Andrew Jonathan Whiteley

[Christopher Kreuzer]

An obituary has been published on the ECF website:

http://www.englishchess.org.uk/rip-andr ... -whiteley/

[Nick Burrows]

[Event "ENG"]
[Site "ENG"]
[Date "1973.??.??"]
[EventDate "?"]
[Round "?"] [Result "1-0"] [White "Andrew Jonathan Whiteley"] [Black "Anthony Miles"] [ECO "D24"] [WhiteElo "?"] [BlackElo "?"] [PlyCount "61"] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 a6 5.e4 b5 6.e5 Nd5 7.a4 Nxc3 8.bxc3 Bb7 9.e6 f6 10.Be2 Qd5 11.O-O Qxe6 12.Re1 Qd7 13.Nh4 Bd5 14.Bg4 e6 15.Bxe6 Bxe6 16.d5 Be7 17.Rxe6 O-O 18.axb5 f5 19.Nf3 Bf6 20.bxa6 Qb5 21.a7 Nd7 22.Ba3 Rf7 23.Bb4 Nf8 24.Re1 Qb7 25.Ne5 Bxe5 26.Rxe5 Ng6 27.Re1 Nf4 28.Qa4 Qxd5 29.Re8+ Rf8 30.Rxf8+ Rxf8 31.a8=Q 1-0

[Adam Raoof]

Middlesex are having their AGM on Monday night at the Plough. See the details here - http://middlesexchess.blogspot.co.uk/

Andrew was former President (1985-87) and Deputy (1984-85 & 1987-88) and we shall be observing a minutes silence before proceedings begin.

[Matt Mackenzie]

One of the best players in the country at his peak. RIP.

[David Sedgwick]

Andrew was very helpful to me 20 to 25 years ago, when I was a relatively young and inexperienced arbiter.

At the time of his death he was one of only six English International Arbiters in FIDE Category C and above.

RIP

[Ian Kingston]

Andrew was acting Technical Editor at Batsford after Paul Lamford's departure and prior to my arrival. He was extremely helpful in the transition period. Bought me a pint at the King's Head and proceeded to thrash me at blitz.

[Gordon Cadden]

My last meeting with Andrew, was on the 26 June, 2012, at the re-dedication of Zukertorts Memorial in Brompton Cemetery. His health was failing in recent years, but he was on good form that day.
He was a leading member of the old Kings Head Club in Moscow Road, Bayswater.

[Mark Page]

I didn't know Andrew at all, but I did once play him in the London League, half a lifetime ago in 1989. The game was adjourned in a very complex position, and he sealed. Before the resumption, though, my flat in Clapham Junction was burgled, and the intruder decided to open the sealed move envelope, presumably hoping to find a postal order from my Auntie Flo or something similar. What could I do, except ring him up and explain, but obviously I had to accept that he could claim the game if he wished. He wouldn't hear of it, so I then said that it would be fine with me if he wanted to change his sealed move (which I hadn't looked at, but he couldn't know whether I was telling the truth). Again, he said he wouldn't take up this option, but I told him that when we resumed the offer would still be open to him. True to his word, when we played on he just stuck with his sealed move - which was not the best - and carried on as though nothing had happened. The game ended in a draw after I missed several golden opportunities to claim an IM scalp, but in retrospect I am glad I didn't play any of the winning moves. His behaviour in not claiming the game, or changing his move, was one of the most generous acts I think I have ever encountered at the board, and I am by no means certain that I would have been as sporting as he was. AJW - RIP

[Colin Patterson]

Nice that this site provides a platform for memories of such a nice guy.

I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Andrew’s company back in the late 1970s. He was great fun, a witty raconteur, and very much someone who enjoyed life.

In those days, he was trying to earn a crust as a solicitor, but remained passionate about his chess, investing most of his weekends on the congress circuit, racking up Grand Prix points for a possible future payday. This particular year, he was battling with David Rumens for the top prize. It was neck-and-neck at the very end of the competition and hearing that Rumens had headed off to Seaham in a last gasp effort to improve his score, he had followed, hoping that he could make a last minute entry. Upon arrival, there was an immediate problem; his inclusion would make an odd number and they would not have an opponent for him. I overheard the discussion and suggested I step up to the Open from the Major, if it helped. When else would I get the chance to play an IM with my modest club player rating? I duly lost on the White side of a Sicilian, but I’ll always remember his kind words after the game.

Later, in the pub, it became obvious he had nowhere to stay. The offer of a couch at my friend’s house was gladly accepted and walking back to the bus stop, we quizzed him about his education, which if I recall correctly, was a degree in the Classics from Oxford. He was quite reserved about the worth of his studies and went so far as to say that the arts no longer interested him. He had since decided to teach himself the sciences. Just then he stopped, looked up at the night sky and without a moment’s pause, proceeded to name all of the stars and constellations that were visible. Clearly, he had already acquainted himself with astronomy, but I got the impression he was fascinated with all aspects of the world around us and less so with the material things that many of us obsess about. His life seemed very simple and uncomplicated; a crumpled suit and a travel bag that was actually just a brief case containing a toothbrush, pyjamas and a Good Beer Guide.

I recall hearing of another occasion when he played in his bare feet. No, he hadn’t become overly eccentric as some may have wondered – his sandals had developed a broken strap and rolled up in a copy of The Times, the defective footwear accompanied him around the tournament venue, at least until he had finished the crossword.

[Nick Ivell]

I hardly knew Andrew, but remember him as a fine player. I played him just the once, in the inaugural British Rapid in Leeds. 1986 I think it was. My confidence was high, having beaten John Littlewood; and my feeling was 'another veteran for the taking'. Andrew was not of course a veteran in 1986; I suppose I thought he looked older than he was.

I had the temerity to open 1.b4, and got smashed. It was one of the games which put me off this opening for life.

For me Andrew was part of the almost mythical 60s generation, who had already achieved prominence before the first Fischer - Spassky match. It is possible that he did not quite fulfil his potential as a player, but how many of us actually do? So many things get in the way.

[Malcolm Clarke]

I did not know Andrew very well, but I do remember he was a major driving force behind the Kings Head club at a time when they and London Central YMCA were rivals, and I was on the committee of the Middlesex County Association at the same time as him. I believe that during the 1980's he played for Cavendish in the London League.

If I remember correctly the televised world championship match between Nigel Short and Gary Kasparov at one time showed footage of Andrew at the Kings Head while play was in progress, and commentator Raymond Keene described Andrew as the doyen of the Kings Head club.

[James Pratt]

where did he die? I have dates but no place? Was it Earl's Court?

[Nick Burrows]

Andrew Martin Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjbTiwdLQM

[John Upham]

See http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/opinion/o ... 151883.ece

[Gordon Cadden]

Andrew Martin Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWjbTiwdLQM

Very good obituary by Andrew Martin.