chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing

Cecil Purdy
C Purdy 
 
Number of games in database: 159
Years covered: 1924 to 1979
Overall record: +77 -50 =32 (58.5%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games.

Repertoire Explorer
Most played openings
A07 King's Indian Attack (5 games)
E43 Nimzo-Indian, Fischer Variation (4 games)
B01 Scandinavian (4 games)
A00 Uncommon Opening (3 games)
C97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin (3 games)
E34 Nimzo-Indian, Classical, Noa Variation (3 games)
D30 Queen's Gambit Declined (3 games)
C91 Ruy Lopez, Closed (3 games)
D37 Queen's Gambit Declined (3 games)
A28 English (3 games)


Search Sacrifice Explorer for Cecil Purdy
Search Google for Cecil Purdy


CECIL PURDY
(born Mar-27-1906, died Nov-06-1979, 73 years old) Australia

[what is this?]

Cecil John Seddon Purdy was born in Port Said, Egypt.

His father was Dr. J. S. Purdy, England's representative on the International Quarantine Board for the Suez Canal. Hobart was his first Australian home and at the age of nine he went to Sydney where he has lived thereafter. He did not take up chess until he was nearly 15 years of age. During a rainy school holiday in the country he looked up "Chess" in the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." He copied out the rules carefully and after returning home started to pursue his new hobby.1

Other accounts stated he was 13 when he took up chess: "He was 13 when he began chess. He received useful instruction from from Mr. L. S. Crakanthorp father of Mr. Spencer Crakanthorp, ex-champion of New South Wales and New Zealand, and present champion of Australia. Only a year after Mr. Purdy learned the moves he was encouraged by the late A.E.N. Wallace, then Suite champion to enter for the State tourney of 1923." 2

Awarded the IM title in 1951 and the GMC title in 1953 he won the 1st Correspondence World Championship (1950) - (1953). He won the New Zealand Championship twice, 1924-25 and 1935-36 and was Australian Champion on four occasions, 1934-35, 1936-37 (after a play-off), 1948-49 and 1951. He was also Australian Correspondence Champion in 1940 and 1948.

In 1952, Purdy played the New Zealand Champion Ortvin Sarapu in a 10-game match for the Sarapu - Purdy Australasian Championship (1952). After nine games, the score was 5-4 in Sarapu's favour. Purdy won the 10th and final game to tie the match (+4, =2, -4).

He was the founder, editor, and publisher of a splendid chess magazine from 1929 to 1967 which went through three incarnations, 'Australasian Chess Review' (1929 - 1944), 'Check' (1944 - 1945) and 'Chess World' (1946 - 1967) and his writings are considered first class.

His father-in-law Spencer Crakanthorp and his son John Spencer Purdy have both been Australian Champions. He was married to Anne Purdy.

Sadly whilst playing at a tournament in Sydney in 1979 he suffered an aneurysm leading to his death. His last words to his son (who was also competing in the same tournament) were allegedly "I have a win, but it will take time".

1. "The West Australian" (Perth), Monday 13th July 1953, p.16

2. "Evening News" (Sydney, NSW), Friday 15th November 1929, p.2

Wikipedia article: Cecil Purdy

Last updated: 2023-07-07 11:56:07

 page 1 of 7; games 1-25 of 159  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. C Purdy vs G Dodds 1-0371924NZL-chD33 Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch
2. C Purdy vs A Burr ½-½251926NSW versus Victoria correspondence matchC65 Ruy Lopez, Berlin Defense
3. J Sayers vs C Purdy 0-1551926AUS-chC13 French
4. C Purdy vs B Hill 1-0591926AUS-chD37 Queen's Gambit Declined
5. S Crakanthorp vs C Purdy 1-0261926AUS-chC14 French, Classical
6. C Boyce vs C Purdy 1-0381926AUS-chC13 French
7. C Purdy vs S Woinarski 0-1351927Pietzcker tourneyC58 Two Knights
8. C Purdy vs J Kinman 1-0361928AUS-ch+D30 Queen's Gambit Declined
9. M E Goldstein vs C Purdy 1-0231931NSW-chD02 Queen's Pawn Game
10. F Crowl vs C Purdy  0-1681932corrA00 Uncommon Opening
11. G Koshnitsky vs C Purdy  1-0391932SydneyD04 Queen's Pawn Game
12. G Koshnitsky vs C Purdy 1-0221932SydneyD04 Queen's Pawn Game
13. C Purdy vs G Koshnitsky 0-1471932SydneyA13 English
14. G Koshnitsky vs C Purdy  1-0361934Practice mA25 English
15. C Purdy vs G Koshnitsky 1-0451934Practice mD51 Queen's Gambit Declined
16. C Purdy vs F Crowl 1-0461934corrE32 Nimzo-Indian, Classical
17. G R Lamparter vs C Purdy 0-1441934AUS-ch 1934/35A00 Uncommon Opening
18. M E Goldstein vs C Purdy 0-1261935AUS-chD39 Queen's Gambit Declined, Ragozin, Vienna Variation
19. S Crakanthorp vs C Purdy  1-0381935Sydney InvitationalA45 Queen's Pawn Game
20. C Purdy vs H Klass  1-0331935Sydney InvitationalE34 Nimzo-Indian, Classical, Noa Variation
21. W J Greenfield vs C Purdy  0-1241935Sydney InvitationalB21 Sicilian, 2.f4 and 2.d4
22. C Purdy vs W H Joyce 1-0291936Blindfold simul, 6bE00 Queen's Pawn Game
23. C Purdy vs G McIntosh 0-1221936Correspondence GameD17 Queen's Gambit Declined Slav
24. L Steiner vs C Purdy  1-0431936Simultaneous clock exhibitionB60 Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer
25. F Crowl vs C Purdy 0-1111936corrC33 King's Gambit Accepted
 page 1 of 7; games 1-25 of 159  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Purdy wins | Purdy loses  
 

