tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post9081210104143236746..comments2024-03-29T18:31:49.454+11:00Comments on chessexpress: Gus KordaShaun Presshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00897215011002594039noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-8592931139982410892011-03-01T19:46:27.119+11:002011-03-01T19:46:27.119+11:00Rest in piece Gus. He was a nice guy.Rest in piece Gus. He was a nice guy.Leonid Sandlernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-49029296278710952792011-02-25T21:43:46.884+11:002011-02-25T21:43:46.884+11:00I played loads of games against Gus as a junior in...I played loads of games against Gus as a junior in Canberra and he was such a memorable figure in ACT chess.<br /><br />I used to get a bit of a giggle out of his "slightly higher volume level than appropriate for a chess tournament" comments and piece movements at the Canberra Chess Club - I only hope that I can maintain such a passion for chess to that age!<br /><br />My mum used to talk to Gus regularly at tournaments, and saw him out and about in Canberra sometimes. She asked about him recently as he didn't seem too well the last time she saw him. I know she will be very sad to hear this news, as am I.<br /><br />Laura MoylanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-75166368060796581732011-02-23T15:51:15.794+11:002011-02-23T15:51:15.794+11:00I played Gus at the ANU Open one year and won a pi...I played Gus at the ANU Open one year and won a piece but lost the game. Afterwards he berated me at the board, loudly. Not in the mood for a lecture, I responded loudly. This disturbed other players. The DOP, who I think was Shaun, stepped in and told us to take it elsewhere.<br /><br /><br />(Hey Shaun, I can't seem to log in. Ashley Oakes)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-41217432192784924372011-02-23T15:47:38.388+11:002011-02-23T15:47:38.388+11:00As a tournament organiser, I have had to eject Gus...As a tournament organiser, I have had to eject Gus from the odd tournament. He never treated me any differently after these incidents than he did before them. Beneath the gruff exterior, I never found Gus to to be anything but friendly and helpful. We'll miss you, Gus.Paul Dunnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-39573833875963895252011-02-23T15:16:48.110+11:002011-02-23T15:16:48.110+11:00My son Joshua played him last Saturday and said th...My son Joshua played him last Saturday and said that he enjoyed playing him and had a nice chat to him. Gus was one of the players that always put dread in me. I would think I had a good move only for him to shake his head and say - Not so good and inevitably my game would be over shortly after as I lost. I am glad he was able to do something he enjoyed for so long.Charles Bishopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-70194496406095609192011-02-23T13:47:44.379+11:002011-02-23T13:47:44.379+11:00Gus Korda was a leading figure in Canberra chess w...Gus Korda was a leading figure in Canberra chess well before Street Chess was ever heard of. In the 1970s and 80s (and probably the 60s too) he was a regular player at the Canberra Chess Club and one of the strongest and most active players in the Territory. His passion for chess extended to other subjects as well but though sometimes a handful for administrators, not only arbiters, he was a notable figure in the Canberra chess community. He gave up long time control games and regular club play many years ago but it is good to see him remembered by some of the younger people from his involvement in Street Chess.<br /><br />DJDenis Jessopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-48613968415615902312011-02-23T10:04:19.425+11:002011-02-23T10:04:19.425+11:00The passing of Gus Korda was sad news indeed.
I c...The passing of Gus Korda was sad news indeed.<br /><br />I came to know him well from the days he played country/seniors chess.<br /><br />As I understand it, impairment of his eyesight through a motor vehicle accident made him give up tournament play.<br /><br />While he could be forthright at times, I never had any impression of disagreeableness.<br /><br />We had always spoken when seeing each other in Canberra at Easter.<br /><br />Phil VinerPhil Vinernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4459360717297142573.post-11510973963522516782011-02-23T07:17:22.341+11:002011-02-23T07:17:22.341+11:00I'd like to add my thoughts and condolances fo...I'd like to add my thoughts and condolances for Gus' family and friends.<br /><br />The very first time Kayleigh came along to play Street Chess he gave her his time and many encouraging words. As a young, slightly overawed junior player - those words of encouragement were gold.<br /><br />When she began to play regularly at Street Chess, he was an opponent she tried to give her best against. She valued those games and perhaps didn't appreciate the effort required for him to keep playing himself. <br /><br />He met my initial expectation of the classic "grumpy old man" of chess but it didn't take long for me to realise what a great and respected fixture he was, and how much he gave to the regular Street Chess crowd by being there each week.<br /><br />Grotty children come-and-go but it is the player like Gus who can hold the experience of chess together.Libby Smithnoreply@blogger.com