Best Journalist: Leonard Barden

[John Townsend]

Many congratulations to Leonard Barden on his well-deserved FIDE award:

https://www.fide.com/news/3223

"Best Journalist: Leonard Barden

Leonard Barden’s journalism has played a crucial role in promoting chess in both national and international media. He holds the record for the longest-running column in media history, with his daily Evening Standard column running for an incredible 63 years, 7 months, and 18 days. Barden continues to be prolific, writing weekly for The Guardian and the Financial Times. Now 94, this titan of chess journalism may not have many more opportunities to be recognized as he truly deserves. Award was received by Malcolm Pein."

[Jonathan Rogers]

Many congratulations to Leonard Barden on his well-deserved FIDE award:

https://www.fide.com/news/3223

"Best Journalist: Leonard Barden

Leonard Barden’s journalism has played a crucial role in promoting chess in both national and international media. He holds the record for the longest-running column in media history, with his daily Evening Standard column running for an incredible 63 years, 7 months, and 18 days. Barden continues to be prolific, writing weekly for The Guardian and the Financial Times. Now 94, this titan of chess journalism may not have many more opportunities to be recognized as he truly deserves. Award was received by Malcolm Pein."

Excellent!

Goodness, though, one certainly has to prove oneself to get this award ...

[Matt Mackenzie]

Update - he's now 95!

[Roger Lancaster]

Congratulations, Leonard. I suspect your record will remain unsurpassed for quite some time.

[Kevin Thurlow]

Great news! Richly deserved and somewhat overdue.

[John Townsend]

Yes, Matt, I'm sure it's 95.

Incidentally, a chess friend writes that, having seen Barden's Guardian column of today's date, he found that the amount of information that he included, with light touches of comment, was remarkable.

We have known for years that we have the best chess journalist. Now it is official.

[Geoff Chandler]

Wonderful fully deserving news and it is not an award for longevity. Leonard's column's are good and often very good indeed. Congratulations.