English Chess Forum

Mike Pert passed away suddenly on November 11th 2025. He was much loved by his family and will greatly be missed by all who knew him.

Although he didn’t play chess competitively, Mike was a very capable player and taught the game to his sons Nick (Grandmaster) and Richard (International Master). Nina (Woman Candidate Master), Max (FIDE Master), Clodagh and Sofia all enjoyed playing chess against their Grandpa.

Mike was a regular presence on the chess scene when Nick and Richard were young, and in more recent years he closely followed his children’s and grandchildren’s progress online. He also gave up his time to help at several junior chess events run by his sons.

Funeral service and celebration of his life to be held at St.Augustine's Church, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich, IP3 8TH. Friday 19th Dec 11am for anyone who knew Mike and wishes to attend.

Condolences to the whole family. Your father certainly leaves a fine chess legacy.

I remember meeting Michael when he helped out Nick to run a training event at Wellington College maybe around 2012 - 2014.

He was a most friendly chap who exuded his love for chess which clearly transmitted to Richard and Nick.

It was a pleasure to meet him all those years ago.

My sympathies to yourself, Nick and all of your families.

Sorry for your loss.

I'm sure Michael will be very proud indeed to have had a hand in producing these two fine chess players and their offspring:


Caption:

"Nicholas Pert (left) with twin brother and team mate Richard, leading the Suffolk under nines chess team to win the finals of the Teachers Assurance Under Nines Chess Championships held recently in Wandsworth"

and somewhat later in their chess careers...

I remember your father from when you and Nick were active in Suffolk chess, very sorry to hear the news and my condolences to the whole family.

"Although he didn’t play chess competitively, Mike was a very capable player and taught the game to his sons Nick (Grandmaster) and Richard (International Master). Nina (Woman Candidate Master), Max (FIDE Master), Clodagh and Sofia all enjoyed playing chess against their Grandpa."

Obviously a major contribution to chess. Such people deserve great appreciation but rarely get it outside the people they directly encouraged.

Condolences to the family and all who knew him.

A tournament in memory of Michael is being arranged.

Please support this via

https://www.gofundme.com/f/chess-tourna ... -mike-pert

The Mike Pert Memorial tournament was held at Marygreen Manor Hotel in Brentwood at the end of September in celebration of Old Ipswichian Michael Anthony Pert who passed away, aged 75, on 11 November last year. Mike was part of the Ipswich Warrington Road chess ‘mafia’ when it was probably the strongest chess street (for a team of the top ten players) in the whole country in the mid nineties. Not a frequent competitor, he was a competent player with a rating of 1540.

The tournament had 64 players playing blitz in all play all groups of 8 with the top 16 qualifying for a knockout.  The knockouts were 2 x 5min+3sec games with an Armageddon tiebreak if needed.

The field included GMs Matthew Sadler, Nick Pert, Simon Williams, Jon Speelman John Emms, Danny Gormally, and Keith Arkell, and IMs Richard Pert, Richard Bates, and Paul Littlewood. GM Julian Hodgson was also in attendance on the day to give out prizes.

The knockout results: Group A: Adam Sefton 2-0 Zain Patel, Jeff Goldberg 0-2 Richard Pert, Sadler 2-1 Bates, Max Pert 0-2 Williams; Richard Pert 1.5-0.5 Sefton, Sadler 2-1Williams; Richard Pert 2-1 Sadler. Group B: Karl Bowden 0.5-1.5 Arkell, Emms 0.5-1.5 Speelman, Gormally 1.5-0.5 David Haydon, Littlewood 0.5-1.5 Nick Pert; Arkell 1-2 Speelman, Gormally 1-2 Nick Pert; Nick Pert 0.5-1.5 Speelman. Richard Pert won the final, defeating Speelman 2-1.

My thanks to Richard for the tournament details.