English Chess Forum

Paul Timson has passed away today after a long fight against leukemia.
We were at school together, playing as juniors for Middlesex County, before we went our separate ways to university (and me out of chess for several decades). Paul however remained active in Cedars CC, and Harrow CC (he was Club Champion in 1972 and 1973). Then, as a consequence of the demands of a successful career to senior management level in Local Govenment, he took up correspondence chess, playing - I think I am right in saying - for the national team in international competitions. Living now in Lancashire, he returned to OTB chess on his retirement, and was joint British Senior Champion in 2013.
Sadly, our re-connection, after I tracked him down again, was too short. All sympathy to Jenny, his wife, and their family.

Very sad although not unexpected news

As Martin says, Paul moved to Whalley in Lancashire where he told me he had a large collection of chess books, and played chess for Lancashire, for Heywood, and for Manchester Manticores in the 4NCL

An interesting person to talk to, and a genuinely nice guy

Martin Smith wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 15, 2020 7:11 pm

Paul however remained active in Cedars CC, and Harrow CC (he was Club Champion in 1972 and 1973).

He took over as Middlesex League captain, I discover, from my father.

I was a near-contemporary of Paul in our junior days so I'm sorry to hear of his death.

Paul also played for Clitheroe in the East Lancashire Chess League for many years - usually on top board for the 'A' team.

I must have had over 100 friendly games against him and can only remember winning 1 because it was with the Grob!

Rest In Peace.

The details of Paul's funeral are as follows: Monday 2nd March at 2pm, at Whalley Methodist Church - followed by a cremation at 3pm; there will be refreshments at the Foxfields at Billington.
Paul's chess friends would be welcome.
Please send me a PM if you intend to come and I will pass it on to the family.

Very sorry to hear of Paul's death. I was a fellow Cedars Chess Club player, and can confirm that Paul was a kind and unassuming person, a loyal team mate, and a very good player indeed. My most recent "encounter" with him was when he took up the cudgels on my behalf, when Winter's Chess Notes unfavourably compared my 1974 declaration about leaving chess forever (!?) with that of Gary Kasparov. Characteristically Paul stood up for a fellow Cedars player, and even supported his case by publishing one of my games ! Paul is very much missed.

CN 3754 https://www.chesshistory.com/winter/winter10.html