George Duguid Campbell

Born: 29 May 1923, Lanarkshire - Died: 5 July 1982

George Campbell was born in Lanarkshire, but his family moved to Aberdeen in 1928. He became deaf following an operation at the age of 8, later attending the Westburn Road School for the Deaf.

He played in the Scottish Boys' Championship of 1939, held in Aberdeen, finishing 1st equal, but losing the play-off. Mr Campbell operated a successful business as a chess book seller for many years, and in the 1970s he produced a popular chess diary. He put much effort into advancing the cause of deaf chess players, writing for various publications and organising events. He continued to play in tournaments himself. He was the board one choice for Scotland in matches, and he was the board one for Great Britain in the 1958 World Deaf International Teams Championship, held in London. George Campbell was secretary/treasurer of the Scottish Chess & Draughts Association of the Deaf from 1958 to 1981. He was an honorary life member of the Bon-Accord Chess Club in Aberdeen.

See also Reminiscences.

Sources: 1. The 100th Anniversary of the Scottish Chess & Draughts Association of the Deaf:100th Anniversary 2002; 2. the BCM of September 1982, p 393.

Compiled by Alan McGowan