Stefano Tatai RIP

12-time Champion of Italy

23 March 1938 – 29 May 2017

One of the few true ‘gentleman’ players in the world of chess, IM Stefano Tatai passed away in Tenerife on the 29th of May at age 79.  He had been rumoured ill for some time, but even so his passing caught those close to him by surprise.

Tatai was born in Rome and quickly became one of the country’s top players. Between 1962 and 1994 he won the Italian Championship not less than 12 times. Tatai also represented Italy at the Olympiad 9 times. He won the IM title in 1966 and no one has been able to explain why he never achieved the GM title, having played successfully against many of the top players in the world.

 

 

 

Tatai decided to make Tenerife his home towards the end of the 20th century, where he also collected a number of important titles. My condolences to his family.