Legendary chess arbiter and organiser Stewart Reuben has passed away, while on a cruise in Jamaica. Born in 1939, Stewart began playing and organising events in the 1950's and was a leading figure in the world of chess for over 60 years. Although he started his working career as an Industrial Chemist, he worked as a school teacher before becoming a chess author and organiser. He served on various FIDE Commissions, either as Chairman or Secretary, and made significant contributions to the authorship of the Laws of Chess.
He was also a talented player, with a peak rating above 2200 (and possibly 2300), as well as earning the Candidate Master title in later years (a title he created as Secretary of the Qualification Commission). One of his proudest playing moments was drawing with Bobby Fischer in a blitz event in 1963. His authorship of "The Chess Organisers Handbook" provided an invaluable resource for many aspiring chess arbiters, including myself.
I first met Stewart at the 2000 Chess Olympiad, and he was always an engaging and entertaining companion. Indeed I earned my FIDE Arbiter title after bumping into him at breakfast during the 2008 Olympiad, when he mentioned he was running a FA course, and invited me to attend. He also encouraged me to put myself forward for the FIDE Rules Commission and we had a very productive working partnership from 2008 to 2014.
He was also a generous host to many chess players visiting London. A number of players were a guest at his flat in London, including myself and my son in 2016. He was also a very successful Poker player writing books on the topic, including his own speciality of Omaha.
He passed away while on a cruise to the Caribbean, something he did regularly in later years. His contribution to the chess world as an arbiter, organiser and author is enormous, and he will be sadly missed.
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