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Allan Glen's School
A remarkable number of talented chess players attended this Glasgow school. Numerous chess successes were recorded by the pupils in individual and team events and, after leaving the school, many of the players went on to gain national and international chess honours.
Thanks are due to those who contributed material: Walter Buchanan, John Glendinning, Andrew Muir, Craig Pritchett and Alan Scrimgour who, by retaining printed material - and their memories - have provided the kind of historical material that is often lost.
Thanks to Andrew Muir for collating the information from various sources.
School History
The exterior of Allan Glen's School c 1876, when Charles Rennie Mackintosh was one of the pupils. The building was demolished in 1970.
Allan Glen was a wright who became a wealthy property owner and who left £20,000 in his will in 1850 to make "provision for giving gratuitously a good practical education to about fifty boys, sons of tradesmen or persons in the industrial classes in Glasgow." Allan Glen's Institution opened in 1853.
The school was built on land which Glen had owned on the corner of North Hanover Street and Cathedral Street. Incorporated by Act of Parliament in 1876, it concentrated increasingly on scientific and technical education and in 1887 its management was transferred to the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, later the Royal College of Science and Technology, and ultimately the University of Strathclyde. In 1912 the school became a Science High School under the Glasgow School Board and in 1926 it moved to the building previously occupied by Provanside Public School in North Montrose Street.
Source: http://www.theglasgowstory.com/image/?inum=TGSG00037
Reference: Heatherbank Museum of Social Work, print 6484
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow Caledonian University, Heatherbank Museum of Social Work___________________
NOTE: The 1960s was a particularly successful time for the Allan Glen's Chess Club, and this period is the main focus of the article.
Glorney Cup Representation
Many of the school's pupils were selected to represent Scotland in the Glorney Cup competition:1961 Peter Messer
1962 Peter Messer
1963 Norman Bissell
1964 Edward Davis, John Glendinning
1965 (winners) John Glendinning, Craig Pritchett, R A Batchelor, Ian Jardine
1966 John Glendinning, Craig Pritchett, Ian Jardine
1967 Craig Pritchett, Ian Jardine
1968 John Glendinning (non-playing captain)
1970 Roddy McKay, John Glendinning (non-playing captain)
1973 Walter Buchanan
1974 Walter Buchanan
1975 Walter Buchanan
1976 Walter BuchananGlasgow & District Schools' League
Glasgow League senior champions in 1963-1965 & 1967-1971 (eight times in nine years).
P.B. Anderson knockout winners in 1964, 1965, 1968 & 1971.Scottish Schools’ Team Championship
This tournament first took place in 1968 and was sponsored by the Scotsman from 1971. Allan Glen's teams were winners in 1969 and runners-up in 1972 to Ayr Academy. In 1972 the team in the final was Ken Stevenson, Stephen Swanson, David McKay (brother of Roddy McKay) and Walter Buchanan.Sunday Times British Schools’ Championship
Scottish Zonal Winners in 1962-1965, 1967-1969, 1973.
In 1965 they finished 3rd, losing to the eventual winners Dulwich College 5-1.
Partial scores are only available:
Board 1 - J Glendinning (W) 0-1 R Keene
Board 2 - R A Batchelor 0-1
Board 3 - C W Pritchett 1-0 P Morris,
Board 4 - I Jardine 0-1
Board 5 - A Wilkie 0-1,
Board 6 - G M Anderson 0-1 H T Jones
Craig Pritchett says “Ray Keene was at the 1965 Glorney Cup in Glasgow and produced the bulletin, which took place only a few days after the Sunday Times Final in London. The English team hadn't registered him as a player and had a policy (as now) of allowing others a "chance" ... but that English team was nevertheless quite a strong one!”The Glasgow Herald of Friday June 4 1965, p 7, mentioned that the semi-final and final were to be played at St Ermin's Hotel, London, July 30 and 31.
School Internal Chess Reports1962 CHESS CLUB
This session has been, for the Chess Club, the most successful to date. The first team has reached the finals of both the Anderson Knock-out Competition and the Glasgow Schools’ League and, judging by the season’s results, has excellent chances of winning both. The second team, which this year is composed exclusively of junior boys, has also distinguished itself.
Members of the Club successfully took part in both the Polytechnic Chess Club Match and the Easter Tournament. For the first time ever, the Club entered a team in the Sunday Times All-Britain Schools Championship. To our great surprise, we won the Scottish section, defeating Kelvinside Academy 5 - 1 in the finals, all our other match scores being 6- 0. We then became the first Scottish Team ever to defeat the North of England representatives. Unfortunately, a narrow defeat by Liverpool Institute prevented our participation in the finals in London, making our score in all our matches this year 14 wins, no draws, one defeat.
We are greatly indebted to Mr. D. W. Mack, without whose help and encouragement We should never have been so successful. We wish also to thank the janitors and the canteen staff for the readiness with which they catered for home matches. C. W. (VIA) and P. M. (VIc)
Season 1960-61
Back, l-r: Unidentified, Richard Burger, Robert Campbell, Norman Bissell, Nigel Allon, Edward Davis, Mr D.W. Mack
Front, l-r: John Glendinning, Colin Weir, Tom Wallace, Andrew Winter, Peter MesserThanks to Norman Bissell for identification of Richard Burger and Robert Campbell, and first names for Allon and Wallace.
