Klaus Pohl. RIP

1.4.1937 – 9.1.2021

A belated death notice from Montreal’s Hugh Brodie. LINK. While Klaus Pohl was born in Dresden (Germany) and spent most of the last 50 years of his life in the US, he did spend some years in Montreal.

When I first got started in chess, Pohl often made an appearance at the Alekhine Chess Club. I remember the club’s director, Artur Langlois, say to me — an impressionable 15 year old beginner at the time —  “Look, there is a chess master!”

Klaus Pohl participated in the 1969 Canadian Chess Championship, held in Montreal. He did not scored very well (just 3.5 points from a large field) but he was held in high regard by all of the participants.

Unfortunately, Klaus was absent from the group photo.  Below are a few examples of the kind of chess that Klaus was capable of:

Pohl,K – Zalys,I
Montreal 30.3.1969
1-0

Pohl,K – Johnston,M
Montreal Open 14.12.1969
1-0

Klaus was very active in chess. Above we can see him receiving an award in 2019 for the top over-80 player!

Reading various accounts on the chess blogs of South and North Carolina, it is very clear that Klaus Pohl was very much respected by one and all. His peak USCF rating was 2396.

Klaus Pohl was active in tournaments almost up to his death. Below we can see Klaus in action in December 2020!

Later this month — on June 26 — there will even be the first Klaus Pohl Memorial in South Carlolina! LINK My sincerest condolences to his wife Ursula and to his daughters Nikki and Barbra.  RIP.  (You can read his obituary HERE.)