Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Max Fuller (1945-2013)

More sad new for Australian chess, with the passing of Max Fuller yesterday. He had been in poor health recently, and had collapsed on the morning of Peter Parr's funeral. He was taken to hospital but his condition gradually worsened and he passed away on the evening of the 27th.
Max was born in Sydney in 1945, and won the Australian Junior Championship in 1963. He was a member of Australia's first Olympiad team (in 1964) and played 9 Olympiads in total. He also captained the 1986 Olympiad team. As a player he was probably Australia's first 'travelling' professional. He spent a lot of time in the UK and Europe, and finished second in the British Championship on 2 occasions. He was Australian Champion in 1972, and won 3 Australian Open's in the 1970's. He finished 1st in the Doeberl Cup 7 times, winning 3 on tie-break.
Towards the end of his playing career he finished second in the 2004 NSW Championship, and tied for 1st in the 2005 Championship. As his health worsened his playing career wound down, but still attended a number of events as a spectator.

Fuller,Maxwell Leonard (2365) - Biyiasas,Peter (2420) [B04]
Nice ol (Men) prel Nice (2), 1974

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Is it possible to post a recent photo of Max?
Thanks

Anonymous said...

I'd prefer a photo of him in his prime.

Anonymous said...

A recent photo would be better. His health over the last few years was very poor.

I still remember him vividly from the 1970s on his frequent sojourns to the Doeberl, when he would sit in a crowd of kibitzers analysing innovations to openings like the Dragon.

R.I.P Max Fuller.

Anonymous said...

White's last move doesn't look right, black can play Kg8. Instead Qxf7: if Rg8, Bh6; or B moves, Qf6 mate quickly.
AO

Mark Jordan said...

Just name-checked him in an article I wrote the other day. I knew Max from Charlton Chess Club in London. Lovely guy and a great player.