Norman provided some additional information: Robert Campbell died of pneumonia when he was only about 15 years of age, a shock to the whole school; Donald Mack, the history teacher, had a distinguished career in education, later becoming HMI in Scotland (Her Majesty's Inspector)."Our paths crossed again in the 1980s when he came to Braidhurst High School in Motherwell to inspect the history department when I was Principal Teacher of History! I'm pleased to say we got a good report and am sure it had nothing to do with the fact that I could beat him at chess when he was a teacher at Allan Glen's!"
Norman also referred to his time teaching at Paisley Grammar School from 1968-1969. He was involved with the chess club there, which included Iain Sinclair, " one of the strongest student players."
Thanks also to former pupil Alasdair Macdonald (1960-66), who remembered 'Andy' Winter.
1962-63 CHESS CLUB
Firstly, we should like to congratulate one of last year’s team, P. Messer on playing for Junior Scotland in the GLORNEY Cup.
This season has been one of the most successful yet, especially within the club itself. We again won the Scottish Section of The Sunday Times National Schools’ Tournament but, after beating Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, went down once more to the holders, Liverpool Institute High. Nearer home, we have again won our section of the Glasgow Schools’ League and now confidently await the play-off between the section-winners.
Individually, it has also been an encouraging year since in the Glasgow Schools’ Easter Tournament outstanding performances were recorded by N. Bissell 6A, C. Pritchett 2B, E. Davis 5B and J. Glendinning.
But apart from these external events perhaps the most significant feature of this season has been the new interest created in the Club itself. Under the guidance of Mr. Goldin, the Club has gone from strength to strength and the total membership now exceeds 100. Both by the inauguration of new tournaments, the introduction of grading badges and by starting a special day for 1st year members under the coaching of Mr. Poray, the Chess Club has become one of the most popular of the School activities. Here also we should like to mention the addition to the School Library of a large number of Chess books, kindly donated by Mr. Dewar. The boys have derived great benefit from these this session and without doubt will continue to do so in the years to come. The spirit of enthusiasm and much-improved organisation which has become apparent in the Club this year bodes well for the future and will no doubt maintain the School’s position in the forefront of Scottish Schools’ Chess.
Once again our thanks go to Mr. Goldin, Mr. Dewar, and Mr. Poray and to the janitor and canteen staff for their assistance in home matches throughout the session.
Season 1962-63
Back row (l-r): D. Murray, R. Maxwell, A. Jeffrey, A. Fraser, G. M. Anderson, Mr J. Goldin.
Front row (l-r): I. Jardine, J. M. Glendinning, R. A. Batchelor, N. Bissell, E. Davis, C. W. Pritchett, A. McBride
1963-64 CHESS CLUB
The Club’s teams have had an exceptionally successful season, having won every match played in the two Glasgow tournaments.
In the Glasgow Schools’ League, our first and second teams have won their area divisions and, from recent results, stand an excellent chance of retaining the shield.
After three rounds of the P. B. Anderson Knock-out Tournament our ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams are winning in fine style. The latter, composed mainly of junior boys, has convincingly defeated two leading’ A ‘teams.
In the Sunday Times National Schools Tournament, which attracted five hundred and fifty entries, the Allan Glen’s team — E.Davis, R. Batchelor, J. Glendinning, C. Pritchett, I. Jardine, D. McLaughlan — has had the distinction of reaching the last sixteen. After defeating Hamilton Academy, Holy Cross (Edinburgh), Marr College (Troon), St. Joseph’s College (Dumfries) and Royal High School (Edinburgh), we emerged winners of the Scottish zone for the third successive year. In the inter-zonal play-off, we beat Bemrose School (Derby), but unfortunately lost to Carlton Grammar School (Bradford).
The success of the first team was reflected in the Easter Glasgow Schools’ Congress, in which E. Davis (VIA) and C. Pritchett (IIIB) finished first and second respectively, and in the Lanarkshire Easter Congress at Bothwell, in which I. Jardine won the minor tournament.
Internal tournaments, the most popular of which were grading tournaments, remained basically the same as last year, despite the increase in membership to over a hundred and fifty. However, at Christmas, the normal run of tournaments was broken by a simultaneous display given by Peter Messer — a former pupil and representative of Junior Scotland in the Glorney Cup — and a lightning tournament, in which moves had to be made at ten-second intervals.
Both of these met with general approval and it is hoped to organise something similar next year.
This year, a third school championship, exclusively for first year pupils, was introduced and has been won by K. Stevenson (IL). The intermediate championship for second and third years was won by C. Pritchett (IIIB) with a one hundred per cent. score, but competition is still keen in the senior championship for fourth to sixth years.
