LATE last year we appealed for information on an international chess tournament which was held in Weymouth in 1968.

The Braille Chess Olympiad in Weymouth was the only time the tournament, a contest for blind and partially sighted players, was held in the UK.

Julie Leonard, editor of the Braille Chess Association Gazette, has been in touch after receiving much positive feedback from people with memories of the Olympiad in Weymouth.

She said: "Who would have thought that these echoes would resonate with so many people half a century after the events took place?"

Julie also supplied us with information on the star players who took part in the tournament.

She said: "The UK team was led by the almost legendary Reg Bonham, who was not only a terrific player but also a leading force in BCA and IBCA circles.

"Also in the squad were Geoff Carlin, Jack Horrocks and Harry Booth. All four had previous experience of playing in IBCA Olympiads. Reg, Geoff and Jack would go on to represent the UK at many more such events but sadly, Harry was taken from us far too soon in a tragic accident.

"Another UK player, Hans Cohn, played on board one for the Executive Team, which was made up of IBCA officials in order to even up the number of teams, thus avoiding a bye. Hans passed away earlier this year."

Julie researched John Graham's reports for the Dorset Echo on the tournament and discovered that many of the visiting chess players were entertained with a tour of the Devenish Brewery. They were able to take away a pack of Devenish beer to sample later in the evening.

Austrians, West and East Germans, Americans, Soviets and Finns were among the party, and some of the Russians tried and enjoy their first Coca-Cola! Most of the Bavarians stuck strictly to beer, Graham wrote.

Thanks to Julie for the research.