William R. Hartston (Cambridge, England) submitted the following from the London Evening News of 5 December 1921: ‘A Chess Prodigy Goes Astray
Counsel Thinks Brain May Have Been Weakened

A child chess prodigy, William Winter, known afterwards to the police as “a Simple Simon among the Communists” appealed today against a six months’ sentence at Bristol for seditious speeches.

He was described as an international chess player and a student of Cambridge University.

Mr H.S. Diamond, on his behalf, said he could not really appeal against the conviction, as there was evidence that he uttered the speeches.

During the war, he said, Winter was in the Honourable Artillery Company, being discharged with a good character. He seemed to have left his studies at Cambridge to air his extreme Socialistic views and join the Communist ranks.

It was said that he was under the influence of a woman older than himself.

While he did not suggest that chessplayers all become weak in the head, he submitted that in this case the man’s brain was weakened. A term of imprisonment might have a severe effect on him.

Mr Justice Branson said no fault could be found with the trial. This young man left his studies and employment to stir up strife among those less fortunate than himself.