County Chess Longest Playing Player

[GrahamStuart]

Despite county chess not being as popular now as in the past, I was interested in knowing who has played for their County for the longest period. I admit that this is not the easiest to determine, but I thought I would start with who I think holds the record for Hampshire. There are plenty who have played in excess of 45 years but the person who holds the record for Hampshire is Gillian Moore.

Gillian first played for Hampshire in 1960 and is still playing today, so currently 64 years and growing. In total she has played in excess of 290 games in this period.

I am sure other counties would have longer playing players....

For more info on Gillian https://hampshirechesshistory.co.uk/pla ... ian-moore/

[Nick Ivell]

I played for Lancs for close on 45 years. Many people have more years under their belt.

[Richard Thursby]

John Cannon must run Gillian Moore quite close /viewtopic.php?f=46&t=11415 My own contribution to his 515 county matches was a rather nondescript draw where I spent more time travelling there and back than playing chess.

[GrahamStuart]

John Cannon must run Gillian Moore quite close /viewtopic.php?f=46&t=11415 My own contribution to his 515 county matches was a rather nondescript draw where I spent more time travelling there and back than playing chess.

Certainly more games! With his last county game being in January 2018 I would say he probably played for longer than Gillian, but it depends when he started. Records in the 1950's are not so easy to find (I am missing a lot of 1952 to 1958). My records are just Hampshire and he played against JEC Grant in Oct 1959 in the Hampshire - Surrey match (board 33) which he won.

I guess the question is did he play County chess in 1953 or before as this would make 65 years?

[John Saunders]

I guess the question is did he play County chess in 1953 or before as this would make 65 years?

Yes. In Brian Denman's collection of John Cannon's games, the earliest county match was Northumberland vs Cheshire, 20 October 1951, played in York, when John Cannon drew with C Townsend on board 11. I'm not sure how comprehensive the collection of game scores is; he may have played unrecorded county games earlier than this. There are other game scores from 1946 onwards.