Eccles Chess Club first met Jody at the Crown and Anchor in Manchester about a year ago, he was taking part in their weekly chess night run by Aiden Rawlinson. After a few games we thought he was a really good chess player so we invited him to come and join us and play tournament chess for our newly reformed chess club.
We found Jody to be very interesting, clever and held a wicked sense of humour. He was always so optimistic and possessed one of the most fabulous smiles I had ever seen.
As the club grew from strength to strength Jody was winning in matches against other clubs due to his commitment and his love of chess. The Club ended up getting through to three cup finals and being top of three chess leagues, all of which unfortunately had to cancelled due to Covid19.
Jody had a compelling charm about him and inspired the team to play at their best. He was more than just a good chess player: he was a really nice guy.
As time went by, Jody would be invited to nights out: garden parties, soirées and chess nights - not just at the Club but at our homes - sometimes staying overnight and jumping on the train the next day.
Jody was calm, kind, a good listener and would often bamboozle us with his interesting concepts and perspective view of things. He was good company, but most of all, a gentleman.
We at Eccles Chess Club are going to miss Jody playing for the club, not just because we have lost a good chess player, but because we have lost a good friend and mentor - he was like family.
To celebrate Jody's contribution to the Club, we will be holding a 12 hour online chess tournament on 7 May at 11am: 'The Jody Heaton Memorial Chess Tournament.'
If anyone would like to join us and play during Jody's memorial chess match all you need to do is copy the link
https://www.chess.com/club/eccles-chess-club
If you experience any problems logging in please contact Barbara on 07743888585.
God bless you Jody Heaton for bringing so much to our world of chess.
Eccles Chess Club
04/05/2020
