English Chess Forum

GM Dr. Jonathan Penrose OBE is 87 today and in receipt of one of my longest articles with the most photographs

Ten times winner of the British Championships to say the least

https://britishchessnews.com/2020/10/07 ... nrose-obe/

"Being of slight physique and the mildest and most amiable of characters, it is probably also true that Penrose lacked the toughness and ‘killer instinct’ required to reach the very top. Nervous tension finally struck him down in a dramatic way when he collapsed during play in the Siegen Olympiad of 1970. "

He collapsed in his 9th Olympiad apparently, so he managed all right for 8 of them. It seems slightly unfair to criticize him for that, and it could have been an undiagnosed (physical) medical issue. I imagine the main "problem" was that he had a proper job and that stops you being a world-beater (at chess), but his record speaks for itself. The achievements of the whole family are pretty amazing!

Kevin Thurlow wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 07, 2020 12:54 pm

"Being of slight physique and the mildest and most amiable of characters, it is probably also true that Penrose lacked the toughness and ‘killer instinct’ required to reach the very top. Nervous tension finally struck him down in a dramatic way when he collapsed during play in the Siegen Olympiad of 1970. "

These were the words of George Botterill rather than my own.

At the 1966 BCF Congress the sixth formers who had organised my school's contingent lined up all the younger boys (including self) to stipulate a bed time, supporting this requirement with the assertion that otherwise our chess would suffer - and then one added the rider: "And I do know that Penrose is always in bed by 10.30 if he has a game the next day". Regrettably this is only one example of times when I have failed to follow the good practice of a better chess player. Penrose, however, once again became British Champion that year.

It has been a while since I heard Jonathan Penrose mentioned, great champion and reputedly a very nice person, proving that you dont have to have a win at all costs mentality to be successful. I wonder what he is up to these days as he kind of disappeared from the chess world?

Joey Stewart wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 07, 2020 4:15 pm

It has been a while since I heard Jonathan Penrose mentioned, great champion and reputedly a very nice person, proving that you dont have to have a win at all costs mentality to be successful. I wonder what he is up to these days as he kind of disappeared from the chess world?

He was 87 today and (it is thought) living in a care home. Maybe Leonard is better informed?


More detail would be welcome.

Happy Birthday Jonathan Penrose.
A colossus of British Chess.