Tony Kirby, Barrow chess player since the mid 1950’s has sadly passed away aged 82 on the 18th February 2021.
Tony was a strong player throughout his chess career and a tough competitor, reaching a grade of 151 in 2010.
His first success was in the Barrow Championship as long ago as 1955 and won again in 1988.
One of five chess playing brothers along with his father Norry Kirby, Trevor Blower tells the story of a get together in the Barrow club in 1990’s where Norry in his 90’s was joined at the club by his five sons, all six of them pensioners!
The top photo includes Tony in the Barrow Cumbria Major winning team in 1985.
The bottom photo is from the South Lakes Congress 2010 in Grange-over-Sands where Tony on the left is playing Bill Burgess from Carlisle.
Tony v Bill Burgess
Anyone know who is winning?
