English Chess Forum

13 January 2026 (updated)

We are once again sorry to report, somewhat belatedly, a death in the Middlesex chess family. Andrew Costeloe, the long-serving Secretary of Muswell Hill Chess Club, died peacefully at his home in the early hours of Friday 21 November.

Andrew taught English, History and Maths at Highgate School for 29 years, and continued in his retirement to serve the Junior School as a chess coach.

Andrew also taught a chess course at the Highgate Literary & Scientific Institution, where he was a member.

I had dealings with Andrew occasionally before joining MCCA in 2023 and more frequently thereafter, and always found him helpful and courteous: “a fine man and a fine player, and always a pleasure to deal with”, as I wrote to his sister Jane when she informed me of his passing. I could have added, "and a fine club secretary"; in fact a Muswell Hill member told me the other day that he considered Andrew to be irreplaceable in that rôle.

Wil Ransome, who was a friend and team-mate of Andrew's, has written [edited]:

"I knew Andrew pretty well (we had been work colleagues for years - both teachers - and of course I also knew him through chess). He was an excellent raconteur and told very amusing stories. He had the ability to inspire in the children he taught, and also in their parents, a great affection and respect, I think because he always put himself out to look after their welfare.

"When I retired and he took over the running of the chess in our school (even after his own retirement) he had the wisdom to employ a number of strong chess coaches: David Rumens, Lorin D'Costa and others whose names I forget."

IM Lorin D'Costa delivered the following eulogy at Andrew's memorial [edited]:

"I worked with Andrew since 2010 as a chess coach at Highgate Junior School.

"I remember a very friendly man who immediately helped me get the school chess club going all those years ago. We grew the club, and interest in chess at Highgate increased through our efforts. This culminated in July 2023 with the Under 11 team coming third in the country out of more than 300 primary schools. Whenever Andrew talked about that, it was clear how proud he was of those children for that achievement, which was definitely due to his huge efforts in organising them, discussing how to improve their play, and many other aspects. He came every week with me for 15 years, and despite his growing age he had the same, if not more, enthusiasm for the children in chess club than he ever did.

"It was clear to me that this was a man with passion: a key characteristic required of a top teacher. I could always rely on him, and we enjoyed talking about chess. Of course, conversation was never just about chess - we widened the scope at termly dinners over a steak where I learned of Andrew's passion for films and literature. I felt like a student again as he taught me so much about spaghetti westerns and regaled me with stories of various characters and his past activities, which included sailing boats and travelling. I could see why he was a teacher, and how he enthused those he taught.

"Andrew will be greatly missed by the Highgate and Muswell Hill chess communities."

My thanks to Evan Beachley for helping me procure valuable content for this obituary.

MCCA sends its condolences to Andrew's sister Jane and his other relatives, and to his friends and clubmates at Muswell Hill Chess Club.

David Lewis