captaincy, about 10 years ago. When I last saw him, in February of this year, he informed me that he was still working on some of his business ventures.
Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Paul
I had known Paul since joining Surbiton Chess Club back in 1998, and it was obvious that he was the engine of the club, as well as being no mean player, as Nick notes. I was very aware of Durrant’s Folly, which he used to reel out against my French Defence in many a blitz game. Years later, after I had moved up north, he still included me in his updates on Surbiton’s fortunes, and was especially pleased when they finally won the Thames Valley League, under his captaincy, about 10 years ago. When I last saw him, in February of this year, he informed me that he was still working on some of his business ventures.
Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Paul
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Neill Cooper
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Re: Paul Durrant
Another very sad loss. Paul was a great supported and encourager. He was always helpful when I was running Surrey Youth teams and also positive about Castles (Junior) Chess Club, even when we played Surbiton.
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Roger de Coverly
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Re: Paul Durrant
I recall playing him at a tournament in 1969 when his grade was 180ish. Britbase has him playing in the Northern Open at Whitby in 1968 scoring 5/11. No games though. There are more recent games from the 4NCL without any obvious scalps being apparent.NickFaulks wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 12:45 pmIn addition to his vital organisational efforts, he was a very useful club player, with some impressive scalps to his name. [ Can Britbase back this up? They would mostly be quite old. ].
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John Saunders
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Re: Paul Durrant
In fact, there is one of his games on BritBase from the 1968 Northern Open - a win against Mike Donnelly...Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑Fri Aug 01, 2025 5:55 pm
I recall playing him at a tournament in 1969 when his grade was 180ish. Britbase has him playing in the Northern Open at Whitby in 1968 scoring 5/11. No games though. There are more recent games from the 4NCL without any obvious scalps being apparent.
There is also a game Paul Durrant played and won in a 1971 Yorkshire v Lancashire county match which appears in the BritBase collection of Dick Collins' games and comes with the latter's own commentary (any misspellings are his - there isn't time in the day to edit the entertaining game comments that pepper his 2,000+ games)
Finally, there is a game Paul Durrant won in the 1970 British Universities' event...
That's it as regards extant Paul Durrant wins from the 20th century sources that have found their way onto BritBase. I couldn't find any wins against notable players. Perhaps someone at Surbiton CC might be able to dig something out from a club bulletin.
I was intrigued by his unusual name (Paul Eric Olaf Durrant) and discovered he had a Danish grandfather, a seafaring man called Olof Mauritz Emil Cervin. At least I think that's right.
Personal Twitter @johnchess
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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: Paul Durrant
Sad news. And thank you from me too, Nick, for the tribute and the background including the bowls element! Too often such news and additional details arrives late or not at all in such cases.
I too have memories of Paul as the "engine" of Surbiton CC as Graham puts it. I suspect I may even have played a game or two against him, but don't have the records to hand right now. The games John has posted from BritBase (which I just played through) are very entertaining, and all from before I was born! RIP Paul.
I too have memories of Paul as the "engine" of Surbiton CC as Graham puts it. I suspect I may even have played a game or two against him, but don't have the records to hand right now. The games John has posted from BritBase (which I just played through) are very entertaining, and all from before I was born! RIP Paul.
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Paul Durrant
Re the Dick Collins game, adjudication again - ugh.
(as a matter of historic record, my only ever game thus decided was judged by him)
(as a matter of historic record, my only ever game thus decided was judged by him)
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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Christopher Kreuzer
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Re: Paul Durrant
Does anyone know what year Paul was born? Was it in the 1940s?
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Matt Mackenzie
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Re: Paul Durrant
1943 according to his FIDE entry.
"Set up your attacks so that when the fire is out, it isn't out!" (H N Pillsbury)
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John Saunders
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Re: Paul Durrant
Yes, 1943 is right - 2nd quarter, born in Durham. I don't have the precise d.o.b.
My BritBase coverage of Surbiton's 2018 Alexander Cup final victory includes a photo of Paul Durrant with his soon-to-be son-in-law Chris Briscoe holding the trophy.
My BritBase coverage of Surbiton's 2018 Alexander Cup final victory includes a photo of Paul Durrant with his soon-to-be son-in-law Chris Briscoe holding the trophy.
