Bill Chesney

It is with great sadness that I inform the chess world of the passing of Bill Chesney at the age of 60 after a prolonged illness.

Bill was a major force in California chess for over 40 years, and was respected by everyone in the chess world. Never a negative word for any chess player, Bill was uncompromising in his pursuit of truth over the board and was feared as a deadly practitioner of mainline theoretical variations involving 1. e4. Bill was a strong Master who reached the Senior Master level at one point in his career and had numerous Grandmaster scalps. Most of all, Bill was always a good friend and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. His great integrity and uncompromising attitude extended also to his personal life. Once, having received a jaywalking ticket after returning to San Jose from the U.S. Army, Bill felt that he was wronged and began a long multi-year battle to fight the ticket. This celebrated battle was documented in the San Jose Mercury-News, and Bill eventually triumphed. He then filed a lawsuit against the San Jose Police and won that battle as well.

Bill's death comes as a great shock and he will be greatly missed! He is survived by his sister, Liz, also from San Jose. Following is one of his many victories over GM-level opposition.

Obituary submitted by Dave Abramson

White: Bill Chesney
Black: Larry Kaufman
U.S. Open 1987 (Sicilian, B33)
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 e5 6. Ndb5 d6 7. Bg5 a6 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Na3 b5 10. Nd5 Be6 11. c3 Rc8 12. Nc2 f5 13. exf5 Bxf5 14. Nce3 Be6 15. Bd3 Qh4 16. O-O Rg8 17. a4 Qg5 18. Qf3 Be7 19. axb5 axb5 20. Bxb5 Bd7 21. Nxe7 Nxe7 22. Bxd7+ Kxd7 23. Qxf7 Rg7 24. Ra7+ Rc7 25. Rxc7+ Kxc7 26. Qe8 Nf5 27. Nd5+ Kb7 28. Qb5+ Kc8 29. Qc6+ Kd8 30. g3 Ne7 31. Qxd6+ Ke8 32. Ra1 Nc8 33. Nc7+ Rxc7 34. Qxc7 Qf5 35. Re1 e4 36. Qc6+ Kf7 37. Qxe4 Resigns

Bill Chesney may you rest in peace.