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 4 ·  Later Kibitzing>
May-11-15  TheFocus: <Any material change in a position must come about by mate, a capture, or a Pawn – promotion> - Cecil Purdy
May-11-15  TheFocus: <Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf> - Cecil Purdy.
May-15-15  TheFocus: <I maintain that in every position that arises, we should deliberately search, among other things, for pieces which have no retreat. If we see one, we automatically look to see if it can be netted> - C.J.S. Purdy.
May-16-15  TheFocus: <Methodical thinking is of more use in chess than inspiration> - Cecil Purdey.
May-16-15  TheFocus: <If the student forces himself to examine all the moves that smite, however absurd they look at first glance, he is on his way to becoming a master of tactics> - Cecil Purdy.
May-21-15  TheFocus: <An open game can never be forced upon you, whether you are Black or White; a close game always can> - Cecil Purdy, Chess World.
May-21-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  diceman: His wife was Purdy!
May-22-15  TheFocus: <Chess players may be divided into three classes: those who don’t know the principles, and are therefore very weak; those who know the principles and are less weak; and those who know how weak the principles are, and are strong> - C. J. S. Purdy.
May-26-15  TheFocus: <You will never avoid oversights by grim determination; what is needed is a trained eye> - Cecil Purdy.
May-26-15  TheFocus: <It is even more important to look around than to look ahead> - Cecil Purdy.
May-28-15  TheFocus: <Examine moves that smite! A good eye for smites is far more important than a knowledge of strategical principles> - Cecil Purdy.
May-29-15  TheFocus: <If the student forces himself to examine all moves that smite, however absurd they may look at first glance, he is on the way to becoming a master of tactics> - Cecil Purdy.
May-30-15  TheFocus: <Methodical thinking is of more use in Chess than inspiration> - Cecil Purdy.
Nov-03-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: Chess Note 9571, Purdy and Fischer, reveals that by the 1970s Cecil John Seddon Purdy had taken to wearing a brobdingnagian syrup which can be seen in all its glimmering, sentient glory in this picture: http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/....

The gigantic postiche had a rating of 2120.

Mar-27-16  TheFocus: Happy birthday, CJS Purdy.

One of chess's greatest writers.

Oct-06-16
Premium Chessgames Member
  Gottschalk: "In endings with bishops of opposite color, material means NOTHING, position EVERYTHING." Purdy

This phrase contains a terrible logic
She reminds me of Hitler speaking to not back down on the Russian front, despite the equipment failure. This is of course a endgame concept. Someone who make this their motto in his life or in their chess games he should not be considered mad or stubborn. Rather, it is an idiot who never will gain success as chessplayer.

Oct-06-16  JimNorCal: From 2013:
JimNorCal: ... he said something like: "If you can't find a move, then at least find a way to make your least valuable piece more active."

IndigoViolet: Does he give any advice on figuring out what one's least valuable/most inactive piece might be?

Yes. Purdy's books, imho, have enormous value for beginners because they are so practical and contain numerous concrete examples. One is left feeling that, while you may never rise to a level where you can take on the top players, you can certainly achieve a level where you need feel no shame for your play.

Jun-25-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  MissScarlett: <Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf.>

In other words, much harder than they look. Ask Nakamura.