At Christmas, a library of chess magazines designed to provide recent chess literature for our members, was inaugurated. The first magazines of the library were kindly donated by Mr. Dewar and Mr. Goldin, to whom we should like to extend our thanks, and kept up to date by the addition of magazines as they were published. The library has flourished since Christmas and should prove itself a useful asset in the future.
However, undoubtedly the most exciting development this year was the introduction of a duplicated chess magazine called Choice Chess. Four issues of the magazine were produced, the last one being twenty-eight pages long, in three colours (black, red and blue), and illustrated by duplicated photographs. Several copies of the last issue — which included a report of the visit to Glasgow of Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric, one of the Western World’s leading players — were exported” to England and even more ambitious plans are being prepared for next year.
Once again, we wish to thank Mr. J. Goldin for his continued interest and encouragement, and Messrs. Dewar, Poray and Edwards for their supervision of various matches. Our thanks also go to the janitor and canteen staff for their assistance at home matches. J. M. G. (Vc) and R. A. B. (VA)
Season 1963-64
Season 1963-64
Back row (l-r): T. Westwood, A. Fraser, D. D. McKay
Middle row: R. Skelton, D. Muir, G. M. Anderson, D. Buchanan, A. Wilkie, Mr J. Goldin
Front row: I. Jardine, J. M. Glendinning, R. A. Batchelor, C. W. Pritchett, D. McLaughlan
1964-65 CHESS CLUB
This season was undoubtedly the most successful the Club has ever had, especially in external events for both teams and individuals.
At the beginning of the season, the delayed finals of the P. B. Anderson Knockout Trophy, Glasgow Schools’ Chess League first and second divisions for last year were contested and won by Allan Glen’s. We must also congratulate E. Davis (former pupil) and J. M. Glendinning (6c) for representing Scotland in the Glorney Cup —a junior European team competition. It is expected that several school players will take part this year in this event.
In the Glasgow Schools’ Chess League this year, our first and second teams have won their area divisions and are favourites to win the shields again.
In the P. B. Anderson Knockout Trophy, the Club has achieved unprecedented success in supplying both teams for the final. Our weakened “A” team beat the High School 6-1 and our strengthened “B” team beat Kelvinside Academy 6-1 to reach the final, which should be a close contest.
In the “Sunday Times” National Schools’ Tournament, the Allan Glen’s team—J. M. Glendinning, R. A. Batchelor, C. W. Pritchett, I. Jardine, G. M. Anderson, A. Wilkie — made history by being the first Scottish team to reach the quarter-finals. After winning the Scottish zone for the fourth consecutive year by beating Portobello Secondary, Daniel Stewart’s, King’s Park and Ayr Academy, we were given a bye into the last 16 schools in Great Britain. With a convincing 5.5-0.5 victory over Hutton G.S. (Preston) the team reached the quarter-finals and defeated Bolton by 5-1 to reach the semi-finals.
This season a team was entered in the first division of the Junior Postal Chess League, a correspondence team tournament organised by “CHESS.” The team finished fourth but we hope to be able to improve on this next year as our team will be almost at full strength.
A twenty board match between Glasgow and Edinburgh school players was won by 15-5 by Glasgow. The six players in our “Sunday Times” team (see above) played on boards one, two, four, seven, twelve and sixteen respectively, winning all six games.
In the Glasgow Senior Chess League, one of the teams entered by Polytechnic C.C. comprised mainly Allan Glen’s players and finished third, two points below the winners, another Polytechnic team. The Polytechnic championship was won by E. Davis, with I. Jardine (SC) second and C. W. Pritchett (4B) third.
In the annual match between Polytechnic C.C. and the Glasgow Schools, R. A. Batchelor and C. W. Pritchett represented Allan Glen’s but I. Jardine, J. M. Glendinning, G. M. Anderson. I.Carmichael and A. Wilkie also played — for Polytechnic!
In the match between Cathcart C.C. and an under 15 Glasgow Schools’ team, Allan Glen’s was represented by R. McKay (2A) and D. McLaughlan (3G) and A. Bellingham (2A), who played for Cathcart.
Internal tournaments continued in the same vein as in previous years, with the addition of a popular “ladder” tournament.
This year a trophy for the senior chess championship competition for which is still keen ─ was presented by Lord Todd of Trumpington at the official opening of the new school building.
Last year’s senior championship (which finished too late for publication) was won by J. M. Glendinning. This year’s intermediate champion is R. McKay (2A) and junior champion is D. Western (IL), who won the tournament, which attracted an entry of over 50, with a 100% score.
In February, a simultaneous display by W. A. Fairhurst — Scottish team captain and International Master — against twenty West of Scotland school players was organised. Mr. Fairhurst scored 10 wins and 10 draws including draws with G. M. Anderson, R. A. Batchelor, J. M. Glendinning from this school. The event ─ which utilised the main hail, cafeteria and cloakroom ─ ran smoothly and was a financial success, profits being donated to the Scottish Chess Association.
The Club’s success has naturally been reflected by individual successes in external tournaments and we can do no better than list these.
