Monday 30 December 2013

Jonathan Payne: Notice of funeral arrangements

Some of you may already know the very sad news about Jonathan Payne (14), a member of the Junior Chess Club over several years and regular player for the past few seasons in club matches (CDCL and Leamington League). He died in a fatal accident shortly before Christmas. An obituary notice from the Coventry Evening Telegraph including information about his funeral arrangements is copied below.

As Bob Wildig (Club Secretary and organiser of the Junior Chess Club) noted in a message to Jonathan's dad Mark, Jonathan came to our club without fail ever since we started and it was great to see him getting better and better. The Junior Club and the teams he played for will miss him so much.

As one of his teamates (in Rugby C) I can say that it has been great to see him playing so strongly in matches this year, frequently as Board 1. He was always willing to turn out for games (something that Captain Jim particularly appreciated) and he clearly loved playing chess. This year his hard work was rewarded with some notable successes in Junior tournaments, winning second place in the Northamtonshire championships and also qualifying for the Gigafinal. He was a player of great promise and impressive dedication.

The club extends its sympathy to Jonathan's family at this very sad time.

Note that donations rather than flowers are requested and the club will donate from club funds.