45th Anniversary Paul Keres’ Death
January 11, 1916 – June 5, 1975
The reader needs no introduction to legendary Paul Keres. I have written extensively here on this blog about his games, life and death. Today is the 45th anniversary of Paul Keres untimely death at age 59.
Keres died of a heart attack at Helinski Airport, on his way back home after spending more than one month touring Canada and promoting the game. The above photo shows Keres on April 30 giving a simul at Place Ville Marie in Montreal.
I was in attendence of this simul, though I did not play. There were numerous spectators (naturally) and a local radio program carried the event live.
This was the ONLY time I had ever seen Keres in person, though of course he was one of my childhood heros and I knew most of his games by heart!
“I recognize a young Paul Janicki sitting to the right of Jonathon Schaeffer (exact centre of photo). I would also think that I see Vlad Dobrich standing between the photos of the Queen and Prince Philip, but Vlad should be able to confirm that.
Here are what several readers contributed:
I would guess third from the left I can see Phil Haley, maybe Keith Kerns is next player down, maybe Brett Campbell 2 players down and Andy Dimitri 3 more players down with his face half in a shadow facing Paul Keres. Back row Jonathon Shaeffer in the centre and Martin Davenport to the left.
One of the spectators looks like Jack Black, who was a great pool player and an avid chess fan.” (My Blog)
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