Richard McNally writes:

It was very sad news to learn this week of the death of Colin Searle.

Having lived a life of service to Stratford upon Avon Chess Club and Warwickshire County Chess.

Colin joined Stratford Chess Club in the late 1970s and was noted and feared for his aggressive tactically oriented style, being an exponent of such sharp openings such as the Latvian counter-gambit. However, he could also play a strategic game if necessary and regularly scored well with the London System.

Aside from winning the Leamington League Division One title on several occasions, he also played successful games for South Birmingham Chess Club in the Birmingham League.

In later years, Colin wrote a very memorable history of the Leamington League from its earliest days.

Kind and encouraging and with self-effacing humour, he also did a considerable amount of coaching and played regularly online, even into his later years, he still maintained solid strength.

Aside from chess, he was an avid stamp collector, building up a remarkable collection of the stamps of Gibraltar, charting the history of the colony from its earliest days.

He will be greatly missed by all. RIP Colin