Personal Twitter @johnchess
Britbase https://www.britbase.info
(I prefer email to PM - contact me via this link - https://www.saund.org.uk/email.html)
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NickFaulks
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Re: Paul Durrant
My attention has been drawn to game 3, where Paul wiped out IM Colin Crouch.
https://www.surbitonchessclub.co.uk/games/immortal
There is a belief in Surbiton that many moons ago, when in his prime, he won a Congress game against Leonard. Can this be confirmed?
https://www.surbitonchessclub.co.uk/games/immortal
There is a belief in Surbiton that many moons ago, when in his prime, he won a Congress game against Leonard. Can this be confirmed?
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a QR code stamped on a human face — forever.
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Leonard Barden
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Re: Paul Durrant
I have no recall of this, but my memory is decrepit. When and where did it happen?NickFaulks wrote: ↑Sat Aug 02, 2025 11:55 am
There is a belief in Surbiton that many moons ago, when in his prime, he won a Congress game against Leonard. Can this be confirmed?
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NickFaulks
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Re: Paul Durrant
Sorry, I have no idea. I certainly remember him telling me about a win against one of our Olympiad heroes from your time, but cannot remember which one. I wish I had paid better attention now.
If you want a picture of the future, imagine a QR code stamped on a human face — forever.
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Reg Clucas
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Re: Paul Durrant
I met Paul in 1971, when I started at Bradford University.
I was brought up in Cumberland, where there was little opportunity for competitive chess, so when I started at Bradford I lost no time in finding out details about the University Chess Club. This was organised exclusively by Paul. He arranged to meet me in the University foyer one day, and brought along a chess set. We played a couple of games which he won easily, but he decided I was suitable material for the University team, and thus I gained my first experience of league chess in the Bradford & District League.
We also entered a team in the British Universities Championship, held that year in London (April 1972). Paul made all the arrangements, and even led the evening entertainment which consisted of visiting some rather seedy establishments in Soho. Typical of his sense of humour, he doubtless regarded it as part of our education for the younger team members.
That year (71-72) was Paul's final year at the University, and I haven't seen him since, but I have always remembered his friendly and helpful manner and sense of humour.
I was brought up in Cumberland, where there was little opportunity for competitive chess, so when I started at Bradford I lost no time in finding out details about the University Chess Club. This was organised exclusively by Paul. He arranged to meet me in the University foyer one day, and brought along a chess set. We played a couple of games which he won easily, but he decided I was suitable material for the University team, and thus I gained my first experience of league chess in the Bradford & District League.
We also entered a team in the British Universities Championship, held that year in London (April 1972). Paul made all the arrangements, and even led the evening entertainment which consisted of visiting some rather seedy establishments in Soho. Typical of his sense of humour, he doubtless regarded it as part of our education for the younger team members.
That year (71-72) was Paul's final year at the University, and I haven't seen him since, but I have always remembered his friendly and helpful manner and sense of humour.
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ChrisBriscoe
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Re: Paul Durrant
I am, as John Saunders pointed out earlier, Paul's son-in-law, having married his eldest daughter, the beautiful Sarah (commonly called 'Jo') Durrant (now Briscoe) in 2018. Though I first met her in 2011, I had known Paul, himself since 1996, when I played against him for the now defunct club, Hampton. A year later, I was playing for his teams at Surbiton Chess Club, then at the Conservative club in St. James Road, Surbiton, before soon moving to the Fircroft centre where they currently play.
I didn't drive before 2001, and many is the time when he drove me to away matches - even giving me a lift home again. In one of those occasions, we were talking about how members of his family and friends got married to each other, with him finishing up saying, 'It is funny who we all end up with!' Little did we both realise that in the future I would share my life with his Jo!
In those days, the early 2000s, the Surbiton players would always go for a drink together after every match, at the local 'Cap-in-hand' pub on the Hook Road roundabout (It got boarded up just less than 10 years ago). Paul often regaled the other members to many interesting and fascinating stories of, amongst other things, the time when he had a large business in which made models for sets, and all kinds of other stuff. Paul, and his drinking partner at the club, Dave Morant, would always be the last to leave the pub - taking advantage of whatever extra time after closing, the landlord's discretion would allow!
Paul was the type of chap who, despite having difficulties (like a house fire in 2011), you would never guess, if you saw him, due to his constant cheery, jovial and friendly countenance he displayed to all and sundry. A rare quality. Mild, unassuming, and yet often the centre of interesting discussions...
He would often joke at his own misfortunes, and I could never detect any kind of resentment behind it.
