Ritchie Downie: A Tribute
On behalf of St. John's Chess Club it is with great sadness that the Club has to announce the death of Ritchie Downie on Friday.
He was one of our longest standing members, a loyal, enthusiastic and committed player. He suffered from poor health, which restricted his mobility and participation in recent years, but was playing chess only a week ago. He will be greatly missed. Details of funeral arrangements will follow. Regards Phil Sneesby Secretary St. John's Chess Club |
Personal Remembrances
I met Ritchie for the first time on entering the St John’s Chess Club. His rasping laugh and warm, gregarious nature made me feel immediately at home. We became friends straight away and more so after discovering our shared passion for dogs, football (sadly he was of the Ipswich Town persuasion) and of course chess. Later we found out our names were remarkably similar (Ritchie Downie and Richard Downing) and he would tell me his was the Scottish variation of the family name; I would tell everyone that he was my secret, illegitimate half-brother.
That was about twelve years ago and slowly over the years his rasping cough became worse and worse (he told me his lungs were shot to pieces and had been so for many years) until he had trouble breathing and had to stop every thirty yards or so to collect his breath. Then the ever present canister and inhaler he had to carry around with him. Finally he was almost unable to climb the stairs, and we all knew he didn’t have long to go. You could say that life had dealt him a bum hand in the health department, but he bore it all with a resigned shrug and a stoic outlook on life. We of the chess club would pop round to his flat for a game rather than have him suffer by coming down to the club. He was devoted to chess and our club in particular and I believe it kept him going for perhaps longer than expected. His playing style was aggressive, joyful and attacking and he revelled in his nickname of “The Gunslinger”. I have played him on countless occasions and he remains the only player to have stalemated me not once, but – twice! I still don’t know how he did it – I claimed he coughed all over me. His other love was of course his dog Skye. She really was the archetypical true and faithful companion, and was with him at all times. The devoted pair would come to the old Cathedral club and she would rest in the corner of the room, but with her eyes on Ritchie at all times. He once told me “she adopted me rather than the other way round.” I believed him. And yet still it was a shock when we heard the news of his passing because Ritchie was larger than life and a colourful personality which only slightly masked his gentleness. We already miss him dreadfully. Richard Downing 15/04/2017 |
What I remember most was his boundless confidence as a chess player - "I can beat anyone, even the best. Just give me enough games!"
He was also a talented street artist, I recall him chalking pictures in London Street or Haymarket in Norwich. Phil Sneesby |
I can only echo what Phil said. Ritchie’s endless optimism and enthusiasm that he could beat absolutely anyone!
Crumpton |
On the Friday before his death, I travelled from Norwich to Sheringham with Ritchie and several other St. John’s club members to play at the North Norfolk club. During the return journey, we were discussing the best strategy to adopt when playing significantly stronger opponents. Ritchie told us that playing stronger players had never bothered him – he said that he was happy to take anyone on and “99 times out of 1,000” he would give them a pretty good run for their money. That’s how I’ll remember Ritchie – fearless, outspoken and (sometimes inadvertently) always entertaining.
Rod Mills |
You will know how we at North Norfolk Chess Club are feeling about the loss of Ritchie. He was such a character who we always looked forward to meeting. He played chess and did everything else in such a good spirit. He made competitive chess 'Fun' to play and made others feel good just being in his company.
Ritchie will be very much missed. Peter H. NNCC |
Sorry to hear about Ritchie. I didn't know him very well but played him last year and I know how much he loved the game and what a staunch member he was of your Club. My condolences to you and the club members who have lost a long-standing player and friend.
Trevor. |
That is very sad news indeed, on behalf of the Lowestoft Chess Club I would like to offer condolences to his family and your fine Club.
Leon. |
On behalf of the Norwich Dons Chess Club and its members, may I offer our condolences to you, your club and the friends and family of Ritchie Downie who I have just heard has sadly passed away. Ritchie was always a friendly and welcoming person with a lively sense of humour and someone who you suspected really enjoyed his chess. In short, he was a character and will be sadly missed on the local chess circuit.
Greg Tebble Secretary Norwich Dons Chess Club |
I'm very sorry to hear the sad news about Ritchie, particularly as he was at our club so recently (and I never knew our dogs had the same name)
Alan Page |
I am very sorry to receive this sad news. I was with Ritchie at the Morley Club a week last Friday and we chatted in the bar after the match with Phil, Dennis, Rod, Tom and Alan. It was an enjoyable evening. Ritchie was a great character and we always enjoyed entertaining him at the Morley Club and seeing him at the Coachmakers on away matches. I think he did well in his last few games. No doubt he was a good player before his health problems made playing chess that bit harder.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday when we can raise a glass to Ritchie. All the best…Tony. |