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Last update: Tuesday November 1, 2005 9:51
Born 6th June 1954 and died suddenly at home 18th October 2005
Phil Church, happy family man, dedicated teacher and chess enthusiast was one of those rare individuals who really make a difference. Phil took great pleasure in providing opportunities for others to shine. He worked diligently in educating his pupils at Cape Hill Primary School, Smethwick, to the best of his ability and in assisting his colleagues. In the Worcestershire chess scene he started up an U100 team and was a great support for the U125 team. At Redditch Chess Club he became Secretary at the beginning of 2003 and was very much the club’s driving force. He was also an influential member of Headless Cross Chess Club. In the world of internet chess he built up a friendship with players from Nieuwerkerk near Rotterdam in Holland and set up Redditch v Nieuwerkerk internet tournaments. He followed this up with organising a visit of half a dozen Worcestershire players to Holland to take part in a Nieuwerkerk Quickplay Tournament.
Phil took up chess at the age of 40 and soon discovered a love for gambit play. His favourites were the Danish, Budapest and Blackmar Diemer Gambits but he had quite a few others in his repertoire. His attacking forthright play could be devastating for the unwary and he notched up an impressive list of victims with his gambits, many of them mated in less than 10 moves. One well known Birmingham League player, who shall remain nameless, sat with his head in his hands in disbelief for at least five minutes after one of Phil’s early mates. In the last round of a Spectrum tournament in Birmingham Phil’s opponent was concerned about how long the game would go on for as he had a train to catch. Phil assured him that the game was not likely to take too long, launched into a Latvian Gambit and mated the poor man in 9 moves. Needless to say the train was caught.
His sudden death leaves a big gap in the Redditch and Worcestershire chess world. He will be sadly missed.
Phil is survived by his wife Therese and three daughters, Megan, Pippa and Anna.