09-12-2013, 12:10 PM
I'm deeply saddened to hear of Alan's death. I have known Alan ever since I started playing chess some fifteen years ago and over the years we have had many encounters. It was something like one win each and upwards of ten draws, all games honestly fought and some of those draws I was fighting tooth and nail to stay in the game. At the board I always found Alan to be a gentleman and when I was younger I always appreciated the time he took going through our games and analysing the many side lines. He was one of my favourite opponents in the Ayrshire League.
Off the board I was lucky enough to be able to count him as a friend and we used to talk about our respective football teams fortunes. Alan was a big Jambos fan and I always enjoyed the banter with him as I would decry Killie (being an Ayr fan) and he’d decry the Hibees. I will miss Alan and Ayrshire Chess has lost one of its biggest characters.
My thoughts and prayers are with Alan’s family at this time.
Off the board I was lucky enough to be able to count him as a friend and we used to talk about our respective football teams fortunes. Alan was a big Jambos fan and I always enjoyed the banter with him as I would decry Killie (being an Ayr fan) and he’d decry the Hibees. I will miss Alan and Ayrshire Chess has lost one of its biggest characters.
My thoughts and prayers are with Alan’s family at this time.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!