13 Facts About Cecil Purdy

Cecil Purdy was awarded the International Master title in 1951 and the Grandmaster of Correspondence Chess title in 1959.

Cecil Purdy was an influential chess magazine writer, editor, and publisher.

Purdy was born in Port Said, Egypt, where his father John Smith Purdy was stationed as a doctor in the Quarantine Service.

When he was a child, Cecil Purdy moved with his family to New Zealand, and then to Tasmania, Australia, before they settled in Sydney when he was 12, where he was educated at Cranbrook School.

Cecil Purdy soon decided to become a full-time chess writer and player.

Cecil Purdy was a four-time winner of the Australian Chess Championship, in 1935,1937,1949, and 1951.

Cecil Purdy won the first two Australian Correspondence Chess Championships, in 1938 and 1945; and the inaugural World Correspondence Chess Championship in 1953.

Cecil Purdy founded and edited the magazine Australasian Chess Review, which became Check, and finally Chess World.

Cecil Purdy was described by Bobby Fischer as being a great chess instructor.

Cecil Purdy was married in 1934 to Anne Crakanthorp, the daughter of two-time Australian Chess Champion Spencer Crakanthorp.

John Cecil Purdy followed in his father's footsteps in winning the Australian Chess Championship in 1955 and 1963.

On 6 November 1979, Cecil Purdy collapsed while playing chess at a tournament at the Chess Centre of New South Wales and died later that day in the Sydney Hospital.

Cecil Purdy was survived by his wife, daughter and son John, who twice won the Australian Chess Championship.