We have received the following sad news from Dr Jonathan Rogers
Mike Twyble died at the age of 58 on Monday [12 December]. He had been battling cancer for two years, but suddenly sharply declined over the last two months.
Essex players who were active in the 1980s and 1990s will remember Mike without any difficulty. He was Southend’s strongest player and occasionally played board one for Essex. He could have claimed the FM title but chose not to; and he did make an IM norm in 2007. More generally, he was a stalwart of the Essex team and would turn up to all matches, including the awkward away matches against lesser opposition. One regret that I had on his behalf was that he appeared in four Finals between 1989-2000 but all of which resulted in Essex defeats; and by the time we won (in 2002 and 2006) he had moved to the west country. He more than anyone would have deserved to revel in our moments of triumph.
The funeral is at 9am on 21st Dec at Barnstaple Crematorium and afterwards at The Lymington Arms, Wembworthy. Anyone willing and able to attend would be more than welcome. Otherwise, the family do not wish flowers to be sent but would instead encourage a donation in his memory either to Marie Curie or North Devon Hospice.
Here is a Mike Twyble game, from the Counties Championship QF v Yorks, May 1999, which was reported in Chessex Vol 3 No 5