English Chess Forum

I'm sorry to report that Tim Allen died peacefully in his sleep sometime between 16 and 17 March. A former Ministry of Agriculture civil servant and member of Battersea chess club, Tim became a particularly keen competitor at chess congresses when he retired. Those who didn't know him personally may remember the chap who brought out his own cleaning gear if he came across a dirty chess board!

Sadly, Tim suffered a stroke about five years ago. While still perfectly articulate, if frailer, Tim's ability to calculate was substantially reduced and he couldn't continue to play chess. David Gilbert and I have dined with him a couple of times a year during the intervening years, most recently just before Christmas when he was in good form. I'm told he was leading a fairly active social life right up to his death: a birthday party, a trip to the theatre and a garden party.

More details when I know them.

Tim wipes the board (Maastricht 2010)

I'm sorry to learn this news. Tim was another of those people that I played a few times in various congresses, but who never reappeared post-Covid. I wondered what had become of him. RIP

Yes, a decent chap, though we never played and only had a couple of brief conversations, Tim was one of those who I missed after quitting chess.
A good egg, and I'm sad to learn he's died.

Sad news - I saw him at many tournaments over the years and he was always pleasant.

Tim Allen, 49th Berks and Bucks Congress, Polehampton Church of England Junior School, Twyford, August 26th 2013

Tim always reminded me of Ned Sherrin. He ventured a good joke which will always stay with me:
"I like playing at Basingstoke. I can stay with my mother without having to be there .."
Nice chap.
James

Played him a few times in my first few years in chess. I remember him being a bit dismissive of my awful rating and then continued to smash me haha. Think it was Brighton around 2011/12. Will post the game when I find it. Rip Tim.

Wow that was painful to look back at. Overall i played Tim 5 times. He beat me first 2.Then 2 draws. By the 5th game i was way stronger and managed to finally beat him. But here was our first encounter. Complete demolition by Tim. .i was like wow ok i really need to up my game as a 127 to me was in the stars at the time. Remember we was first to finish . But got to enjoy the fantastic brighton surroundings and old ship hotel. hope chess returns there one day. Loved it. i won the next brighton minor event. Was my very first standard play tournament win.

[Event "e2e4 Brighton Minor"] [Site "Brighton De Vere"] [Date "25/11/11"] [Round "1 L"] [White "Lee Bullock (79E)"] [Black "Tim Allen (127A)"] [WhiteElo "79E"] [BlackElo "127A"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. O-O d6 6. c3 Bg4 7. Nbd2 Qd7 8. Qb3 Na5 9. Qd1 Nxc4 10. Nxc4 b5 11. Ne3 Bh5 12. b4 Bb6 13. c4 O-O 14. Nd5 (14. Nf5) 14... Nxd5 15. cxd5 Rae8 (15... f5 16. Rb1 fxe4 17. dxe4 Bxf3 18. gxf3) 16. Re1 (16. Bb2) 16... f5 17. Nxe5 (17. a4) 17... Rxe5 18. Qxh5 fxe4 (18... Bxf2+ 19. Kxf2 fxe4+) 19. Qh4 Bxf2+ 20. Qxf2 Rxf2 21. Kxf2 Qf5+ 22. Kg1 exd3 23. Rf1 Qe4 24. Bb2 Qe3+ 25. Kh1 Re7 26. Rad1 d2 27. h3 Rf7 28. Rxf7 Kxf7 29. Rf1+ Kg6 30. h4 Qe1 0-1

I remember that flat cap more than the board cleaning.

Pretty sure I played him somewhere along the line.

RIP.