From Roelof's chess friends ...

 

Paul Stephenson 

I am sorry to hear such sad news, please do pass on my condolences to the family. I will also share as requested a couple of my own memories of a very special man.

As a youth finding my way both in life and as a chess player, he was one of a number of very good players, who found the time to talk with me, both at the club and down the pub afterwards and I somehow even managed to end up sharing a room with him at my one and only visit to the Skegness Congress (a story for another day perhaps)!

I quickly heard and saw for myself how this quite unassuming gentlemen was clearly a wizard (as far as I was concerned) when it came to the chess board, possessing powers that I could only ever hope in my dreams to obtain (and never did). At a congress in Harrogate in the pub (where else) after the days play had finished, I sat in awe listening to his and other assembled players (Colin Crouch the one I recall the most) sitting and laughing as they retold and remembered the various stories they had gathered over the years. These ranged from a cheating world champion adding time to his clock (who had forgotten Roelof and others were stood watching on the opposite side of a one way glass wall) to how he himself had drawn with the one and only Bobby Fischer – he would show me the game at a later time one evening down at the club, I listened in awe as he revealed they had played at the Montreal Chess Club (for me it sounded like a dream place to play chess) but my face must have been a picture when he casually told me the  magical Bobby was not yet a teenager when he drew with the great Roelof Westra!

Listening to those same stories (and more) down at the “Welly” over the next few years was a memorable time of my life and the one moment I most recall and therefore will share was the day Roelof revealed he had been in the Dutch Commandoes, much to some people’s (including my) surprise, who knew the Dutch even had commandoes, not me for sure!. The story centred on how he revealed they had been trained to avoid being poked in the eyes by Japanese soldiers, to which John Bycroft (another sadly also no longer with us) persuaded him to demonstrate. Roelof was ready, crowd of chess players sat and watched with baited breathe, as John attempted to poke Roelof in the eyes. The beer that had flowed had of course rendered all of us (perhaps apart from John) with the inability to remember that the height of the average Japanese soldier was likely incredibly shorter than the height of one quite tall John Bycroft. What happened next can only best summed up by what Roelof said next, as John’s equally proportioned long fingers poked Roelof, despite his expert defence, in both eyes – “you have fxxxing blinded me” he cried out – the trigger for the assembled crowd to burst into uncontrollable laughter, as did the great man himself.

Truly happy days and why I have no doubt John already had the board set up and ready (with perhaps the first drink lined up too) in readiness for Roelof’s arrival.

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Graham Chesters 

This is very, very sad news. Roelof is a legend and will remain so. 

 

He and I had some great struggles over the board, levelling out over the years. What was characteristic of him was a classical clarity of thinking, a Capablanca-type approach which meant that, once an advantage was gained (either material or positional), there was little chance of escape. Similarly, if he was at a disadvantage, you didn’t expect outrageous swindles. He was a pure chess player.

 

He was also - more importantly - a warm, generous and sociable human being who always put people before chess. He was the first player I played in 1972 when I came to Hull. We had a respectful draw. But his welcome was unforgettable. 

 

His achievements within the Yorkshire League during Hull’s glory years and at national level in senior championships make clear that he was not just a local star. 

 

I’m sorry to hear about Duko. And, if you get chance, please give him my best wishes and those of Tim who has very, very fond memories of both brothers.

 

I don’t claim to speak for all HDCA members but, as President, I would want to express the Association’s deepest condolences to Roelof’s wider family and particularly to our friend, Duko.

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Eric Gardiner

I was unfortunate to only know Roelof in his later years, having first met him when I returned to chess in 2000 after an eight year break. Although nearly 70 at the time, he was still a formidable opponent and outplayed me in countless blitz, rapid play and standard play games over the next few years. On the rare occasions I won, he was very gracious and complimentary. As he’d asked me to play for the Hull C team which he captained at the time, I also got many opportunities to analyse with him. Despite our age and ability gap, he was never patronising. I remember a kind, generous and friendly man who always wanted me to do well at congresses. He would buy drinks and (in the first years when I knew him) give lifts. Occasionally, his generosity extended to the chessboard and I was offered a draw when he had a winning position. This might well have been because he wanted to get to the bar! It was fascinating to hear his chess anecdotes about all the famous players he had played. I will treasure both my games and my conversations with Roelof. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say he was a legend.

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Steve Thrower 

A sad loss and will be missed

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Eric Fisher

So sad to hear that Mr. Hull Chess Club has passed away.  Roelof, such an ambassador, so many congresses, so many Woodhouse Cups. So many people will have fond memories of him. What a man!

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Phil Bawden

I am really sad to hear this news.  Roelof was a legend and truly one of a kind. Memories and thoughts of him will only ever be good ones.

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Shaun Moody

I am so sorry to hear the news.  I remember Friday nights at the Wellington when we played at YPI. He would always play any new members, me included. If you get the chance to please give my condolences to Duko

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Jeff Goldberg

Very saddened to here of Roelof's death.  Roelof was an easy-going character in real life, but at the board he would put on his glasses, his demeanour would change into one of a professional-like authority. And when the game was over he would change back again. "We'll go over the poob now, is it." 🙂   He was someone it was a true pleasure to know - farewell to the New Morphy.

 

Bruce Oliver

The chess world has lost an icon. RIP Roelof

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Charlie Storey

RIP Roelof. A lovely Chess Guy

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