Dr Joseph Fine

Born ca. 1900, Russia - Died ca. 1988

Photo courtesy of Martyn Griffiths

Joseph Fine was associated with the Glasgow University and Glasgow Jewish Chess Clubs and, later, chess in Newport, Wales.

His family immigrated from Russia and in the 1911 Census they are shown living at 41 Hospital Street, Gorbals, Glasgow.

In 1914-15 he was the Dux of John Street Secondary School in Bridgeton, Glasgow. https://goo.gl/o5eLZn

In season 1920-21 he played for Glasgow University: in a 2nd Division Glasgow League match against Bearsden he drew on board 1 against W. Higgins; in a first round Spens Cup tie against Glasgow Ladies' CC he lost on board 1 to Miss Gilchrist in a match that University only narrowly won by 4-3; in another 2nd Division Glasgow League match against Wishaw he won on board 2 against G. Downil, and in another Spens Cup match against Edinburgh Ladies' CC he defeated Miss Forbes on board 2, though the Ladies won 4-3.

In season 1922-23 he was still representing the Glasgow University club in the Spens Cup and in the 2nd Division of the Glasgow League.

In the 1927 Spens Cup final he played on board 2 for the Glasgow Jewish CC, drawing with A. Finlayson of Perth in a match won 5½-1½ by the Jewish club.

In 1930 he graduated Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Public Health (B.Sc. (Pure), MB, Ch. B,, D.P.H) from the University of Glasgow. In 1931 he graduated Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) with Commendation from the same university. His thesis was 'Influence of Serum on Enzymes'.

In 1942 he was sent to Palestine as a doctor with the Royal Army Medical Corps (Nr. 234846). A photo album relating to his time in Palestine is available at https://goo.gl/Vobwfn

1948 he was made Chief Pathologist at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He was active in the chess community, winning the county Championship in 1948, 1950, 1951, 1956 (joint) and 1957 and the Newport Club Championship 1949 and 1955.  He played on top board for the county for most of this time. 

Dr Fine later took a position as Government Pathologist at the Central Hospital in Kitwe, Zambia. His name is associated with several professional publications relating to his work in that country. 

Additions/corrections welcomed.

Sources:
ScotlandsPeople web site https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/
Falkirk Herald of 24 November, 8 December and 22 December 1920, 26 January 1921, 17 January 1923.
The Scotsman, 28 June 1930, p 15 and 19 October 1931, p 14.
Supplemenmt to the London Gazette, 19 June 1942.
Martyn Griffiths, historian of chess in Wales

Compiled by Alan McGowan