Sad News - Joan Caws died November 2, 2017

[JR Smith]

Joan Caws died November 2, 2017… I got this email from Richard Beckwith24@msn.com who said he received an email From: Ian Caws <ianhenrycaws@gmail.com> “Rich, I regret that Joan passed away yesterday, Ian”
http://www.nccheckers.org/NCCA/11-02-20 ... 20Caws.htm

[George Hay]

Rest in Peace, Joan Caws, the first Queen of World Checkers Draughts. My condolences to Ian Caws, the Caws family, friends of the family, and the English Draughts Association.

--Sincerely, George Hay

[Richard Pask]

Very sorry to hear this news. Joan was a fine person and Ladies Champion for many years.

1984 Home Internationals

Black: RJP
White: J Caws

9-14 23-19; 5-9 22-17; 11-15 26-23; 9-13 24-20; 15-24 28-19; 13-22 25-9; 6-13 29-25; 8-11 30-26; 11-15 27-24; 4-8 25-22; 8-11 32-28; 1-5 22-17; 13-22 26-17; 15-18 23-14; 11-16 20-11; 7-23 14-7; 3-10 17-14; 10-17 21-14; 2-7 24-19; 7-11 14-10; 11-16. Drawn.

[Alex_Moiseyev]

Richard, I join with you with all warm words about Joan. I met her several times and knew her as very kind, nice Lady and very good draughts player. It's a great loss for all of us.

The game which you copied here grabbed my attention because Joan played with white one of my favor lines (26-23) to avoid FIFE. According text of game, It appears like you missed a fine win here which makes the whole text of game very interesting and valuable and can add something to published play!

9-14 23-19; 5-9 22-17; 11-15 26-23; 9-13 24-20; 15-24 28-19; 13-22 25-9; 6-13 29-25; 8-11 30-26; 11-15 27-24; 4-8 25-22; 8-11 32-28; (A) 1-5 (B) 22-17; 13-22 26-17; 15-18 23-14; 11-16 20-11; 7-23 14-7; 3-10 17-14; 10-17 21-14; 2-7 24-19; 7-11 14-10; 11-16. Drawn.

White to move and draw.

22-17* (32-28? 1-6* RW)

A. See diagram. 32-28? loses as shown in note "B". 22-17 instead 32-28 would be correct and enough for safe draw.

B. 1-5? here miss a pretty win 1-6!, 22-17, 13x22, 26x17, 15-18, 23x14, 11-16, 20x11, 7x23, 14x7, 3x10, 24-19 (or 17-14, 10x17, 21x14, 23-27 etc Red Wins)6-9, 13-17, 2-6 Red Wins

[Richard Pask]

Dear Alex,

Many thanks for this valuable correction.

Incidentally, my ability to make mistakes has no bounds, so I am hopeful that before I am through I will have enhanced our understanding of the game considerably!

[williamdocherty]

This is very very sad news indeed.
Joan and Ian have been at the heart of the machine ever since I remember meeting them in 1981 and they were there long before that! Always involved in tournament organization at all levels, Joan also took part in promoting draughts among the youth in the UK.

I remember how sincerely pleased she seemed to be when I returned to draughts in 2000 (British ty) after a long 17 year break...she told me that she only wished that her youth promotion could have ensured that more 'youngsters' of the 80's that she'd introduced to the game at that time would still be playing...She seemed very sad about this point.

My thoughts are with Ian and the family, and I will always remember her as a witty cheerful girl,

William

[jeff webster]

Such a kind lady, I had the pleasure of meeting Joan and Ian in1981, they picked me up at Gatwick Airport and carried me to meet Bill Brewer in Bristol. Joan had a small magnetic board ready as Mr. Caws drove she and I played a few games to make the drive seem shorter. Still remember the pleasant smile on her face.

[George Hay]

EDA President Graham Young posts in the English Draughts Association Face Book Page:

As predestined of The EDA i have the sad news to put out as some may Know the Ian Caws passed away over the weekend in Barbarous, he was an long servant to the game of Draughts and to the EDA.

Many Checkerists have expressed their condolences.

This is the link to the EDA FB Page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1023013177855581/

Rest In Peace, Ian Caws.

Ian is reunited with Joan.

Sincerely, George Hay