Addison, William (1933- )

Considered the best Go player among chess masters. He was born in Baton Rouge, came to San Francisco in the 1950s, and was the area’s strongest player for 20 years. He became an International Master in 1967. In 1969, he took 2nd place in the 20th US Chess Championship (1/2 point behind Reshevsky and ahead of Benko, Lombardy, etc.) and qualified to play in the Interzonal. He competed in the 1970 Interzonal in Palma de Mallorca, taking 18th place, then gave up chess to work for the Bank of America in San Francisco. He played in five U.S. championships. His highest rating was 2595.

Where ever the hell you are I wish all the best to you! :-)

Re: Player of the Day - William G. Addision

Your old friend, - Mal
Berkeley, CA

PS: Bill's an old friend and was instrumental in allowing me to see just a few of the many 'secrets of chess' that I'd never seen before back in the old days when he was the Director of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club in San Francisco, California (circa late 60's & 70's).

Bill was an old friend and quite instrumental as my mentor having learning just a few of the many secrets of chess from him. When I was sick he came to visit me in the hospital as a teenager. The info posted by <WannaBe> is quite correct. The link however is no longer valid.

A fond remembrance by IM John Donaldson written on November 11th for the USCF:

William Addison, 1933-2008 // http://main.uschess.org/content/vie...

Here is a beautiful drawing that I saved of Bill... // http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

It's quite reminiscent of Bill and I can even see his feet pumping up and down below the chess table (a trademark of his which I also adopted).

I'll always remember what he taught me, his cheerful smile and all the colorful and entertaining chess stories & anecdotes that he would tell us both from his International and American Chess adventures... :)

R.I.P. my friend...

Sincerely, Alan Benson
(aka: Malthrope)
Berkeley, CA

William Addison, 1933-2008 // http://main.uschess.org/content/vie...

You are dealing with people who actually knew this man as a friend. The chess game that you are referring too - Fischer vs W G Addison, 1970 - was played at the 'Palma de Mallorca' Interzonal in Spain, 1970. This was Bill's last chess tournament and so far as we know he never played competitive chess ever again. May I also suggest that you read my reply back to <Eyal> in my - malthrope chessforum - where I discuss this very fact. :)

First, I never saw or heard of Bill playing any kind of chess game after he returned from the 'Palma de Mallorca' Interzonal in Spain, 1970 - rated, offhand or otherwise. Second, in the Chess Olympics, Bill played in 2 of them as a participant for the USA team in Tel Aviv 1964 and Havana 1966 (Note: Not 'Leipzig 1970' as I first reported from memory in my response back to <Eyal>).

Today has not been a particularly good day for me... :( Sincerely, - Mal

PS: <whiskeyrebel> - you're quite welcome! :)

You're welcome <AnalyzeThis> ! :)

Thought to share one last reminisce coming directly from Bill... On select Sunday afternoons when he was the acting Director of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club (late 60's) all the talented Juniors would gather along with Bill and analyze the latest GM games with him. This was a very rewarding experience for us as we could see into his mind and how he thinks about chess as well as how he goes about constructing his master plans. Of which we all tried to emulate, of course! ;)

One day we were analyzing a chess game of Petrosian's in which he was attacking. <Go Tiger!> Bill told us (and I quote verbatim):

<"Petrosian making threats is like facing cream puffs at twenty paces!">

I'll never forget that one. <grin> The more you think about it the deeper it is! ~lol~

<Life goes by too fast.>