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Sir George Thomas in Scotland
Sir George Thomas - London 1932 tournament
1934
During a visit to the Bon Accord CC [Aberdeen] Sir George Thomas played four simultaneous games against consulting teams. With the move against McNaughton and allies he won a Lopez, and against Teunon he won a Vienna. Defending against Combe, Sir George drew a Dutch Defence, and won against a Reti game played by Pirie. All the games went to about 40 moves each. (Glasgow Herald chess column, 24 March 1934.)
1936
A simultaneous display was organised by Mr J.A. Stewart for Friday, 17 January 1936 in the Athenaeum, under the auspices of the Glasgow Ladies' CC. This display, the only one in Scotland, was one of a series given Sir George Thomas to help raise funds for the upcoming Nottingham congress, and play was open to members of the Glasgow Ladies CC and friends.
Sir George played 25 boards, winning 21, drawing 3 with P. Henderson, J. Aitchison (Polytechnic CC), and R. Smeeton (Glasgow CC), and losing only 1 to Mr A.F. Cariss (Bohemian CC). Mr Cariss had previously defeated Alekhine in a 1923 simultaneous exhibition.
The 1936 display
1937
Sir George, who was always generous with his time in helping to promote chess in a variety of ways, returned to Glasgow for a simultaneous display on Friday, 15 January 1937 at Glasgow CC. This was to help raise funds for Scotland's team to be sent to the upcoming Stockholm Olympiad. Players were invited to take a board for the cost of 2s 6d. As a result of Sir George's participation, the Scottish Chess Association Team Tournament fund gained a few pounds and some publicity.
Sir George played 25 opponents, winning 21, losing 2 games to P.B. Anderson and J. McGrouther, and drawing 2 games with Miss Neilson and Mrs Thomson.
Sources:
Glasgow Herald, chess columns, January 11 and 25, 1936, and January 9 and 23, 1937.
The Scotsman, January 18, 1936, p 19.Alan McGowan
Historian, Chess Scotlandupdated 29/11/2023