In the Glasgow September Weekend Tournament 1964, the Reserves section was won by J. M. Glendinning with R. A. Batchelor second; the Major “B” was won by A. Wilkie and the Boys’ Championship was won by I. Jardine with C. W. Pritchett second.
In the Glasgow Easter Congress 1965 for the Fairhurst Cup, the Championship was won by J. M. Glendinning with C. W. Pritchett fourth. The minor was won by A. Bellingham. The Congress, the biggest ever held in Scotland, was organised by Mr. J. Goldip and publicised by a brief filmed report on Scottish Television — a welcome and overdue step in the right direction.
At the Lanark Easter Congress 1965, C. W. Pritchett finished second equal in the Premier section.
In the Intermediate Composing Tournament run by the British Chess Problem Society, R. A. Batchelor was placed second.
We must also congratulate our master in charge of chess, Mr. J. Goldin, first, on being elected General Secretary of the Schools’ Chess League and, secondly, on the success he has achieved through his enthusiasm and work.
“Choice Chess” was also produced this year but proved less popular than last year, selling mainly in senior clubs, with the result that several issues are still available. We hope to be able to reduce this trend next year.
We wish to thank Messrs. Goldin, Brown and Walker for their organisational help in the Club, and the janitors and canteen staff for their continued assistance in home matches and other events.
I.M.G. (Vic).
Season 1964-65
Back row (l-r): G. Patrick, D. Muir, B. Jasani, D. Buchanan, I. Kerr, A. Fraser, D. Murray
Middle row: J. Ross, R. Skelton, R. McKay, A. Scrimgour, W. Kelly, I. Carmichael, D. McLaughlin, Mr J. Goldin
Front row: I. Jardine, C. W. Pritchett, J. M. Glendinning, R. A. Batchelor, G. M. Anderson, A. Wilkie1965-66 CHESS CLUB
The Chess Club continues to be one of the most popular school activities. With a membership of over 100, divided between a junior (First Year) Club, meeting on Wednesdays, and a Senior Club on Thursdays, the Club is indeed proving a great attraction to all years. This interest in the game can hardly fail to produce good results in both individual and team contests.
Last year the school’s memorable win in the ‘Sunday Times’ National Schools’ Tournament ended in the semi-finals in London at the end of July, when we were defeated by Dulwich College, the eventual winners. Some consolation was gained by beating Haynes Co. Grammar School in the match between the losing semi-finalists, to come third overall.
This year two teams were entered in the ‘Sunday Times’ Tournament, both of which reached the Scottish finals of their respective sections. The ‘A’ team duly won their section by defeating George Heriot’s, but the ‘B’ team lost to Ayr Academy. In the resulting play-off to decide the winner of the Scottish Zone, we must shamefully admit defeat. Ayr Academy thus became the first Scottish team to defeat us for three years.
In spite of this ‘shock’ result, however, the teams are still doing well in the Glasgow Schools’ League. All three divisions of our section of the League have been won, without defeat. We look forward with confidence to the play-offs with the winners of the other sections. In the K.O. tournament for the Anderson Trophy, the ‘A’ team have reached the final round and are favourites to retain the trophy.
During 1965 a school team came second in the 1st Division of the Junior Postal Chess League, a correspondence team tournament organised by ‘Chess.’ This year three postal teams have been entered — one in the 4th Division of the Senior P.C.L., one in the Junior 1st Division and one in the Junior 2nd Division. In all, 26 players will be playing correspondence chess during 1966 as representatives of the school.
Individually many school players have scored outside successes; the most significant of these was the selection of four players to represent Junior Scotland in the 1965 Glorney Cup Tournament held in Glasgow. These four players, R. A. Batchelor, J. M. Glendinning (both F.P.’s now) I. Jardine, C. W. Pritchett, helped Scotland to victories over the three home countries, to win the Glorney Cup outright for the first time. This years’ Glorney Cup Tournament will be held in Paris, and two foreign teams will be competing along with the home countries. Of the above four, only R. A. Batchelor is ineligible to play, and so the school should again be well represented in the Scottish team.
In the Glasgow September Weekend Congress, 1965, E. Davis, J. Glendinning (both F.P.’s) and C. Pritchett tied 2nd in the Premier Event. In the u-16 section, R. J. Skelton came 2nd. and in the u-15 section, A. Scrimgour tied 1st. Several other A.G.’s players took part in this Congress with good results.
Six players were chosen to represent Glasgow in the recent Glasgow v. Edinburgh Schools’ match—C. W. Pritchett (Board 1), I. Jardine, (Bd. 2), A. Wilkie (Bd. 5), G. M. Anderson (Bd. 8), I. C. Carmichael (Bd. 12), and R. McKay (Bd. 17).
Congratulations must also go to Mr. Goldin, master-in-charge, who was chosen to represent Britain in a correspondence match now under way with Czechoslovakia.
Inside the Club itself, grading tournaments prove as popular as ever and the individual School Championships are in progress. Last year’s championship results were: Senior — C. W. Pritchett, who becomes the first person to hold the sleek trophy presented by Lord Todd; Intermediate — R.McKay; and Junior—D. Western.