Despite Paul's failing health in the last few years, he kept as active as can be and more so! (Much to the concern of my wife!) In the last decade or so, right up to the end, he was selling books on-line, and for a sole trader on amazon, his return in a difficult market was successful - due to his expertise, and the great care he took in his dealings with his customers which vastly exceeded his competitors' personal touch. This meant that many were prepared to pay more, if it meant a sure, safe, informative, reliable and friendly service. Indeed, many half his age have floundered in this market.
About 5 years ago, Paul's knees were very bad, and he had serious trouble walking. What did he do? He joined the local bowls club, St. Georges in Tolworth! He took to it, improved as a player, got into the sides. Paul's walking got a whole lot better due to this, and then... He started captaining some of the teams and organising, just like he was doing at Surbiton Chess Club!! Needless to say, the members at this club, as at Surbiton, have a very high estimation of his abilities, as well as his manner. Though it could change, of course, I have to say that at the moment it is looking very likely that Paul's wake will be held at the bowls club. Subject to the families' approval, I may mention the date on here later, when it is arranged.
A couple of days ago, when Jo and I picked up Paul's death certificates from the registrar, we had to say what his occupation was, or if he was retired. At 82, he was still working as a self-employed book seller as mentioned, but when we phoned his eldest son, Martin (now he calls himself Josh), he expressed a strong preference to put 'sculptor' instead. He was right, and we did. For when Paul had a large company making models, and totally original structures to meet individual briefs, he was a sculptor, and made these amazing forms often having to think on his feet when doing so, amid, at times, crazy time restraints. Needless to say, and in those times, health and safety took a distant back seat!
Much of his work is still around, and many of you may well have seen it, although not realised it! I believe, until very recently, he has a structure which stood on the New Malden roundabout, and one of many film sets that he produced was the ice palace which featured in the original Superman films! When my wife was a toddler, Paul took her to the Dr Who studio sets he had worked on, and Jo had the opportunity to enter the Tardis! She refused. She was too scared of going into the dimensional bigger room then!
Pretty much everyone of you will know of the late Mike Basman, the famous, and eccentric English I.M, who was joint winner of the British Championships back in 1972. But what you may not know is that during the mid 60s, Paul was his manager! (he would take a percentage of Mike's tournament winnings!) Indeed it was him that helped finance his travels to Armenia in '67, then part of Russia - or rather, the then U.S.S.R, where he stayed for about 1 -2 years competing with the Russians and trying to qualify for the Russian Championships - an incredibly difficult task. Though he had mixed success, Mike's natural talent got the attention of the then World Champion, Tigran Petrosian, who famously remarked that, 'Out of all the English players, Mike has the best chance of challenging us in the future!' A very unusual adventure behind the Iron Curtain...
Paul was a long-standing chairman of Surbiton Chess Club for many decades, and despite many health problems (not least of which was blood cancer) requiring a lot of medication, incredibly, this year, he made his own way up, by train through London with his cases, to the 4NCL in Peterborough - twice to play for Surbiton. He did it, but let's just say the journey there was a memorable experience - twice! It is testament to his single-minded determination and fierce independent spirit however...
Paul was a fair player, having reached heights of high 180s in his prime, and even at the end was around 140-150 (old money!). He was joint winner of the Slater-Kennington Cup (the second tier of the Surrey Championship) in 2014, playing in the Championship proper the following season, where I remember playing a close game with him there which went to adjournment, and I have to confess to having rather a lot of luck to come through it, despite being then well over 200+. At his prime, he also played some games for England in correspondence chess. Indeed, my wife often says he was an England international!
Nick Faulks mentioned Paul's 'extraordinary tales' which is actually a great compliment. For as Paul often said, a person who had the most amazing stories to tell was none other than Nick Faulks himself!!
And if you can get through life with many tales, and stories to tell, then it will have almost certainly been a most interesting and fulfilling life...
I didn't drive before 2001, and many is the time when he drove me to away matches - even giving me a lift home again. In one of those occasions, we were talking about how members of his family and friends got married to each other, with him finishing up saying, 'It is funny who we all end up with!' Little did we both realise that in the future I would share my life with his Jo!
In those days, the early 2000s, the Surbiton players would always go for a drink together after every match, at the local 'Cap-in-hand' pub on the Hook Road roundabout (It got boarded up just less than 10 years ago). Paul often regaled the other members to many interesting and fascinating stories of, amongst other things, the time when he had a large business in which made models for sets, and all kinds of other stuff. Paul, and his drinking partner at the club, Dave Morant, would always be the last to leave the pub - taking advantage of whatever extra time after closing, the landlord's discretion would allow!
