English Chess Forum

Best Wishes GM Dr. Jonathan Mestel (13-iii-1957)

Jonathan was one of key architects of the English Chess Explosion which, I would argue, started two years earlier than the book of the same name documents.

He is of course a multi-talented mathematician, bridge player of renown, World Solving Champion and 18 times British Solving Champion and one of that rare breed that combines world class at OTB chess and problems and mathematics.

I am very grateful to Jonathan who endured a lengthy Zoom call with myself to complete my research.

Happy Birthday!

I've have added further studies kindly supplied by Brian Stephenson plus a few more photos.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:06 pm

I've have added details of the infamous "Brenda O'Randall incident" at Portsmouth 1976

So Leonard Barden got his revenge in a later Guardian column by reporting that Jonathan was wasting his time at Cambridge doing 'research into anagrams'. This highly academic study should surely have produced the more accurate 'Brenda O'Randle'. Perhaps it did.

Paul Habershon wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:33 pm

John Upham wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:06 pm

I've have added details of the infamous "Brenda O'Randall incident" at Portsmouth 1976

So Leonard Barden got his revenge in a later Guardian column by reporting that Jonathan was wasting his time at Cambridge doing 'research into anagrams'. This highly academic study should surely have produced the more accurate 'Brenda O'Randle'. Perhaps it did.

It did.

Some amazing games!

Nick Burrows wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:09 am

Some amazing games!

I really was spoilt for choice.

A book of best games is very much merited.

I enjoyed the problems and studies as well. I know Mestel is a good solver, but not sure where he ranks in the composing hierarchy. Loved the photo of him at 16, and the story of the beard rules at school!

Professor Mestel, if you will (though I doubt he'll be troubled)

Happy Birthday Jonathan Mestel.
Great picture and information.
He is a titan and pioneer of British Chess along with Harry Golombek, Jonathan Penrose and William Hartston.

A little surprised at the "titan" soubriquet.... obviously a great player but multi-talented and sensibly enough focused on some of the other things he is very good at, rather than playing in many grandmaster tournaments - as Miles, Nunn and (to some extent) Stean and Speelman of the same era.
I remember turning up in 1973 (I think) for a Sunday Times quarter final - Manchester Grammar v King Edwards (with Miles on top board) and getting generally stuffed.
What happened to the account of the 'infamous "Brenda O'Randall incident" ' - vaguely remember it but don't see it in John Upham's piece.
Chess players and mishaps - interested to read about Mestel being reduced to rough sleeping (pre-internet hotel booking) - I seem to remember he climbed a mountain on the morning before (!) his last round (in the World u-16?) and got lost... Miles had all his luggage stolen on the way to the Teesside World Junior and had other priorities that stopped him buying replacements.

Andy Stoker wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:32 pm

What happened to the account of the 'infamous "Brenda O'Randall incident" ' - vaguely remember it but don't see it in John Upham's piece.

Originally it was there. I was then informed of some follow-up incidents of unpleasantness and defamatory T-shirts that I had forgotten about.

I decided to remove the details as a consequence.

John Upham wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 22, 2021 7:29 pm

Andy Stoker wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 22, 2021 6:32 pm

What happened to the account of the 'infamous "Brenda O'Randall incident" ' - vaguely remember it but don't see it in John Upham's piece.

Originally it was there. I was then informed of some follow-up incidents of unpleasantness and defamatory T-shirts that I had forgotten about.

I decided to remove the details as a consequence.

Happy Birthday to you today, John.
I enjoy reading your chess articles.
Another titan of British Chess.