In Memoriam
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Shropshire Star 08/01/2019

The Shropshire Chess Congress was tinged with sadness following an announcement at the start of play that the event's founding father, Jeff Cox, died over the Christmas period.
As a result his son John, an International Master, pulled out of the competition.

Dr Jeff Cox, from Kynnersley, near Telford, was a leading figure in the local game who had organised the first congress in the early 1970s.

Veteran Shrewsbury player David Everington recalled: "He must have arrived in the county some time around 1970 – I think he taught physics at Wolverhampton Polytechnic – and quickly took on the secretaryship of Shrewsbury Chess Club, and quite soon afterwards of the county chess association as well.

"He had some huge achievements, including creating this tournament. I can remember that in 1975 there was a problem with the British lightning chess championship somewhere in the north of England, in which the organisers had to pull out, and he heard about it and picked it up and held it here, at Madeley Court in Shropshire.

"Under Jeff's stewardship of the county association the league expanded very quickly, from one division probably into three, possibly four – I'd have to check on that.

"He also created the summer knockout competition – playing for the Cox Trophy."

Wellington Chess Club is mourning the loss of club captain Derrick Powell, the long-time stalwart of the club.
Powell, who had fought a long battle with multiple sclerosis, was admitted to hospital with a chest infection and died on Friday.
Clubmate Toby Neal said: "Derrick's passing is an incalculable loss to the club. He was the rock on which everything was built. There cannot be a chess club in Shropshire so closely associated with one man.
"He was Wellington's beating heart for so many years - at least since the 1980s. Our thoughts go out to his wife Sheila, who, when Derrick's mobility problems became more acute, would drive him to the club and to away matches.
"Without him, things at the club will never be the same." - Shropshire Star 27/09/2016

Hell's teeth!
When you heard Derrick muttering that, you knew you'd got him. Two hours later, you'd still be playing.
Difficult to beat, Derrick. We are talking about social chess. With the clocks, it was different. They were his great enemy.
We played innumerable games, and whenever you played Derrick you knew you were in for a long evening. In the days when Wellington's venue was the Wrekin Arts Centre, we had the key to lock up at night, and it was not uncommon for us still to be playing at 1am.
He had his little quirks that you got used to, which contributed to those long evenings. If you beat him, he'd concede, and then say: "Let's look at that again." He would then rewind the pieces to that point where his position started to go downhill, and try another defence. So in the course of one game you would have to beat him several times.
The other quirk was that he would make a move after long, considered thought. As you sat digesting it, a hand might reach out and move the piece back. "Let's have a think about that," he would say. After another think he would perhaps make the same move anyway. Or maybe make another, better, move.
Difficult to beat, Derrick.
And then there was his response to e4. Always, always, always, the French Defence. In all the years I knew him he never, ever, played anything else. If he had, it would have been the talk of the club - Derrick didn't play the French! But he always did.
He was the beating heart of Wellington Chess Club ever since I joined in the 1980s. He was the rock on which everything was built. There cannot be a club in Shropshire more associated with just one person.
Grading-wise, he was in the 100 to 120 range, and it puzzled me that his grading was not higher when I found him such a tricky opponent. Those darned clocks were a great part of the reason.
In his final years multiple scerosis made things increasingly difficult for him, initially with a bit of clumsiness moving pieces, later needing help when the action was at the far end of the board, such as queening a pawn. That did not stop him and he kept turning out.
More seriously, it became problematic getting to the board to play. He had an electric wheelchair thing. Ultimately his wife Sheila had to drive him everywhere and he would lift himself out onto the wheelchair using a rope. I still feel guilty about the night I asked him to fill in for the A team in a match against Oswestry. True, I didn't say it was home. But I didn't say it was away, either.
Finally the difficulties became insuperable in getting into the car, into the venue, back into the car, and back into their home. Yet h e was still planning to play this season. If it was possible, he would make it possible. He loved his chess that much. 
Derrick went into hospital with a chest infection. It was touch and go but, Derrick being Derrick, he wasn't beaten yet. However, it proved to be one position he couldn't get out of.

His flag fell on Friday, 23rd September 2016. - Toby Neal

The funeral of Wellington stalwart Derrick Powell is as Telford crematorium at noon on Thursday, October 13

Shropshire chess is mourning the passing of veteran John Tunks, a tough competitor on the playing scene for many years. - Shropshire Star 27/05/2014

Paying tribute, club colleague Eugene Raby said: "I have the sad job of informing Shropshire chess that John Tunks passed away last Tuesday night at the Shrewsbury hospital.

"John Tunks would himself like to be remembered for his encouragement and support to young players throughout his chess-playing years. John first started playing chess seriously in the early 1960s but was given his first showing with Shropshire when he moved into the area in the early 1970s when he helped form the Sutton Hill chess club. This club quickly grew and won the league at their first attempt.

"John then joined GKN Sankey's which within two seasons became very successful, producing many strong youngsters. John contributed greatly. Then in the early 1980s Sankey's needed a new venue and moved to the famous Coddon club which went on to become one of Shropshire's most successful until the club's closure in 2011 when they relocated to the Lion at Priorslee.

"John continued to enjoy success even at his later years, but had to endure a bypass operation in his mid-sixties and through grit and determination recovered well to play some of his best chess.

"One thing anyone knew when they sat down to play John Tunks is they were in for a tough game. Sadly for John during his last few weeks his health suffered and he passed away quietly at hospital.


"I am sure everyone who knew John will offer his family their deepest thoughts and respect."
Eugene Raby 21/05/2014

Joyce, John's wife, would welcome anyone who knew John who would wish to attend his funeral. It is to be held at the Telford Crematorium (Woodhouse Lane, Redhill,Telford. TF2 9NJ) at 11am Friday 6th June 2014.

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Dear chessplayers,
I very sadly have to report that Iain Wilson passed away earlier this afternoon at the Severn Hospice in Telford. 
As you may know, he had been suffering from cancer for some time, and had been admitted to the Hospice at the weekend.  He had been heavily sedated and died peacefully in the presence of his sister and one of his brothers.  He was unmarried and had no children.
Iain was a member of Telford Chess Club, and then Shifnal & Telford, for close on 30 years, and played a major part in the club's continued existence.
  He was captain of the Shropshire League A team and Chairman of the club for many years, and latterly also Treasurer.
He was an invaluable supporter of the Shropshire Chess Association, serving at various times and for many years as County 1st Team Captain, League Controller, General Secretary and President, usually at times when no-one else would come forward to fulfil these roles.  The Association owes him an enormous debt of gratitude for keeping these roles going, efficiently and without fuss, through difficult times.
He was a pretty strong player, being graded 149 in the July 2012 list, having been up to, I think, 156 a year or two back.  He regularly played the English as white, and was fond of the O'Kelly variation of the Sicilian as black. 
I will miss his devilish chuckle when finding the winning move in friendly games.
He was a good friend to me and to most people in the Club and Association.  He will be sadly missed.
Regards,
Richard Thompson 10/10/2012

Iain's funeral will be held on Monday week, 22nd October at 2.00pm at the Telford Crematorium, just off the A5 at Red Hill.  There will be refreshments afterwards at the Cock at Wellington. Please can we give Iain a good send-off.  I'm sure he would want it.
Richard 13/10/2012