This year saw the completion of the Club’s new demonstration board, which is already being used on a small scale to teach the rudiments of the game to the First Year.
Finally, our acknowledgments. First, thanks, must go to Mr. W. A. Fairhurst, President of the Scottish Chess Association, whose generous help and encouragement to the ‘Sunday Times’ Team before last year’s finals was greatly appreciated. Secondly, thanks must go to Messrs, Goldin, Brown and Walker for the organisational work in the club, and also to the janitors and canteen staff for their continued assistance in home matches. Thirdly, thanks must go to the Art and Technical Depts. for their help and advice in the making of the demonstration board.
1966-67 CHESS CLUB
This year the Chess Club has again scored many individual and team successes.
The greatest individual success was, of course, the inclusion of Craig W. Pritchett in the Scottish Inter-national team at Board 4 to play in the XVIIth World Chess Olympiad in Havana, Cuba, held between October 26th and November 19th [1966]. However, several others deserve mention.
In the Scottish Junior Team which played in a Junior International Tournament in Paris in August, two School players, C. W. Pritchett and Ian Jardine, helped Scotland to second place (behind England but ahead of Holland, Wales, France and Ireland) and are both eligible for this year’s tournament in Wales.
In the Glasgow Chess League Championships held during the September Weekend, several successes were achieved in the main tournament, C. W. Pritchett tied for the Glasgow Chess League individual championship; in the under-17 section W. A. McDonald tied for second place; in the under-16 section A. Scrimgour was placed second; and in the under-15 section A. Bellingham tied for first place.
During the Easter holidays the school entered twenty-nine players in the Third Annual Glasgow Junior Chess Congress. The best results were achieved by R. McKay, who won the championship section and the Fairhurst Trophy, which stays in the school for the fourth year in succession; by W. MacDonald, who won the Premier, and S. Miller, who won the Major. Other prize-winners were A. Scrimgour, D. Western, G. Duncan, G. Sharp, W. Elliot, W. McMillan, H. Cameron, R. Clark, M. Lavansch, J. Davidson, R. Barr and R. Ross. A great success!
The school teams have also been successful this year. In the Sunday Times Tournament Scotland was divided into two zones with a team from Allan Glen’s in each. The 1st Team won their zone comfortably and now are paired with Bolton Grammar School in the First Round of the final stages. But honours go to the 2nd Team, who fought their way bravely to the semi-finals of their zone, before succumbing by the very narrow margin of 34 to 24 to Ayr Academy, the eventual zone-winners.
In the P. B. Anderson Trophy the 1st Team has now qualified for the final round and confidently awaits the play-off.
In the Glasgow School Leagues, the Senior and Junior teams have both qualified for the play-off stages but the Intermediate team was narrowly knocked out by Eastbank 1st team.
During 1966 the school entered three teams in the postal chess competitions organised by the periodical 'Chess'. The school ‘A’ team was the most successful of these and won Division 4 of the Senior League.
Internally, the Chess Club is still a popular at-traction to boys of the school, especially to those in the first and second years. The demonstration board recently constructed in the school is being regularly used to teach the First year boys, mainly by Mr. McNeill. The school championships are in full swing and the club offers various other chess competitions to its members. Last year’s championship winners were as follows: Junior, D. Millar; Intermediate, W. A. McDonald; Senior, C. W. Pritchett.
Finally, we extend our thanks to all staff who have helped the club during the season, especially Messrs. Goldin, Brown and McNeill, and to the janitors and the canteen staff for their continued assistance at home matches. C. W. P. (6A)
Season 1966-67
1967-68 CHESS CLUB
The Chess Club has enjoyed yet another successful season which, as far as school teams are concerned, has been something of a revolutionary experience (although perhaps a traumatic one for the secretary and his ever-increasing fixture lists). For the first time in our history we have run six teams in the Glasgow Schools’ League and at present, before the confidently awaited play-offs for the League Championships, their positions are as follows:
Positions refer to those in various area sections of the Leagues.
The Senior Team has met serious opposition only from the High School, with whom we drew; the Intermediate ‘A’ has annihilated all opposition; and the performance of all three Junior Teams augurs well for the future. Indeed, our club has probably the strongest Junior Section in Glasgow, if not in Scotland. In the P. B. Anderson Trophy Competition our Senior Team has comfortably reached the final, beating Hillhead 1st and King’s Park 1st convincingly. Our 2nd team in this event (Intermediate ‘A’ above) will play High School in the quarter-finals—a much delayed match—and our 3rd team gained useful experience before being trounced 6-0 by Hutchesons’ in the third round. Yet again we would seem to have excellent chances of retaining the trophy.
The other main event of the season has been the Sunday Times National KO Competition, Zonal finals which we seem to have a habit of winning, his year has been no exception. Our Senior Team has won the 2nd Scottish Zone and now awaits the 1st Interzonal match with Wintringham Grammar of Grimsby. In winning the Zone, points analysis was: For-25, Against-5.
Perhaps our best result of the season was our 4-2 defeat of Boroughmuir (2 wins, 4 draws) in the 1st round of this competition.
