Augusto Dias died suddenly on thursday.  It is a sad loss for all of Portuguese chess.  Founding member and president of  the Grupo de Xadrez Peões de Alverca , aged 79 (born January 31,1935)  Augusto was about as passionate about chess as anyone could be.  On the 12th of this week (Monday) he participated in the first round of the Torneio Xeque MateMática and was in his usual high spirits, motivating his club mates.  I played Augusto several times at rapid tournaments in Portugal over the years–as did my wife Aida and brother in law Antonio– and he was always a perfect gentleman!  My condolences to Augusto’s family and friends.

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Augusto enjoying himself at the club’s X-mas party last year

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Dias tactic!

Silva,Avelino

Dias,Augusto

From  Torneio GDCarris-IICircuito Lisboa 2004.10.8.  Position after 33 moves. Black seems to have everything under control and is even a pawn up!  But appearances can be deceiving…

WHITE TO PLAY AND WIN!

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Torneio GDCarris-IICircuito Lisboa 2004.10.8.   Dias, Augusto–Silva, Avelino:  34.Qxa7+!! Rxa7 35.Rxd8+ Kb7 36.Nd6+ Kc7 37.Rc8+! Kxd6 38.Rxc4 and the rest is easy.  Black resigned 6 moves later.