Bernard Cafferty (1934-2026)

[John Saunders]

Some desperately sad news - I've just been informed that Bernard Cafferty died last night (4/5 November). He had been unwell and in hospital for some time, latterly in palliative care.

Bernard Cafferty was a major figure in the game as a player (FIDE master), editor (British Chess Magazine) and writer/translator (e.g. The Soviet Championships, co-authored with Mark Taimanov). I had particular reason to admire him as he was associate editor of BCM throughout my stint as the magazine's editor (1999-2010) and he provided support and advice of inestimable value. As my editorial predecessor, Murray Chandler, told me: "you ignore Bernard at your peril" - and he was so right. Bernard himself wrote in an obituary of Harry Golombek: "I admit, I miss him." I miss you too, Bernard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Cafferty

http://www.hastingschess.club/cafferty-bernard/ (I believe Bernard himself wrote this)

https://www.saund.org.uk/britbase/pgn/c ... iewer.html

[John Upham]

Totally agree John. In my five years at BCM I tried very hard to get advice on how to deal with one of the owners who Bernard simply referred to as "Low" I met BC on a couple of occasions but regrettably never got to know him.

[JustinHorton]

Read this over and over in my teens, and after