Who is/was Charles Alberqueque?

[neilwenberg]

I found a picture of an American Airman named Charles Alberqueque playing a checker match with a British subject named Bill Edwards. It said the match was held at Cardiff YMCA in early 1950s. Edwards won the match with 4 wins, 1 loss and 15 draws! Who is/ was Charles Alberqueque? Help me with information, please.

[liam stephens]

There is an account of the match in the British Draughts Journal No.13, March – April 1954.
This read as follows:

Severnside.

The subscription match between the Welsh champion W. Edwards and C. Albuquerque of the U.S.A. Air Force ended in a win for the former by 4-6-2.
The American lost three of the first five games, but won the sixth and the eight, and then ignoring an easy draw,
made a desperate effort to win the twelfth and paid the usual penalty.
A second match between the loser and Mr. A. H. Russell of Bristol was then arranged, and in this Mr. Albuquerque was successful, winning 5-4-3.

I believe he also played a match against Jack Latham of London, but I do not have the details.

He played in the 1953 English Championship at Southend-on-Sea and in the 1954 British Championship at Whitley Bay.

Presumably, at that time, he was on an overseas tour of duty to Great Britain.

Liam Stephens.

[tgf]

There are only two BDJ issues in the OCL library, one in 1952 and the other in 1955.

[liam stephens]

Today I received the following message from Lindus Edwards.

Subject: Re: Albuquerque


Hi Liam,

Many thanks for informing me about the post of the ACF Forum. Unfortunately I cannot reply as I lost my password when my PC crashed a few months ago.
I requested a new password months ago, writing to Jason Solan several times by email, only to receive no reply!

What I do know about the match is that my father beat Charles by 4 wins to 1 with 15 draws.
I also received information from the late Dick Fortman that Charles was killed in the air whilst serving his country.
I am unsure of the date or location of his death. Charles was a pilot in the US air force.

The match was played at Cardiff YMCA in the early 1950's. A photograph showing my father and Charles can be seen at my photo site,
a link of which is given in the sharing posts at the ACF Forum site.

If you can make this information known to Neil I would appreciate it.

Regards, Lindus.

[neilwenberg]

Thanks to those who furnished information! I an wondering if Alberqueque made his mark in any ACF sponsored tournaments? Can anyone help with this?

[john reade]

I don't think you have his name spelt right.

[chipschap]

One would think it might be "Albuquerque" --- the same as the city in New Mexico. But of course I don't know that for sure.

I read Lindus' report from Dick Fortman that Mr. A. passed away while in service. However, the name Charles Albuquerque, if indeed that's what it is, is rather rare. I located one American with this name, Charles S. Albuquerque, an 86-year old in Charlotte, N.C. This gentleman would be about the right age but admittedly it's a rather long shot, and the report of the original Mr. A's death would have to have been in error.

[neilwenberg]

Bob, I think I have the spelling right. I am curious that he does not appear at ACF checker tournaments of his era and wonder if he is challenging British masters why he did not play tournament checkers in USA. Picture of him on site as a studious player is interesting.

[liam stephens]

I found the games he played against J. Latham and the name given in the score record is Charles S. Albuquerque.
So, there is food for thought.

I am in the process of typing up the games of the match v Latham.
Anyone, not on my mailing list, wanting a copy of these games , please send me your email address.

Liam Stephens.

[chipschap]

I have written to Charles S. Albuquerque of Charlotte N.C. asking if he is "our man." If I hear anything I'll post here.

[jimloy]

Seems to be "Albuquerque" and I think there are mail games in Elam's Checker Board. There is one game in Basic Checkers, opening 12-16 22-17 16-19, note G, Albuquerque - Freyer. And there are two games in Tribble's Octopus.