We have received two pieces of bad news, both of ECA Life Members, one of international renown, the other a past stalwart servant of the Association and his local Club.
Jonathan Penrose who has died at the age of 88, won the British Championship on 10 occasions. He was awarded the grandmaster title in 1993. Born in Colchester, Essex were proud to have him as its Board 1. Following his retirement from over-the-board chess he became a very fine correspondence player, at one time being ranked No 1 in the world. Leonard Barden has published an obituary in the Guardian and here is the famous win against Tal, then reigning World Champion, Leonard Barden describes:
Geoffrey L Smith who has died at the age of 89, played for Old Parkonians from the mid-1950s to 1963, then Brentwood 1963-1985. He was elected a Life Member of the ECA in recognition of his services over an extended period. Geoffrey was ECA General Secretary from 1963 to 1973, when he took over as Chairman from 1973-1979, then President 1979-1984. He took early retirement in 1985, when he moved to Chipping Campden, Glos. Geoffrey was also one of the original Trustees of the David Wood Memorial Trust from 1969, taking on the roles of both Secretary and Treasurer, until 1982. Geoffrey continued as a Trustee until 1985. Obituary by Ivor Smith (no relation) together with Rod John’s eulogy. This appears on our new Features menu.