07-10-2014, 08:24 PM
Sad news, indeed. He was certainly one of Scotland's most talented young players and I often wondered what had become of him. I last saw him in his last tournament (the British ch., Blackpool 1971), where I lost to him. I recall that that so stung at the time that it certainly helped me go on to win my last 4 games in the event, including a win against Penrose. Young players need such rivalry - it was wholly friendly, of course! Eric didn't let on that he planned to abandon chess after that event.