19-11-2018, 06:37 PM
Sad news indeed. I’m sure lots of us have fond memories of Ken. Here are some of mine...
Although I first met Ken Stewart about 40 years ago it was many, many years later before I learned that Ken’s mum (a Mrs Stewart - duh!) was actually my Primary 1 teacher. So I have learned rather a lot from the Stewart family over the years!
My first memory of being interested in chess was an open day at Coatbridge Library run by Ken Stewart. This must have been around 1981/82 and I can vividly remember Ken showing a group of us a smothered mate chess puzzle and I was very enthusiastic about learning more so Ken gave me details of some local clubs and suggested I went along to one! I can also remember the delight of drawing with Ken when he gave a simultaneous display a few years later at Kirkshaws juniors.
Fast forward a couple of years and Ken played in the LCL team with us at Coatbridge Chess Club when we were promoted to Div.1. and needed a strong player to head three up and coming juniors. We ended up winning Div1 the following year!
Ken - the Arbiter - was omnipresent at congresses and I can remember him trying to explain the intricate details of allegro finish rules to me (West of Scotland Champ) when I was sure I should have been awarded a draw but was disappointed after being awarded the loss. Ken was (of course) correct as I hadn’t been able to show on the board any drawing method as we were just into the ending. Ken was a great source of knowledge for the rules and any wacky permutation of examples that Alex Gillies could dream up!
Ken was present through lots of my Chess memories for the last 40 years - he will be sadly missed.
Although I first met Ken Stewart about 40 years ago it was many, many years later before I learned that Ken’s mum (a Mrs Stewart - duh!) was actually my Primary 1 teacher. So I have learned rather a lot from the Stewart family over the years!
My first memory of being interested in chess was an open day at Coatbridge Library run by Ken Stewart. This must have been around 1981/82 and I can vividly remember Ken showing a group of us a smothered mate chess puzzle and I was very enthusiastic about learning more so Ken gave me details of some local clubs and suggested I went along to one! I can also remember the delight of drawing with Ken when he gave a simultaneous display a few years later at Kirkshaws juniors.
Fast forward a couple of years and Ken played in the LCL team with us at Coatbridge Chess Club when we were promoted to Div.1. and needed a strong player to head three up and coming juniors. We ended up winning Div1 the following year!
Ken - the Arbiter - was omnipresent at congresses and I can remember him trying to explain the intricate details of allegro finish rules to me (West of Scotland Champ) when I was sure I should have been awarded a draw but was disappointed after being awarded the loss. Ken was (of course) correct as I hadn’t been able to show on the board any drawing method as we were just into the ending. Ken was a great source of knowledge for the rules and any wacky permutation of examples that Alex Gillies could dream up!
Ken was present through lots of my Chess memories for the last 40 years - he will be sadly missed.