We were all shocked and saddened to hear of the recent death of Dietmar Kolbus at the age of just 58. Dietmar had been playing in Switzerland at the Biel Chess Festival and passed away in his hotel room on 20 July.

I would like to say a few words about Jim McDonald, one of the most popular players on the Manx chess scene who played with distinction in last year's PokerStars Minor. Jim was suddenly taken away from us on 28 April at the age of just 50. It was a great shock and he will be greatly missed by his many friends in the local chess community.
Alan Ormsby