In the Scottish Junior Team Championships we fared as follows:
Allan Glen’s I 2nd 90%
Allan Glen’s II 6th 65%
Boroughmuir won this event, thus gaining revenge for their defeat mentioned above.In the Glasgow Chess League September Congress, R.McKay (Senior Team Captain) held his own among really top-class opposition in the Glasgow Open Championship, E. Gilmour and A. Bellingham tied for the under─16 championship and A. Scrimgour and G. Duncan were 2nd and 4th equal respectively in the under─17 championship. Other boys did well, but shortage of space prevents their mention.
Finally, I must thank Mr. J. N. McNeill and Mr. Goldin whose organisational brilliance has regenerated enthusiasm within the club, fostered our strong Junior Section and rehabilitated the various club championships which are now in progress. The continued assistance of janitors and canteen staff at home matches is, as always, greatly appreciated. G. D. D. (6A)
Season 1967-68
Season 1969-70
Spring 1970
Autumn 1970
1970-71 CHESS CLUB
Session 1970-71 was one of mixed fortunes for the club as a whole.
The Senior “A” team was the only team to qualify for the Glasgow League play-offs, easily beating St. Mungo’s 4½ to 1½ and Hillhead High 5½ to ½, thus retaining the Glasgow League Championship yet again.
Allan Glen’s entered two teams in the P. B. Anderson Tournament, and both battled their way through to the final, where the “A” team won easily by 5½ to ½. In the “Sunday Times” National Schools Tournament, the “B” team made an early exit, but the “A” team reached the Zonal Final, ony to lose to Ayr Academy by 4 to 2. This was the first match that the “A” team had lost on actual board points in two years.
In the Dunfermline Chess Jamboree held in February, overt ten boards, Allan Glen’s finished first out of over thirty other schools, beating St. Mungo’s by half a point.
Our thanks go to Mr Gardner for his invaluable help and advice over the past year, and to the canteen staff for their assistance in catering for home matches. W. Elliot (6A).
Season 1970-71
Note: D. Mackay should read D. McKay (brother of Roddy McKay)
Remarks
Some references, comments and reminiscences from the contributors:Norman Bissell
Connections here and at
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www.atlanticislandsfestival.comWalter Buchanan was 1st= in the 1976 Scottish Boys’ Championship.
Comments by Walter:
"A maths teacher Mr Gardner ran the school chess club most efficiently for I think the first 4 years I was there (mid-70 to 74) , before moving somewhere on the west coast to take up a position of headmaster. JL Gardner could hold his own against his crop of juniors (Steve Swanson excepted), but didn’t play often. He took us to matches and provided the whole chess environment (and encouragement, tournament notices etc) which I regret to say to say I rather took for granted. I sometimes wonder what became of him. I guess the head wouldn’t run a club, but I sometimes wonder if he played or still plays locally. He was a young teacher then and it’s possible he only retired recently so I’d be interested if anybody has any information.The club met on Thursdays after classes and for me it added a real glow to that day of the week. Craig, did Mr Goldin invent the coloured chess badge system at Glens? I always assumed it was Mr Gardner. The metal badges looked quite impressive - I think the order was red, orange, yellow, green (?) and finally blue which was like, GM title. I saw a blue one once in Mr G’s drawer and I didn’t follow any lessons the next day. It was quite cool to wear one of these badges – there was one guy who having won the first three, wore them all and he was also in a the rugby team that won something which meant he could wear a stripe so his blazer looked like the one in Andrew McHarg’s moniker. Trying to see it all now from the educational point of view, it was great for us to be able to choose something to be enthusiastic about, and the school had loads of clubs and societies, all run by the goodwill of teachers of course – a vast additional resource that seemed to go unappreciated by the powers that be.
So the building is gone – a bit sad at that, need to take a walk up and see. Thanks for the reflections." - WBuchanan
Roy Batchelor biographical information here.
Edward Davis played for Castlemilk and Polytechnic Chess Clubs for many years and won the Richardson Cup with both clubs. He won the Polytechnic club championships many times. Also, see here.
Mr J. Gardner
Walter Buchanan comments:
"A maths teacher Mr Gardner ran the school chess club most efficiently for I think the first 4 years I was there (mid-70 to 74) , before moving somewhere on the west coast to take up a position of headmaster. JL Gardner could hold his own against his crop of juniors (Steve Swanson excepted), but didn’t play often. He took us to matches and provided the whole chess environment (and encouragement, tournament notices etc) which I regret to say to say I rather took for granted. I sometimes wonder what became of him. I guess the head wouldn’t run a club, but I sometimes wonder if he played or still plays locally. He was a young teacher then and it’s possible he only retired recently so I’d be interested if anybody has any information.The club met on Thursdays after classes and for me it added a real glow to that day of the week. Craig, did Mr Goldin invent the coloured chess badge system at Glens? I always assumed it was Mr Gardner. The metal badges looked quite impressive - I think the order was red, orange, yellow, green (?) and finally blue which was like, GM title. I saw a blue one once in Mr G’s drawer and I didn’t follow any lessons the next day. It was quite cool to wear one of these badges – there was one guy who having won the first three, wore them all and he was also in a the rugby team that won something which meant he could wear a stripe so his blazer looked like the one in Andrew McHarg’s moniker. Trying to see it all now from the educational point of view, it was great for us to be able to choose something to be enthusiastic about, and the school had loads of clubs and societies, all run by the goodwill of teachers of course – a vast additional resource that seemed to go unappreciated by the powers that be.
