Dave Hewitt (1961-2025)

It is with great sadness and a sense of shock that the Club has to report the sudden death on 24 November of Dave Hewitt at the age of 64.

Dave has been the heart of Stirling Chess Club for a long time, having joined nearly 30 years ago in 1997 when he moved to the area, previously having been a member of both Battlefield and Cathcart Chess Clubs in Glasgow.

He was a keen player, often employing a sharp sacrifice, and Team captain of the Club’s B and C teams as well as the Stirling Bruce allegro team which he captained to victory in the allegro league. Under his captaincy the C team won the Central League Division 2 on numerous occasions, and the Under 1500 Cup. He also enjoyed playing in weekend congresses and won several first prizes over the years as well as a number of Club tournaments.

Dave's favourite openings

Dave also organised the Thursday night Lichess tournament which has been held every week for 5 years without fail since the summer of 2020.

Aside from his playing career, Dave was an indefatigable Competition Secretary for the Club, organising all the internal club competitions (a task made more complicated recently with the increase in membership following Covid), posting results, making sure that Team captains had enough players (and finding them when teams were short), and importantly welcoming and making new members feel at home. He was encouraging, kind and thoughtful to everyone.

Dave’s ability to marshal statistics and remember results and players was legendary and his emails definitely comprehensive!

In addition to chess Dave was a keen hill walker, having climbed well over 1000 Munros and walking in his beloved Ochils every week.

It will be impossible to replicate Dave’s contribution to the Club and he will be greatly missed, not only at Stirling but in the wider chess community.

Our thoughts go to Tessa his partner and his family.