John Toothill (1938-2017)

[Matt Mackenzie]

Cumbria's strongest player for many years, several times county champion and also a correspondence player of some repute.

This news is quite unexpected and a tremendous shock to everybody in the local chess scene

Despite his age he seemed in generally good shape and was still playing chess to a very high level. I had several keen battles with him (and quite a few short draws as well, we had developed a considerable mutual respect)

RIP.

[David Robertson]

I didn't know him well, but I did meet him a few times. Good man; good player; great loss.

RIP

[Tim Harding]

Cumbria's strongest player for many years, several times county champion and also a correspondence player of some repute.
...
RIP.

I'm very sorry to hear that though I don't believe we ever met. John Toothill got the ICCF IM title in 1981.
He was board 5 in the Great Britain team that won the 9th correspondence olympiad final during the 1980s, scoring 5/9 in the final.
The team was Jonathan Penrose-Adrian Hollis-Simon Webb-John Footner-John Toothill-Chris Shephard.
Only three survivors now.

[David Phillips]

John was Cumbria’s strongest player for as long as I have known him - nearly 50 years! Some of his many achievements are:
Cumbria Champion six times; leading Windermere Chess Club to a record nine successive County titles in the seventies and latterly to ten titles in the last twelve years;club champion many many times; league and club president; County captain for both over the board and correspondence for a number of years. John was also a very strong correspondence player as is mentioned above by Tim Harding.As you see the list is long. Apologies for what I have forgotten.
John and I were playing our fortieth game against each other in the internal club competition on Tuesday 21st when he took ill. Not surprisingly he was winning, having cannily, played as white a line I had told him recently I struggled against! I offered him a draw in the ambulance, but naturally he refused! So he left with a big smile on his face RIP

[Kevin Thurlow]

"John and I were playing our fortieth game against each other in the internal club competition on Tuesday 21st when he took ill. Not surprisingly he was winning, having cannily, played as white a line I had told him recently I struggled against! I offered him a draw in the ambulance, but naturally he refused!"

Good personal touch. I think a lot of people could relate to that.

[Graham Borrowdale]

John and I were playing our fortieth game against each other in the internal club competition on Tuesday 21st when he took ill. Not surprisingly he was winning, having cannily, played as white a line I had told him recently I struggled against! I offered him a draw in the ambulance, but naturally he refused! So he left with a big smile on his face RIP

Yes, fantastic tale, David, thanks for posting.
Undoubtedly, the pedants amongst us would like to know what the result of the game was!
Regards
Graham

[Alistair Campbell]

I’m sorry to hear this.

John (I think he pronounced his surname “Tootle” rather than “Toot – hill”) was a regular supporter of the Oban Congress. I’m sure I saw him there on his bike, but I don’t think he cycled all the way…

I played him once, in 2005. I was impressed by his willingness to play for a win in an unpromising position; I was pleased to get the draw in the end.