Colin A H Russ

Notices of deaths, death announcements and messages.
David Sedgwick
Posts: 5249
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: Croydon

Colin A H Russ

Post by David Sedgwick » Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:08 pm

I have been notified by the British Chess Problem Society that Colin A H Russ died on Wednesday 22nd September 2021 at the age of 91. He had been in hospital for some weeks, with no hope of recovery.

Colin, always genial, amusing and engaging, was for decades a pillar of the BCPS and for many years its Secretary. He was a considerable composer of problems and he published a number of books on the subject.

As a player he was of good Club standard, BCF 160 -170 or thereabouts. He remained active until 2015, although his strength dropped off somewhat in the later years.

I got to know him at the Hastings International Chess Congress 1991 - 1992. One of the players in the Hastings Premier that year was the Russian GM Alexei Suetin, who spoke German but not English. I discovered that Colin spoke German well and he proved invaluable as a translator. (I learned only today that by profession he was a university lecturer in German.)

During that Hastings Premier we arranged to have a ceremonial first move made each day by a "name". Colin was delighted to be chosen for this honour.

(With acknowledgments to Christopher Jones, who succeeded Colin as BCPS Secretary and remains in office.)
Last edited by David Sedgwick on Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Nick Ivell
Posts: 1138
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:33 pm

Re: Colin A H Russ

Post by Nick Ivell » Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:10 pm

RIP. 2020 I'm guessing.

David Sedgwick
Posts: 5249
Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: Croydon

Re: Colin A H Russ

Post by David Sedgwick » Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:47 pm

Nick Ivell wrote:
Fri Sep 24, 2021 7:10 pm
RIP. 2020 I'm guessing.
Thanks. Actually it was right year, wrong month.