English Chess Forum

Remembering Nancy Elder MBE (25-v-1915 04-iii-1981)

Nancy was a huge force in Scottish chess and played in the British Ladies Championship multiple times.

Her music and physical training teaching career started in Urmston, Manchester and moved to Dundee High School.

She guided many Scottish players to national and international level and was awarded the MBE for services to chess in Scotland and the only woman to have received such an honour.

Christine Elder did play as an adult, and didn't give up as a junior.

From The Glasgow Herald 23 Jul 1977 page 5

Glasgow Herald, 23 July 1977 wrote:They [the Scottish Chess Championships] are now open to both men and women – but no woman has ever entered the Scottish championship itself.

The 1935 Scottish Chess Championship was a six-player all-play-all, won by Dr Aitken. One of the six competitors was Mary Dinorah Gilchrist, who finished fifth.