The ECF is very sad to learn of the passing last night of International Master Michael Basman.
Michael was a renowned English chess player, author and organiser who was awarded the International Master title in 1980.
As well as competing at the highest levels of English chess over many years, his achievements including popularising the Grob and invention of the Basman Attack and St George’s Defence openings, the latter being used by GM Tony Miles to defeat GM Anatoly Karpov.
He also founded and organised the UK Chess Challenge from 1996 and was a central figure in bringing chess to several generations of junior players.
In 2020 he was one of ten chess seniors who were the subject of a tribute by FIDE for their contributions to the game. He was described in that as a guru of the English chess scene, and a true iconoclast, both of which descriptions were well merited.
We send our condolences to Michael’s family and his many friends and colleagues on the passing of a much-respected figure who made such a huge contribution to English chess. He will be greatly missed.