So the building is gone – a bit sad at that, need to take a walk up and see. Thanks for the reflections." – W Buchanan
From Alan McGowan:
referred to by Walter Buchanan and shown in the photograph for 1970/71: I recognise Mr Gardner as someone I played in 1976 and 1978. He represented Shettleson CC on both occasions.John Glendinning (1947-2026) worked at Scottish Amicable for over 40 years, was involved in the formation of the Scottish Junior Chess Association. He was a longtime president of the Scottish Chess Association and organised the visit of World Champion Anatoly Karpov to Scotland as part of the SCA centenary celebrations in 1984.
While John eventually stepped back from active chess-playing to major in chess administration (writes Craig Pritchett), his playing achievements are also of note. Two games tell a tale: one from his more active, early junior internationalist years, and another from the 1990s, in both of which John scored memorable wins against two Scottish IMs (the first IM title, in 1965, still ‘eventual’). By winning the prestigious 1965 Glasgow Schools Easter Chess Championships, John achieved what was perhaps his most cherished junior tournament result. He headed second-placed, W P (Peter) Watson, by a half point. My chances nose-dived, following a loss in a must-win battle against John towards the end of the event.
Craig Pritchett-John Glendinning
Glasgow Schools Championship 1965
Sicilian Defence: Nimzowitsch Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.exd5 Nxd5 5.Bb5+ Bd7 6.Ne5
Against a perhaps slightly dubious, if tactically edgy variation, White raises the option of the sharp attacking idea Qf3, which remains critical.
6...e6 7.Qf3 Qf6 8.Nxd7 Nxd7 9.Bxd7+ Kxd7 10.Qe4
Black's king remains stuck in the centre and White has an attacking pull. But Black can still fight.
10...Qg6 11.Qa4+ Kd8 12.0–0 Bd6?!
Although with hindsight, Black should probably have first played 12...Qh5, so that after 13.Nxd5 Qxd5!, he can keep matters more closed.
13.Nxd5 exd5 14.d4 Qe4 15.Be3?!
As here, 15.Qb5!, threatening both Black pawns on b7 and c5, looks strong. White, however, was already getting carried away with a plan to blast open Black's centre and get at Black’s king, with his 14th and 16th moves. Raw junior!
15...Kc7 16.c4?
Both 16.Rfe1 and 16.b3 still clearly improve.
16...cxd4 17.cxd5 Qe5!
Ouch! Black threatens mate, thereby extracting Black's queen from the pin along the 4th rank, and remaining healthy.
18.Rac1+??
White had to play 18.Rfc1+, and if 18...Kd8 19.Qxd4 Qxh2+ 20.Kf1 Qh1+ 21.Ke2 Qh5+ (21...Qxg2 22.Rg1) 22.g4 Qg6, which saves White's bishop and remains unclear. White instantaneously and worse, unthinkingly, grabbed the ‘wrong’ rook. White’s ‘attack’ is completely chimeric.
18...Kd8 19.g3 dxe3 20.fxe3 f6 21.Qg4 f5 22.Rxf5 Qxe3+ 23.Kg2 Qxc1 24.Rf7 Be7 25.Rxe7 Kxe7 26.Qe6+ Kd8 27.Qd6+ Kc8 28.Qe6+ Kc7 29.Qe7+
Black's king evades all attempts at escape by perpetual check, such as after 29.Qe5+ Kb6!, and if, for example, 30.Qd6+ Ka5 31.Qa3+ Kb5 32.Qb3+ Kc5 33.Qa3+ Kxd5 34.Qd3+ Ke5 35.Qe2+ Kd6, again heading for b8, followed, if required, by an eventually decisive ...Qc7 block.
29...Kb8 30.Qe5+ Qc7 31.d6, and White resigned.
Fast forward almost exactly 30 years and we find John achieving probably the most cherished tournament success of his mature years. In winning the very strong Cathcart Open championship, in 1994, John had to fight off a serious challenge from Stephen Mannion, who had just gained his IM title, a year earlier.
Against Stephen, John chose a tough and apparently well-prepared line in the Caro Kann. White retained more space, but Black stood solid on the kingside, and in the centre, especially on the central light squares. Long, complex manoeuvres ensued.
White eventually lost this fight, probably beginning around move 22, when, perhaps ill-advisedly hoping for a more propitious moment, he held back from an immediate 22.a4!. Black then cleverly got a knight to c4, followed, after White’s 29th move, by an even stronger knight on d5. This knight, along with Black’s powerful a-file pressure, soon decided.
