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We deeply mourn the
loss of our oldest chess friend, T. Y. Stokoe, who died last Friday, June
30th, aged 74 years. He was the first with whom we had any public
chess acquaintance, dating back over forty years. The friendship then
formed has continued uninterrupted till death has severed it. At the
time we first became known to each other, Mr. Stokoe was living in
Gateshead, and was a member of Newcastle chess club, where he very rapidly
improved his chess strength. He greatly favoured correspondence play,
and was often engaged in correspondence contests. About 1870 he came
to Leeds, and was already looked upon as a strong player by the club; and
as he was an active and regular attender he soon rose to the position of a
first-class player, taking part in all the club’s matches, and being
often selected to take the foremost position in the club’s
contests. He had a fair knowledge of draughts also, and his integrity
and uprightness caused him to be placed in the highest positions of
confidence in the draughts assemblies of Leeds. A little while ago he
paid a visit to South Africa, where after playing a few friendly games, he
was much sought after by strong players to engage them in games which
required all their skill. He played as far as his physical strength
would allow, and was accepted by all as a warm friend. He has played
but little over the board since his return from South Africa, but he still
indulged in occasional correspondence play. His few last visits to us
showed a marked change in his physical strength, and he had lately suffered
from a stroke which greatly affected his speech; and he himself believed a
second, though very slight, stroke followed. But he was still the
same sincere friend, and was as cheerful as ever. His collapse was
somewhat sudden, but not unexpected; and possibly the vagaries of a
grandson of late had increased his anxiety and so lessened his
strength. Personally we can only appreciate the extent of our loss by
knowing and confessing there cannot possibly be another in the chess world
to fill his place. (R. I. P.)
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