Robert 'Bob' Wade OBE Dies Aged 87

Bob Wade (pictured) was far more than a chess player - he was also a chess writer, coach, director, arbiter and friend to many generations of chess players.

Robert Graham Wade was born in New Zealand in 1921, but settled in England in 1950 where he lived most of his life.  He was a three-time champion of New Zealand (1944/45/48), twice-champion of Britain (1952/70), played in 7 Olympiads from 1954 to 1972, and one Interzonal (1952).

He became an International Master in 1950, but when he qualified as an International Arbiter in 1958 he made his living mostly from directing chess events rather than playing.

His enormous collection of chess books, bulletins and game scores enabled Wade to help Bobby Fischer prepare for his 1972 match with Boris Spassky.  He prepared a dossier on all of Spassky's games - back in the days before electronic chess databases, this was a mammoth research task.  He was also kind enough to allow many other players to use his library to prepare for important matches and tournaments.

In 1979 he was awarded an OBE for services to chess.

He continued to play chess in his 80's and will be sadly missed by all who were lucky enough to know him.  He will be mourned by chess fans in Britain, New Zealand and around the world, for whom he was a legendary and much loved figure.

See also:

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=5043

http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wade_(chess_player)