The Barbados Chess Federation Inc

8th May - 31st May, 2004 (11 Rounds) Anthony Earlam

Tony Earlam learnt to play chess at Manchester Grammar School in the north-west of England where he was born.  He continued to play at Leeds University, but only made the second team.  In 1959, Tony came to Barbados on a three-year contract to teach science at the Combermere School under Major Noott.   Once a week, he joined in with the few chess players on the island who used to meet at the YMCA under the guidance of Mr. Gilkes who was easily the best player.   Six months before returning to England, he married the Headmaster’s Secretary, Daphne (nee Clarke).

After teaching in Nigeria and becoming a Computer Programmer in England, Tony worked as a System’s Analyst for 24 years in Belgium, where he used to play chess in the local league.

Having kept his wife away from her home for 35 years, Tony and Daphne retired in 1996 to spend the next 35 years in Barbados.  He has been amongst the top 25 rated players in Barbados for several years and qualified for the “Nationals” for the first time in 2003 and then again in 2004.