Jun-25-21  Dionysius1: Wot, he plays golf?
Jun-25-21  Dionysius1: Is this a Murcan thing, wishing people happy BIRTHday, when they're dead? I didn't think they were known for their sense of irony, but where else can such rot come from?
Jun-25-21  Dionysius1: Is this a Murcan thing, wishing people happy BIRTHday, when they're dead? I didn't think the western colonies were known for their sense of irony, but where else can such rot come from?
Jun-26-21  Dionysius1: Sorry guys, that was a bit rude. I'll delete it if I get an opportunity when the site settles down after its refurbishment.
Jun-26-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  jessicafischerqueen:

<Dionysius1>

When we post a kibbutz, it stays alive for 30 minutes.

If we haven't deleted it after 30 minutes, it stays up forever.

Jun-26-21  Dionysius1: Thanks Jfq. Oh well.
Nov-20-22  optimal play: <<<<<<CHESS CHAMPION.>

PURDY DEFEATS GOLDSTEIN.>

Exciting Final Game.>

(BY OUR SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE.)>

ADELAIDE, Sunday. — By defeating Goldstein (Victoria) in the sixth game of the Australian championship chess match, Purdy (N.S.W.) scored his third win. He thus wins the match and retains the title. His score was three wins to one, with two games drawn.

The final game was exciting. Goldstein, having failed with an orthodox defence to the Queen's Gambit, chose the double-edged Indian Defence, developing his king's bishop in fianchetto.

Purdy coped with it in simple straightforward style, occupying only three minutes over his first ten moves, while Goldstein took forty minutes for his.

Goldstein complicated the game as his only chance of saving an inferior position.

Purdy, with time to spare, then took forty minutes over one move. It brought him a decisive advantage.

He won three pawns, but Goldstein, resourceful as usual, worked up a dangerous mating net round Purdy's king by exchanging his queen for two rooks.

Purdy's queen was strangely powerless.

He became very short of time, but at the last minute found a way out, and forced a win with his extra material.

The advantage of the first move was a big factor in this contest.

After the first two games, in which each player won once with black pieces, Purdy won both his games with white pieces and just managed to draw both his games with black.

The grimly determined defence in these games saved him from imminent defeat, and when he had the white pieces he pressed home his advantages forcefully except in the second game, in which Goldstein's ingenuity turned the tables.

Complete scores in the series of matches which arose from a quadruple tie in the tournament at Perth have been as follow; —

Goldstein (V.) d. Hastings (N.S.W.) by three wins to nil, with two games drawn.

Purdy (N.S.W.) d. Koshnitsky (N.S.W.) by four wins to one, with nine games drawn.

Purdy is the only player besides the late Spencer Crakanthorp to win a Commonwealth championship since it became a biennial event.>

Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Monday 28 June 1937, page 9>

[Event "Australian Championship playoff 3"]
[Site "Adelaide, Australia"]
[Date "1937.06.27"]
[EventDate "1937.06.17"]
[Round "6"]
[Result "1-0"]
[White "Cecil Purdy"]
[Black "Maurice Edward Goldstein"]
[ECO "E67"]
[WhiteElo "?"]
[BlackElo "?"]
[Source "http://www.ozbase.com.au/games.html"]

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. Nc3 d6 6. Nf3 Nbd7 7. O-O e5 8. Qc2 c6 9. Rd1 Qc7 10. b3 Re8 11. Ba3 e4 12. Ne1 e3 13. f3 Nf8 14. Qc1 Bf5 15. g4 Bc8 16. g5 Nh5 17. Ne4 Bf5 18. Bxd6 Qd7 19. Bxf8 Kxf8 20. Qxe3 Rad8 21. Nc2 Bxe4 22. fxe4 c5 23. dxc5 Qxd1+ 24. Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25. Kf2 Be5 26. c6 bxc6 27. Qc5+ Kg7 28. Qxc6 Re6 29. Qb7 Nf4 30. Bf3 Rc1 31. Nb4 Nh3+ 32. Kg2 Nf4+ 33. Kf2 Nh3+ 34. Ke3 Rb6 35. Qe7 Bf4+ 36. Kd3 Rxb4 37. e3 Rbxc4 38. bxc4 Bxg5 39. Qxa7 Bf6 40. e5 Bxe5 41. Bd5 Bxh2 42. Qxf7+ Kh6 43. Qf8+ Kg5 44. Qe7+ Kg4 45. Qe4+ Kh5 46. Qg2 1-0

submitted for uploading to database

Jump to page #    (enter # from 1 to 4)
search thread:   
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 4 OF 4 ·  Later Kibitzing>

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific player only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

Spot an error? Please suggest your correction and help us eliminate database mistakes!
Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2023, Chessgames Services LLC