Edgar Priestley - Tributes paid as Yorkshire chess veteran, 87, dies

One of Huddersfield's oldest and most distinguished chess players has died at the age of 87.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th May 2010, 22:33 BST
Updated 14th May 2010, 22:33 BST

Edgar Priestley, a member of Huddersfield Chess Club since 1941, died peacefully in his sleep last Saturday.

Born in January 1923, he learned to play chess in 1938 at the age of 15. He was president of Huddersfield and District Chess Association between 1972-77 – a the golden time for the game, following Bobby Fischer's World Chess Championship win in 1972.

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He was secretary of Huddersfield Chess Club from 1949 to 1956 and its president in 1952-3, 1987-8 and 2002-3.

Mr Priestley played competitive chess until only a few months ago when ill health forced his retirement.

Association league secretary Geoff Peake at the 2009 annual meeting said: "When we have men among us such as Edgar Priestley, why should England tremble?"

In a tribute, he added: "Edgar was a true giant of chess, a gentleman and a great servant of Huddersfield Chess Club and the Huddersfield association."

Related topics:HuddersfieldYorkshire