Peter G. Wann (1942-2009)

It is with very great sadness that I have to report the death of Peter Wann on 28 August, 2009.

On a cold January afternoon in 1961 - outside St. Bride's Institute - Peter Wann, Graham Beales, David Hustler and myself formed 'Mushrooms'. This was an hour or so after the London Junior Champioonships had ended. Graham, David and I had been playing in the Championships ... Peter Wann had been Under 18 Runner-up the previous year but was now too old to compete. It would be several years before an Under 21 London Junior Championship was introduced.

An hour or so later Peter would introduce the rest of us to Bob Wade - in the 'En Passant' Coffee Bar in The Strand - Bob would acept the Life Presidency of Mushrooms and a new era of chess would begin.

I first had met Peter Wann around September 1960 when my school (John Ruskin Grammar School) played Reigate Grammar School in the Sunday Times Schools' Competition. We were crushed - I think 6-0. Martin Page and Roger Barnett were also in the Reigate GS Team. I'm still in regular touch with Martin [he and I are both members of Insurance Chess Club] and Roger Barnett plays for Redhill to this day. It was Peter who secured my invitations to play for Surrey Juniors - and also for the Surrey Senior Team. He contacted Bob Wade - who lived in Essex but played for Middlesex - and Bob arranged for me to play for Surrey.

Peter set a record of winning the Mitchell Memorial Shield - The Surrey Under 18 Chamopionship - three years running. To this very day I don't think anyone has won it more than once.

Peter's other great love was cricket - he was certainly still playing for a club side a couple of years ago. He had taken up gliding in recent years but had worked on past the usual retirement age of 65.

He and I only played two serious games. In September 1961 we entered B H Wood's Eastbourne Chess Fetival second week 5-round competition - turning up on the day. We were paired against each other as a condition of accepting our last-minute entry !!. I opened with 1. Nf3 and lost after some 60 moves. A couple of years ago we played in a Coulsdon (CCF) Rapidplay Tournament. I again had white and this time drew with a Stonewall Attack. Peter loathed such 'Stodgy Old Muck' as he called such openings !! "How could the result be anything other than a draw 'Young Wilson' [as he always called me] after such a stodgy opening" was his final word on our draw !! He introduced me to The King's Gambit back in 1960/61 - which he employed whenever possible.

He was a good friend to me - and in the early days of our friendship we had some great fun when we met up socially.

Peter leaves a widow (Mabel) and to my knowledge a son and daughter-in Law ... and at least one Grandchild. The last I heard of Peter's Sister (Joan) she was married and living in Hong Kong. Our sympathy goes to his family in this sad time.

I shall miss his friendship and Mushrooms will mourn the passing of one of the very earliest members.

Peter J. B. Wilson