Tributes after Shropshire chess player, 88, dies on way home from match
Tributes have been paid to a Shropshire chess player who died on the way home from a league match.
Alan Wright, 88, died in the back of a car he was travelling in with teammates from Ludlow Chess Club on the way back from an away match at Oswestry.
Despite the best efforts of club secretary Richard Croot who attempted to resuscitate him, Mr Wright could not be revived.
Mr Wright had earlier won his game in his team's 4-1 Shropshire Chess League division one defeat – the first game he had played for more than a year.
Ludlow captain Paul Munday said the team had withdrawn from the league for the rest of the season as a mark of respect.
Mr Wright's teammates have described him as a "gentleman", while his son-in-law Paul Bolton said Mr Wright had been delighted to win his final match of a game he got "tremendous pleasure" from playing.
Mr Bolton said: "We are grateful to Richard Croot for the attempts that he made to resuscitate Alan and for the care that was shown to him in his final moments.
"Alan got tremendous pleasure from playing chess. He was also a member of Birmingham Chess Club and enjoyed the companionship."
Mr Munday said: "Alan was a valued member of the club for some 15 years, always ready to play if needed and also provide transport to matches."
