10 Facts About Harry Golombek

Harold "Harry" Golombek OBE was a British chess player, chess author, and wartime codebreaker.

Harry Golombek was three times British chess champion, in 1947,1949, and 1955 and finished second in 1948.

Harry Golombek was the chess correspondent of the newspaper The Times from 1945 to 1985, after Stuart Milner-Barry.

Harry Golombek was a FIDE official, and served as arbiter for several important events, including the Candidates' Tournament of 1959 in Yugoslavia, and the 1963 World Chess Championship match between Mikhail Botvinnik and Tigran Petrosian.

Harry Golombek edited the game collections of Capablanca and Reti, and was a respected author.

Harry Golombek was editor of British Chess Magazine from 1938 to 1940, and its overseas editor in the 1960s and 1970s.

Harry Golombek was unusual among public figures in replying with care to letters from unknown people, such as young schoolboys, from this address.

Harry Golombek earned the title of International Master in 1950 and was awarded that of Honorary Grandmaster in 1985.

Harry Golombek was the first British player to qualify for an Interzonal tournament.

Harry Golombek was appointed OBE in 1966, the first to be so honoured for services to chess.