English Chess Forum

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2026 8:10 pm**

I am sorry to inform you that Ian Bates died on Wednesday 17th December 2025.
Ian was a constant presence for decades at Holmes Chapel Chess Club, serving as Chairman, Secretary and club captain.
He also served on the Stockport Chess League Disputes Committee.
Ian was also an International Arbiter, officiating at events around the world. He also spent time at the 27th Chess Olympiad in 1986 in Dubai. There, he collected signed scoresheets from some of the world's leading players.
Ian's funeral will be held at Birches Crematorium, Lach Dennis, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7SU, on Friday 23rd January 2026 at 2pm.
RIP

Posted: **Sun Jan 18, 2026 8:19 pm**

Simon Rogers wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 18, 2026 8:10 pm
I am sorry to inform you that Ian Bates died on Wednesday 17th December 2025.
Ian was a constant presence for decades at Holmes Chapel Chess Club, serving as Chairman, Secretary and club captain.
He also served on the Stockport Chess League Disputes Committee.
Ian was also an International Arbiter, officiating at events around the world. He also spent time at the 27th Chess Olympiad I 1986 in Dubai. There, he collected signed scoresheets from some of the world's leading players.
Ian's funeral will be held at Birches Crematorium, Lach Dennis, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7SU, on Friday 23rd January 2026 at 2pm.
RIP

Very sad news. I played against him several times (I found four games) in the mid 80s when I was a junior playing for Stafford against Holmes Chapel in the North Staffs League. Most of all, I remember him as a genuinely nice guy who was supportive of my chess and I was always happy to see him when our paths crossed in later years.

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2026 2:18 am**

If Ian Bates was genuinely an IA, then it might be nice for someone to ask FIDE and the ECF to correct their records, none of which seem to indicate the title having been conferred:

A fulsome tribute to him is given on the Holmes Chapel Chess Club website.

Posted: **Mon Jan 19, 2026 8:27 am**

I can't remember him specifically, but Holmes Chapel were always a very nice bunch when we played them in the Stockport league

A credit to him as one of their organisers.

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