Chess Scotland Noticeboard

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 8:05 pm Post subject: Johnny Marr

Very to sad to inform you that Johnny Marr passed away last night.

He was without doubt the chief influence on my play and for the love
of the game. When ever I played a good game I could not wait
to show him to get his approval. Even recently at the Edinburgh Congress
I was showing him a game I played online.

"Aye....No Bad....No bad at all..."

Wonderful words.

A great man, a great chess player, always ready with a quick joke,
never a bad word about anybody, greatly loved by all.

An awfully sad moment for me.
I'll miss him deeply and this is how I'll try and always remember him,

joking and laughing at the Edinburgh Chess Club where we played
1,000's of games againt each other whilst we traded 1,000 more jokes.
A friend who I know many will miss dearly.

My deepest commiserations to his family.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1386

That is a real shame. I've met Johnny on several occasions and he was an absolute gent. Condolences from Karen and me

DGCongalton · Queen Joined: 07 Nov 2010 Posts: 113

That is really sad news. I played John a few times this season, the last being recently at Edinburgh and thoroughly enjoyed each occassion. He was a gentleman.

AMcHarg · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 9:12 pm Post subject:

Aw this is terribly sad news! Sad

I played John a few times and he always had a great sense of humour and a clear love for the game of Chess.

Sincerest condolences to John’s friends and family.

Graeme Kafka · Rook Joined: 21 Feb 2007 Posts: 75

Really saddened this evening to hear the news of Johnny's passing.

I'll miss his jokes, his devious swindles, the looks of disapproval he invariably gave my positions at league matches... I'll miss a lot of things, but most of all I'll miss the infectious enthusiasm he brought to the club. A man who was always on hand with a smile and an encouraging word - a wonderful man who will be sorely missed by many.

Rest in peace, Johnny.

johnmcbride · Queen Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 94

Sorry to hear the news, he was a real nice man. I enjoyed playing him, he was a real character.

My condolences to all his family and friends.

HughBrechin · Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 11:03 pm Post subject:

I'm very sad to hear this. A real gentleman who truly loved the game and always had something nice to say to everyone. Playing at Alva Street won't be the same without him.

Rest in peace.

AWIC · King Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 221

I'm sorry to hear this.

I didn't know Johnny well - I think I only played him once - but he was a legend in his own lifetime, always with a laugh and a cheeky smile and looking and acting much younger than his true age.

I will remember his occasional habit, when watching games at Alva Street, of plonking himself down for a rest on any spare seat. It could be quite unnnerving to look up from your concentration and realise that your opponent had suddenly metamorphosed into Johnny Marr. He'd laugh, and for an instant you would feel that an unstoppable king side attack was heading your way.

He will be sadly missed.

Mike Scott · King Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 676 Location: Edinburgh

A great man. I had the 'misfortune' to to play him twice in recent years at the Edinburgh Allegro. In the first game I was material up with the proverbial won game but he came roaring back to slap me down. The last game I was equally unable to finish the game and was relieved, but some what ashamed, to win on time.

Never give up seemed to be his motto.

My condolences to his family.

Duncan Grassie · Rook Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 64

I will miss him too - a great man who loved his chess. The sort of guy who there are 1000 great untold stories about - I was priviliged to play in the same Edinburgh 1 team as him once in 2002 and watch him see off his opponent with the same gusto and grin on his face as a 12 year old would have done. It was impossible to tell if hed won or lost though because grades/openings/results meant nothing to him.

If anyone can live to their nineties and still have the same passion to cycle into chess club in horizontal sleet for a few games of chess then they truly have the johnny marr passion for life.

Geoff Chandler · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 12:44 pm Post subject:

The service for John takes place at the Warriston Crematorium
on Thursday the 26th May at 2pm.

sigrun · King Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 307 Location: Europa

I'm sorry I won't be able to go to his funeral - he was a great guy!
I've played him in two of the three recent Edinburgh allegros
& didn't believe him when he told me that he was in his nineties! He looked my age - not a surprise if he cycled a lot!
I'll miss him, especially at the next allegro of the Edinburgh chess club.
_________________
''All murderers are punished unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.'' Voltaire

Don Heron · Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 4:16 pm Post subject:

I am sad to hear of his death and I would like to pass on sincere condolences to his family as would Jannic Konarski, who cannot do so himself on this notice board as he is not a member. I remember John most for his jokes and for his chess endgames and swindles. I am sure he will remain in everyone's memory as a great person to have known. He will be missed.

Alan Borwell · Pawn Joined: 23 Sep 2009 Posts: 7

I was very sad to read this news and my memories of him in the late 1960's are of a really friendly gentleman. I coached his son (amongst others) during my three years in Edinburgh and John was always very supportive. We met a few times afterwards, but I had not seen him now for many years. My sincere condolences to all of his family.