I hardly ever post much at this site (or anywhere else much, for that matter) and today there are two. Both are some words recalling old friends who have recently slipped away. This post is about Alan Fraser, a former member of Beckenham & Bromley chess club and, for some years, a regular member of the club's London League team that I led.
Always a reliable team member, Alan would often score well against much stronger opposition, especially if the game didn't go on too long. One in particular, when we were playing a much stronger team, Alan's opponent noisily complained about having to play someone with such a low grade relative to his own. He played quickly and carelessly, whereas Alan played in his normal, unhurried style. The next thing we knew, we're one point ahead as Alan won a rook for nothing, leading to more noise as his opponent had to resign and leave in a huff! He was very pleased with that result, and rightfully so.
I only play the odd weekend tournament, but whenever I did there was a very good chance I'd find him there, and we would exchange the usual pleasantries, and gossip a little about mutual acquaintances. And if he wasn't there, he was usually playing elsewhere. He really did play an awful lot of chess, by anyone's standards.
I sometimes wondered whether he occasionally "managed" his grade, perhaps making draws at tournaments where he stood no chance of winning, just to ensure that he wouldn't be pushed up to a higher graded section in future events. Or maybe it was just the stamina failed him in better positions, who knows. In any case, the only occasion I remember playing him myself - an end-of-season, time-handicapped fun event - and he beat me!
Alan was a quietly spoken chap, but with a surprising sense of humour, happy to share opinions that might be considered controversial within the small world of UK chess. There's a little more, with some pictures, here.
Farewell, Alan.
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