Chessical: French Chess Association obituary
Very sad and appalling news reached us on this last day of January: Grand Master Gilles Mirallès died on January 28 at the age of 55. An untimely passing that will leave a void in the world of chess. Gilles had devoted his life to our discipline through multiple activities.
A talented player, he was one of the best players of his decade. After obtaining the title of International Master in 1985, he won his first title of French champion in 1986 at Epinal. This city brought him luck, because three years later he would leave it with his second title of champion of France (1989).
Thereafter, he devoted himself to the development of chess and to its teaching, activities which he continued until his death.
From 1992 to 1996, he held the position of National Technical Director of the FFE FIDE trainer, national referee, he was for a long time the presidency of the Geneva Chess Federation and the director of the Geneva School of Chess. He was also tournament organizer, FIDE lecturer for the "Chess in Schools" Commission and Technical Director of AIDEF.
Despite his many activities, he did not neglect the chessboard. An International Grand Master since 1997, he played for many years for the Monaco club. We would be seen surmounting the podium of La Francophonie with the title of Seniors + Champion in 2017 and then again in 2018.
The French Chess Federation expresses all of its sympathy to his family and loved ones and offers them its most sincere condolences.
Kibitzing