Paul was the type of chap who, despite having difficulties (like a house fire in 2011), you would never guess, if you saw him, due to his constant cheery, jovial and friendly countenance he displayed to all and sundry. A rare quality. Mild, unassuming, and yet often the centre of interesting discussions...
He would often joke at his own misfortunes, and I could never detect any kind of resentment behind it.
Despite Paul's failing health in the last few years, he kept as active as can be and more so! (Much to the concern of my wife!) In the last decade or so, right up to the end, he was selling books on-line, and for a sole trader on amazon, his return in a difficult market was successful - due to his expertise, and the great care he took in his dealings with his customers which vastly exceeded his competitors' personal touch. This meant that many were prepared to pay more, if it meant a sure, safe, informative, reliable and friendly service. Indeed, many half his age have floundered in this market.
About 5 years ago, Paul's knees were very bad, and he had serious trouble walking. What did he do? He joined the local bowls club, St. Georges in Tolworth! He took to it, improved as a player, got into the sides. Paul's walking got a whole lot better due to this, and then... He started captaining some of the teams and organising, just like he was doing at Surbiton Chess Club!! Needless to say, the members at this club, as at Surbiton, have a very high estimation of his abilities, as well as his manner. Though it could change, of course, I have to say that at the moment it is looking very likely that Paul's wake will be held at the bowls club. Subject to the families' approval, I may mention the date on here later, when it is arranged.
A couple of days ago, when Jo and I picked up Paul's death certificates from the registrar, we had to say what his occupation was, or if he was retired. At 82, he was still working as a self-employed book seller as mentioned, but when we phoned his eldest son, Martin (now he calls himself Josh), he expressed a strong preference to put 'sculptor' instead. He was right, and we did. For when Paul had a large company making models, and totally original structures to meet individual briefs, he was a sculptor, and made these amazing forms often having to think on his feet when doing so, amid, at times, crazy time restraints. Needless to say, and in those times, health and safety took a distant back seat!
Much of his work is still around, and many of you may well have seen it, although not realised it! I believe, until very recently, he has a structure which stood on the New Malden roundabout, and one of many film sets that he produced was the ice palace which featured in the original Superman films! When my wife was a toddler, Paul took her to the Dr Who studio sets he had worked on, and Jo had the opportunity to enter the Tardis! She refused. She was too scared of going into the dimensional bigger room then!
Pretty much everyone of you will know of the late Mike Basman, the famous, and eccentric English I.M, who was joint winner of the British Championships back in 1972. But what you may not know is that during the mid 60s, Paul was his manager! (he would take a percentage of Mike's tournament winnings!) Indeed it was him that helped finance his travels to Armenia in '67, then part of Russia - or rather, the then U.S.S.R, where he stayed for about 1 -2 years competing with the Russians and trying to qualify for the Russian Championships - an incredibly difficult task. Though he had mixed success, Mike's natural talent got the attention of the then World Champion, Tigran Petrosian, who famously remarked that, 'Out of all the English players, Mike has the best chance of challenging us in the future!' A very unusual adventure behind the Iron Curtain...
Paul was a long-standing chairman of Surbiton Chess Club for many decades, and despite many health problems (not least of which was blood cancer) requiring a lot of medication, incredibly, this year, he made his own way up, by train through London with his cases, to the 4NCL in Peterborough - twice to play for Surbiton. He did it, but let's just say the journey there was a memorable experience - twice! It is testament to his single-minded determination and fierce independent spirit however...
Paul was a fair player, having reached heights of high 180s in his prime, and even at the end was around 140-150 (old money!). He was joint winner of the Slater-Kennington Cup (the second tier of the Surrey Championship) in 2014, playing in the Championship proper the following season, where I remember playing a close game with him there which went to adjournment, and I have to confess to having rather a lot of luck to come through it, despite being then well over 200+. At his prime, he also played some games for England in correspondence chess. Indeed, my wife often says he was an England international!
Nick Faulks mentioned Paul's 'extraordinary tales' which is actually a great compliment. For as Paul often said, a person who had the most amazing stories to tell was none other than Nick Faulks himself!!
And if you can get through life with many tales, and stories to tell, then it will have almost certainly been a most interesting and fulfilling life...