Remembering Jonathan Penrose

The Jonathan Penrose Memorial Chess Challenge, held at Colchester Town Hall on 7 October, was a felicitous tribute to the ten-time British champion, who died in 2021, and would have turned 90 on that very day.

Before it was razed by Boudicca, Colchester was one of the earliest Roman settlements on these isles. More recently, it was awarded city status as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and 2023 has been deemed a ‘Year of Celebration’ for the city, with a series of cultural events. Penrose, who was born in Colchester, was honoured with a simultaneous display given by eight-time British champion Michael Adams. The event marked the opening of the Jonathan Penrose Chess Park – a collection of public chess tables located by the Roman Wall side of the city’s Mercury Theatre, whose website carries an encomium for Penrose (www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/jonathan-penrose-chess-park/). It augurs well for the popularity of future chess installations in parks and public spaces, following the announcement of government support back in August.