Alan P. Borwell

11 August 1937, York

Mr Borwell has been a particularly significant figure in the development of chess in Scotland ever since he arrived in 1965. He has played an important part in the organisation and administration of both over-the-board and correspondence chess matters.

Associated with Edinburgh, Bearsden, Perth and Dundee Chess Clubs.

Initiated the Perth Weekend Congress in 1974 and was Congress Director for the first 12 events.

Former secretary (1976) and council member of the Scottish Chess Association.

First president of the Scottish Correspondence Chess Association (founded 1977), serving in this role for 20 years. He was also the editor of 72 editions of the SCCA printed magazine, to 2001.

Instrumental in securing full, independent membership for Scotland in the ICCF (International Correspondence Chess Federation).

Became ICCF Treasurer in 1981 (served 12 years), Deputy President in 1994, and President in 1997, serving until 2003 when he retired and was appointed Honorary President.

After learning chess at age 14, Alan joined the school chess club and, later, York CC. He was active in local and county chess, the following being some of his successes:-

  • York CC champion 1955 and 1956.

  • Won the York Open several times. 

  • Was a member of the organising committee for the 1959 British Championships in York.

  • Had notable wins in simultaneous displays against British Champion R.G. Wade (1961), and even more significantly, Paul Keres (1962).

  • Joint 1st in 1964 Yorkshire Easter Open Congress, which included a win against British Champion Michael Haygarth.

  • Member of York CC team that won the 1965 National Club Championship by defeating Oxford University 4-2.

Arrival in Scotland
A job promotion brought Alan to Edinburgh in 1965. He joined Edinburgh CC, playing top board in league matches. During his time there he won the League Individual Knockout, the President's Cup, and was runner-up in the club championship. He also coached a select group of promising juniors from senior schools.

Alan was nominated as the East of Scotland representative for the 1966 British Championship in Sunderland. His score of 5½/11 included a win against 10 times and reigning Scottish Champion, Dr. J.M. Aitken.

Glasgow
Another job promotion took Alan to Glasgow in 1967. He joined Bearsden CC and was a member of their 1969 Spens Cup winning team. He finished 2nd in the 1970 Glasgow Open with 7/10, behind N.J. Young.

Alan was also selected to take part in a training tournament designed to select a team for the 1968 Olympiad. He drew with Fairhurst, but after three games was obliged to withdraw from the tournament/squad because of extreme work pressure.

Perth
Alan's job took him to Perth in 1971. He joined Perth CC and played for them in the TAFCA League, though he represented Dundee CC in the Richardson Cup in 1971/2/3.

In 1974 he initiated the Perth Weekend Congress and acted as Congress Director for the first 12 events.

Correspondence Chess
Alan became involved with correspondence chess in 1959 and represented Yorkshire over the next 50 years. He began playing in individual CC tournaments organised by B.H. Wood's Chess magazine's Postal Chess Club, first in the Premier then in the Championship, winning it in 1961-62 with 10/12 points.

In the mid 1960s he started playing British CC events - Candidates and Champions sections - continuing to 1971 when he started to enter ICCF Master Class Tournaments, from which he qualified to play in World CC Championship Semi-Finals for the next 40 years.

Correspondence chess in Scotland had been organised by Bernard Partridge, a teacher at the High School of Glasgow, in association with the Scottish Chess Association. However, in 1977 Mr Partridge became a significant figure in the formation of the Scottish Correspondence Chess Association, with Alan Borwell serving as President for the first 20 years.

During this time, Alan was involved in securing full ICCF membership for Scotland, which allowed participation in the CC Olympiads and all other ICCF tournaments. In its first Olympiad, Scotland qualified for the Final, shared joint 3rd and the bronze medals, finishing ahead of the reigning champions England (beating them 5-1).

In 1983 Alan became ICCF Treasurer, serving in this role for 12 years. During this time Scotland hosted two ICCF Congresses - Peebles in 1985 and Perth in 1994. 

Alan was appointed Deputy President of ICCF in 1994 and President in 1997, serving until 2003 when he retired and became Honorary President. During this period he oversaw the publication of ICCF Gold: 50th Jubilee Celebrations (1951-2001), a detailed history of the organisation. In all, he attended 30 ICCF Congresses.

After moving to live in Inchture he coached chess (and cricket!) in all 6 Primary Schools in Carse of Gowrie and ran a Chess Club in village for over 10 years, during which period, teams were entered in the TAFCA League and the SNCL.

After this Club became defunct due to shortage of senior helpers, played for Dundee Chess Club, becoming Treasurer and President of TAFCA for 6 years.

Member Dundee CC A team winners of TAFCA League for 5 successive years.

Committee Member and Treasurer for Dundee 150 & 2017 Scottish Congress.  

At the time of writing (April 2020) Alan is a member of the committee planning the 200th anniversary celebrations of Edinburgh Chess Club in 2022.

Scottish Correspondence Chess Association web site:-
https://www.scottishcca.co.uk/index.html


Alan McGowan
Archivist/Historian, Chess Scotland  

Updated 5/6/2020