This game won the ‘best game’ prize for the tournament (nominated by IM Roddy McKay). In winning the event, John became the first and ‘fitting winner of the Alan Shaw Memorial
Shield’, wrote Alistair Maxwell, in the December 1994 issue of the Scottish Chess Magazine, ‘as he played alongside Alan in the Glorney Cup team in the 1960s’.Stephen Mannion–John Glendinning
Cathcart Open 1994
Caro Kann Defence1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.Nc3 e6 5.g4 Bg6 6.Nge2 Be7 7.Be3 Nd7 8.Qd2 h5 9.g5 Bb4 10.a3 Bxc3 11.Nxc3 Ne7 12.Ne2 Qb6 13.c3 Be4 14.Rg1 Nf5 15.Nf4 g6 16.Be2 Ne7 17.f3 Bf5 18.Kf2 Kf8 19.c4 Kg7 20.c5 Qc7 21.b4 b5 22.cxb6 axb6 23.Rgc1 Qb7 24.Rc3 24.b5 25.Nd3 Bxd3 26.Bxd3 Nb6 27.Qd1 Nc4 28.Bc1 Qb6 29.Bxc4 dxc4 30.Be3 Nd5 31.Rc2 Ra4 32.Qd2 Qa6 33.Rca2 Ra8 34.f4 Nxb4 35.Rb2 Nd5 36.f5 c3 37.Qc2 cxb2 38.Rf1 Nxe3 39.Kxe3 exf5 40.e6 Rxa3+ 41.Kf4 fxe6 42.Re1 Qb6 43.Qd2 Qc7+ 0–1
Mr J. Goldin
Craig Pritchett included a tribute to teacher Mr Goldin in one of his books, Chess for Rookies (p. 9):
"I owe a special debt to Mr Jack Goldin (1922-1996), a mathematics teacher ... whose hard work in ensuring that the [Allan Glen's] school chess club developed into the largest and strongest in Scotland was critical in my chess development."Mr Goldin was a member of the Glasgow Jewish CC team that won the 1st Division of the Glasgow League in season 1952/53.
Scottish Chess Bulletin 1965, Nr. 18, indicates that Mr Goldin was General Secretary of the Glasgow Junior Chess Leagues, and was playing in a postal match between GB and Czechoslovakia. (Alan McGowan)
Ian Jardine went into US academia as an organic chemist.
Willie McDonald played for Giffnock & Clarkston Chess Club in the 1970s.
John McIntyre left in 1968 and joined Post Office Telephones. He played chess for them for many decades.
Roddy McKay was later awarded the title of International Master. He had an outstanding result when he represented Scotland at the 1968 Olympiad at 16 years of age. Full details details here.
Roddy's brother, David McKay, also attended the school. He is included in the 1970-71 photo and mentioned in relation to the Scottish Schools' Team Championship 1972. He should not be confused with D.D. McKay in the 1963-64 photo.
Peter Messer studied for PhD at Strathclyde University and played in their chess championship in 1969.
George Moultrie came 2nd in the 1975 Scottish Boys’ Championship.
Craig Pritchett was later awarded the title of International Master. Full details here.
Comments by Craig:
Some very interesting stuff here and some selected highlights from Choice Chess might be particularly interesting!I was fascinated to see the link to Norman Bissell. Had no idea about his poetic / cultural links. I often wondered, too, what became of Peter Messer, who was in 6th year when I arrived in 1st year, and was clearly an outstanding chess player (last time I recall meeting him he was a PhD student, I think, at Strathclyde university). Does anyone know?
Re: more exactly contemporary early-mid-60s players, I still remain in occasional touch with Ian Carmichael (Chemistry professor, South Bend USA), who I last met at a school year reunion in Glasgow a couple of years ago) but lost touch with Ian Jardine (who also went into US academia as another organic chemist some decades ago). Sadly Andy Wilkie died a couple of years ago (in Glasgow). Alan Scrimgour also recently told me that Gregor Duncan is now the Episcopalian bishop of Glasgow.
Alan Scrimgour was Glasgow Boys' Champion 1968, Polytechnic club champion and represented Scotland in the European senior team championships.
Stephen Swanson was joint Scottish Champion in 1975. He represented Scotland at the Olympiads of 1976, 1980 and 1982.
Andrew Wilkie (died 2011) was talented in music and poetry. He was a successful businessman, managing hotels and pubs. A fine tribute to him can be found here.
Graham Sharp was 2nd= in the 1970 Scottish Boys' Championship
Graham, who provided the photo of the 1969-70 club team, took over from Roddy McKay as board 1. He points out that Stephen Swanson was 1st= in the Scottish Championship 1975. He also recalls the strong associations between Allan Glen's pupils and staff and several Glasgow clubs. Cathcart CC benefitted from John Glendinning, Roddy McKay and Graham himself and John McNeill, a teacher, all of them in Cathcart's winning Richardson Cup team of 1970. In the 1960s Polytechnic CC fielded most of the AG first team, including Craig Pritchett.
Compiled by Alan McGowanUpdated 24/10/2026
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