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From: hmb@netcom.com (Hal Bogner)
Subject: Re: Marion Tinsley 1927-1995
Message-ID: <hmbD6o9x5.qv@netcom.com>
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References: <3lqj8i$fc7@scapa.cs.ualberta.ca>
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 1995 16:03:05 GMT
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In article <3lqj8i$fc7@scapa.cs.ualberta.ca> jonathan@cs.ualberta.ca (Jonathan Schaeffer) writes:
>
>Marion Tinsley passed away quietly tonight after battling cancer
>for the past eight months.  As recently as January, he thought he
>had won the hardest battle of his life, but a relapse revealed
>that the cancer had spread.  
>
>Tinsley was the greatest checker player who ever lived and,
>arguably, the most dominant champion in any competitive sport.
>Over the last 45 years of his career he remained undefeated,
>winning every match and tournament he played in.  Over the thousands
>of games played in this period, he lost less than 10.  He was as
>close to perfection as is possible in a human.
>
>As a man, Tinsley was exceedingly kind and loved by everyone.
>He leaves behind many friends.
>
>
>He was a great friend of the Chinook team.  He could have said
>"no" when faced with the prospect of defending his World Championship
>title against a computer.  Instead he accepted the challenge,
>relishing the chance to face some tough opposition.  We are grateful
>for the the opportunity he gave us, and the privilege of playing
>the very best.
>
>We shall deeply miss him.  Rest in peace.
>
>					Jonathan Schaeffer
>					Martin Bryant
>					Robert Lake
>					Paul Lu
>					Norman Treloar

Dear Jonathan,

Thank you for letting us know of Tinsley's passing.  I - and many others - 
have followed the news of your matches with him here in rec.games.chess, and 
have developed lots of respect for him.

Please pass on our condolences.  Truly, an era has ended.

Hal Bogner

