I was very sorry to hear the news that Stewart Reuben, one of the most important figures in both British and International chess, died yesterday in Jamaica while on a cruise of the Caribbean.

Although also a strong player, Stewart was best known as an organiser and arbiter. Back in the 1960s he pioneered the idea of weekend congresses, one of the causes, along with the inspirational work in the field of junior chess done by Leonard Barden and Bob Wade, of the English Chess Explosion in the 1970s.

An efficient and effective organiser with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Laws of Chess, Stewart’s affable and outgoing personality won him many friends wherever he went. A man who lived life to the full,

His achievements are far too many to be listed in this brief notice. You can discover more on Wikipedia here and read a tribute posted on British Chess News here.

He moved to Twickenham many years ago when teaching at Orleans Park School, a job he soon left to make a living as a professional poker player and chess organiser. Although he lived there for much of his life, he never joined Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club. Nevertheless, I was a good friend of his for more than half a century, and many of our older members will also have known him very well. Stewart was a unique personality with a genuine passion for chess, its players and its culture. Once met, never forgotten, he will be remembered with affection by very many throughout the worlds of both chess and poker.

He was also one of the last surviving players with a Morphy Number of 3.

Here’s what happened when we met over the board. Click on any move for a pop-up window.