The Congress pays its deepest respects to Bernard Cafferty, who sadly passed away this week at the age of 92.
By his own account Bernard first visited the town of Hastings in the spring of 1952, while a first-year student at Birmingham University. On that occasion he competed in the British Boys’ (under-18) Championship, sharing first place with P. Gibbs and P. Sanderson. At the Hastings Congress of 1959/60 Bernard won the Premier Reserves, Major, scoring 6/9, ahead of Leonard Barden (who he beat in the first round). This result qualified Bernard for the following year’s Premier. It proved a tough affair, Bernard’s four draws and five losses unfortunately leaving him in last place. The winner (he had won the year before too) was Svetozar Gligoric.
In the 1967/8 Congress, playing in the Challengers’ tournament Bernard finished in a tie for 2nd on 6/9 (only losing to the eventual winner, Danny Wright.) He repeated this result, 6/9 and a tie for second, three years later.
Bernard’s many achievements and career milestones include his editorship of the British Chess Magazine (1981-1991) and his numerous books on chess. Notably he translated many Russian works into English, including Botvinnik’s Achieving The Aim, a personal favourite of his.
From 1999 to 2010 Bernard was President of Hastings Chess Club. He was also five times club champion (three times shared, including in 2016.) This summer, on his 92nd birthday, a special ‘Bernard’s Birthday Blitz’ was arranged in his honour at the club, and Bernard himself took part. The photo was taken that day.
We extend our profound sympathy to Bernard’s relatives and to his many friends.
