The Management Board were recently informed that Peter Richmond has passed away.
Peter was a very strong chess player and a devoted husband to Jane (Garwell) and devoted father to Hannah.
The Management Board wish to send Peter’s relatives and friends our deepest condolences on their very sad loss.
5 September 1957 – 4 February 2026
It was with great sadness that we learned about the death of Peter Allan Richmond, who passed away on 4 February 2026 at the age of 68.
I have known Peter and his family since the late 1970s, and over that time I always enjoyed his company. He was one of those people whose knowledge extended far beyond chess, and conversations with him were always interesting, thoughtful and enjoyable. He was never shy when it came to sharing his views.
Born in West Bridgford, Nottingham, on 5 September 1957, Peter played chess for many years in Nottingham, Pontypool and Swindon, as well as being a regular member of a number of Welsh 4NCL teams, including my own. In Welsh chess he was known as a strong and respected player, representing Wales at the 1992 Chess Olympiad in Manila and competed with distinction in the Welsh Championships and many other events over the years. He was one of the leading players in Wales in his era and was capable of beating the very best British players. As an example, he has beaten GMs Gawain Jones and Matthew Turner, both with the black pieces. He reached a peak FIDE rating of 2284.
Those who knew him will remember more than his results. He was generous with his time, loved teaching chess, and in later years, despite declining vision, continued to give back to the game, including through his work with junior players. At his local chess club in Swindon, he had been involved there since the very first day and, according to one member, was really running the show.
A nine-times Wiltshire champion and former professional coach whose clients have included 11 national champions, Peter made his debut for the Nottinghamshire County first team aged 14, in 1971.
He was a committed teacher and advocate of the game. According to a club member, everybody who came to the Community Chess Club was welcome to seek his advice, and he was more than happy to sit with players and guide them through their entire games should they wish.
Above all, Peter was a loyal, kind and caring husband to Jane, a loving father to Hannah, and a proud grandfather to Alys and Lili. Indeed, he was happy to be known as the ‘husband of Jane!’ He is greatly missed by his family and by the many people in the chess community who had the pleasure of knowing him.
On behalf of the Welsh Chess Union Management Board, I extend sincere condolences to Jane, Hannah and all Peter’s family and friends.
Below is a game of Peter’s where he beat future IM Leighton Williams at the 1996 Welsh Championships.
Williams,Leighton – Richmond,Peter A [D37]
WLS-ch Cardiff (5), 1996
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Bf4 Nf6 5.e3 0-0 6.Nf3 a6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.Bd3 c5 9.h3 Nc6 10.0-0 c4 11.Bc2 b5 12.e4 dxe4 13.Nxe4 Nb4 14.Nxf6+ Bxf6 15.Be4 Ra7 16.d5 Re7 17.Qb1 Rxe4 18.Qxe4 Re8 19.Qb1 Nd3 20.Bg3 Qxd5 21.Qc2 Bxh3 22.gxh3 Qxf3 23.Qd1 Qxd1 24.Raxd1 Bxb2 25.Kg2 f5 26.Kf3 g5 27.Bd6 Kf7 28.Rg1 h6 29.a3 Re4 30.Rd2 Bc3 31.Ra2 Ke6 32.Bb4 Ne1+ 33.Kg3 Be5+ 34.f4 Bxf4+ 35.Kf2 Be3+ 36.Kf1 Bxg1 0-1
Mark Adams: Executive Director, WCU. March 2026