Some members will remember Nick who has recently died, aged 79. He was a member of the club for many years before moving to Wiltshire – I think in the 1990s. He was a strong player with an attacking style and was Club Champion in 1981 and 1984. Nick was county champion in 1981 so did ‘the double’ that year – a game from that campaign:-
A contemporary of Paul Habershon’s, they were both in the British Under 18 Championship at Bath in 1963!
https://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/pgn/196308bcf-viewer.html
I remember in particular an exciting game in the National Club Championship against John Littlewood (father of Paul Littlewood) which Nick won, having had at one stage just three pieces left all of which were en prise. He came up to play golf and chess with Paul and me in 2012, and, though I believe at one time he was very much involved in Wiltshire Chess, in recent years he turned more to golf.
If anyone would like to send condolences to his widow Judith, or attend his funeral on 17th December, I can supply details.
Peter Gill, 9th December 2025
A few subsequent tributes:-
Paul Habershon – “I didn’t know Nick until he came to Bedfordshire in the 1970s. We eventually discovered that we had both played in the British U-18 at Bath in 1963. He scored 7.5/13 =18th of 58 players, tied with Vic Knox among others. Peter Jamieson (SCO) won on 9.5 with Bill Hartston (9) and Andrew Whiteley (8.5) among notable also-rans.
At Bedford he won the club championship in 1981 and 1984, achieving the ‘double’ with the county title in 1981. Game as above. I was particularly grateful for his life skills when I was parked in a dark side street after chess club with a flat battery. Fortunately Nick was nearby, had jump leads and knew how to use them. I saw him for the last time about twelve years ago when he came back to Bedford for a three-ball at golf, followed by some blitz chess in the clubhouse.”
Richard Bodily – “Although before my time at Bedford club, I remember him well, several tricky games against him. Very nice chap”
Joe Valerio – “Some might be aware, and Peter certainly will remember that in the heat of battle against Nick, I played a brilliant move… and play contiued after I’d “captured” my own pawn!! RIP Nick.”
Neil Hickman – “A strong player who understood a lot about the game, and a thoroughly decent man. RIP – I thought you might like the attached, which was admiringly annotated by Nick’s victim, Senior Master (as he became) Mike Read, writing for Norfolk’s online magazine a few years ago.