BACKGROUND

BOB ROSS

The late R. P. (Bob) Ross was an outstanding personality in Hull chess for very many years.

He was several times Champion of Hull Chess Club and the Hull Y.P.I. Chess Club. In his younger days he was also a 2 handicap golfer who represented Yorkshire. In fact, he had the distinction of being a Yorkshire County player at both golf and chess at the same time.

Bob was very keen on encouraging Junior players and was always ready to help with their transport to Congresses in various parts of the country. He also took part in the BCF Championships and the Hastings tournaments over many years.
It was during his Presidency that the Fisher-Spassky World Championship took place in Rekjavik in 1972. This match with all its' verbal brawling really brought chess into world wide prominence and was responsible for a huge increase in players entering the game for the first time. HDCA saw the number of teams in the league increase dramatically and over the next few years there were six divisions of 8 teams. Also, during this time the Hull Congress regularly attracted 150 - 200 players at the Hull City Hall.

Bob was connected with the Ross Fish Group and was also a Director of Carmichaels, the Hull Jewellers.

His name will be remembered in Hull chess circles, particularly since in his will, he bequeathed legacies to local clubs, the HDCA and many individuals. The R.P.Ross Four board League is an example of how keen he was to get more people playing chess.