English Chess Forum

I am sorry to report that Mick Harper died last week after a short illness.
Mick was a regular and reliable member of Gambit for almost 30 seasons. He often doubled up for more than one team, playing over 30 league games in a season several times.
He also played in over 70 Minors and Intermediates this century, plus over 20 RPs.
Mick was an unconventional player, often going for unsound attacks, but it did result in 7 congress wins and 1 rapidplay win this century.
Quite serious at the board, he was easy going and good company away from it, and enjoyed the social side of chess weekends just as much as the chess itself.
(Mick was not related to George)

I remember him. Played him at Nottingham. My very first ever game there. It was on top board and I won. Think he may of withdrew after. Was a crazy game. I will try and find it and post it here. Rip Michael.

Drag Sudar has written a touching and more detailed tribute to Mick Harper on the Gambit Chess Club website:
https://gambitchess.club/2025/03/10/mic ... 1949-2025/

Mick was never short of opinions and always entertaining company. He was a regular at Notts events, most recently our Rapidplay on 2 February and at many other congresses further afield. I will miss him. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Mick.

Im sure Michael wouldnt of minded me posting this. He was much stronger than me but i was really on the up at the time and played a few brilliant moves for my level at the time. I remember Michael being really impressed and said im way better than my grade. This was my first ever opening of the BD gambit. Can be very dangerous. Michael was a real winner and played to win events. He withdrew immediately after this. Something i couldn't understand at the time. But i became famous for this 4/5 years later. didnt want to continue unless i could win, tbf he could of won next 4 and won the event. Anyway i should of won this event but came 2nd. had a silly loss next round. But rip Michael and thx for this great game.


[Event "Nottingham Inter U135"] [Site "Nottingham Girls School"] [Date "20/4/13"] [Round "1 W"] [White "Lee Bullock (118X)"] [Black "Michael Harper (132)"] [WhiteElo "118X"] [BlackElo "132"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 d5 2. d4 dxe4 3. f3 exf3 4. Nxf3 Nf6 5. Bc4 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. Bf4 O-O 8. Nc3 a6 9. a4 b6 10. Qe1 Bb7 11. Rd1 Nd5 12. Nxd5 Bxd5 13. Bd3 Nd7 (13... Bxf3 14. Rxf3 Qxd4+ 15. Kh1 Qxa4 16. Bxc7 Rc8 17. Rf4 Qc6 18. Rc4 (18. Bxb6 Qxb6 19. Qe4 g6 20. Qxa8)) 14. Qg3 Bxf3 15. Bxc7 Qe8 (15... Bh4 16. Qxf3 Qxc7 17. Qh5) 16. Qxf3 Nf6 17. Qh3 Qxa4 18. Rxf6 Qxd4+ 19. Kh1 g6 20. Rff1 (20. Rxe6 fxe6 21. Qxe6+ Rf7 22. Be5 Qf2 23. Rf1 Qxf1+ 24. Bxf1) 20... Qc5 21. Bf4 f5 22. Be3 Qb4 23. Bh6 Rf7 24. Qe3 Re8 (24... Rf6 25. Bg5 Rf7 26. Bf4) 25. Qxe6 Qh4 26. Bc4 1-0