We were all stunned and saddened to hear the news that IM Gavin Wall had died suddenly and unexpectedly of a suspected heart attack on Monday 28 July at the age of 56.

I first met Gavin towards the end of 1975, when, round about the time of his 7th birthday, he joined the nascent Richmond Junior Chess Club. A year later he became our first title holder when he won the London Under 8 title.

He has been an integral part of chess in Richmond ever since, as a player, teacher and match captain.

When he graduated from RJCC he continued to be involved in teaching and giving simuls, and, on completing his studies, he decided on a full-time career in chess. He was involved in running the Richmond Junior Club morning group throughout the 1990s and beyond, playing a vital part in the extraordinary successes we achieved over that period. He also taught in schools and to private pupils with much success for 35 years, an inspirational and much respected figure in the world of junior chess in London.

He played extensively across Europe, including in the Bundesliga, for many years. Due to family connections he chose Ireland as his chess nationality, often competing there and representing them in the 2004 and 2012 Olympiads. He was awarded the title of International Master in 2003.

But, for those of us in Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club, it will be his loyalty and dedication which will be most remembered. We’ve been blessed to have had three long-serving and, each in his own way, idiosyncratic London League captains in my time at the club: Robert Pinner, Abraham Neviazsky and Gavin, who, collectively, have been responsible for maintaining our position as one of London’s leading chess clubs. Gavin also played regularly for our Thames Valley A team, usually scoring very heavily on top board.

Although he dedicated his life to chess, it was far from his only interest. He had an impressively wide general knowledge which he put to good use in pub quizzes, a love of music and sport, and a devotion to cryptic crosswords.

As a player, Gavin’s style was rather unusual. He had a limited repertoire of slightly dubious openings, especially with black, and his opponents generally knew what to expect, but his tactical opportunism repeatedly got him out of trouble. On his day he could beat almost anyone. Although he played at a high level, he played for fun, always enjoying his games regardless of the result.

But most of us will be remembered not just by our moves, ratings and titles, but by what we were like as a people. Always cheerful, friendly and approachable, Gavin was much admired by everyone he met in the chess world, from grandmasters down to the youngest children. You only have to look at the tributes paid to him on the English Chess Forum to see in how much respect he was held. There’s an excellent tribute from IM Mark Quinn on the Irish Chess Union site here.

He will be very much missed by the chess communities of both the UK and Ireland, as well as by everyone who knew him: players, teachers, parents and pupils. But, here in Richmond, he will be irreplaceable.

I’m sure everyone in Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club will join me in sending condolences to his family and friends.

Here, taken from MegaBase2025, is a short selection of games. Click on any move in any game for a pop-up window.