English Chess Forum

I’m sad to report that Alan Fraser died on 2 November. A member of Beckenham and Bromley chess club, Alan only took up competitive chess on retirement but proved so keen that he became the most prolific player in the country. In some years, he racked up more than 200 games as he drove to weekend congresses in every corner of the land. He never missed a British championship or Hastings congress. He also won his fair share of competitions, winning the grand prix for players of his grade on a number of occasions. He was the quintessential gentleman of the chess board and universally admired as such.

Here’s an example of Alan dispatching an opponent in style.

[Event "Golders Green u1600"] [Site "?"] [Date "2014.05.04"] [Round "4"] [White "Macdonald, John"] [Black "Fraser, Alan"] [Result "0-1"] [EventDate "2014.05.03"] [ECO "C30"] [PlyCount "28"] 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5 3.Nf3 d5 4.exd5 e4 5.Qe2 Nf6 6.d4 $6 O-O 7.dxc5 exf3 8.Qxf3 Re8+ 9.Kf2 Qe7 10.Bd2 $4 Qxc5+ 11.Kg3 Ne4+ 12.Kh4 Qe7+ 13.Kh5 g6+ 14.Kh6 Qf8# 0-1

Alan is survived by his son, Hadrian.

There will be a funeral ceremony in Bristol on Wednesday 23rd November at 3pm at Canford Cemetery and Crematorium, Canford Lane, BS9 3PQ. Would anyone intending to go please contact Hadrian beforehand: [email protected]

I have posted some photos of Alan in action here: https://brendanogorman.smugmug.com/Ches ... -1933-2022

See


https://johnupham.smugmug.com/Chess/Ber ... /i-B2r3MnZ

Sad news - Alan seemed to be at every tournament where I was arbiter, but it may just be he was at every tournament! The one time he was absent, I expressed concern when I next saw him, and he explained that he had not been ill, just playing a different tournament.

Thanks Brendan. A poignant tribute to Alan, an inspiring game and many wonderful photographs. He was omnipresent at chess congresses and a dry wit at dinner. We'll miss him.

Very sad news. Alan played in all West of England tournaments before Covid. True Gentleman on the chess board.

Very sad to see this. Not checked forum for a while. Alan was my 2nd or 3rd opponent ever in chess 13 years ago. Otb as an adult I mean. We would go on to battle 26 more times. I’m pretty sure nobody played eachother more on the circuit from 2010 till I last played him around 2017 ish. We were the 2 most active players for a few seasons. Or top 3/4. We had some cracking games. I always used to go over games with him at the start as I was hopeful of learning a bit from him. As I knew he was most active. And won a lot of events. I never beat him in our first 4 meetings. But I think he only beat me twice from the next 24/25. I need to check stats but I’m sure I did the count many years ago and it was well over 20. I knew of his poor health and would ask Brendan all the time how is Alan. I had a few lovely chats with alan and some great banter.
And 1 year when he came second in the GP I felt it was so unfair how he lost it I bought him an engraved glass trophy saying he was the true GP champ that year. I think he really appreciated it. Got a photo with him as well with it.

Rip Alan. Will miss you.

Very sad to hear this.Often chatted to Alan at congresses.Really nice guy.

Alan Fraser 1933-2022 at the 2015 Berks & Bucks Congress: