Comments on: Skinning the Draw http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/ Ramblings and ruminations on chess in SE Wisconsin, the USA and the World Fri, 16 May 2008 06:12:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: John Powers http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-16902 John Powers Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:11:14 +0000 http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-16902 I am Averill Powers' nephew. Uncle Averill was everything his grandchildren say he was and more. A marvelously gentle man with an infinite capacity for kindness and good humor, my Uncle Averill would teach me chess whenever my family would visit. During the summers, my father (Averill's brother.) would drive us to Milwaukee for a yearly visit. On the floor of his family room, Uncle would teach my brothers and I chess. Once, beating me after only three moves, he smiled that wry smile, made a quip as was his way to take the sting out of my defeat and said simply, 'Johnny, let's play again.' We did. Modest to a fault, he never mentioned that he offered his home to Mr. Reshevsky or Mr. Fischer. It wasn't until much later in his life when we were visiting by telephone that I learned of this fascinating bit of family trivia and kindness. Even now, as I play chess on my cellphone, I always think of my Uncle Averill, the greatest chess master I will ever know and the kindest Uncle I ever had. I am Averill Powers’ nephew. Uncle Averill was everything his grandchildren say he was and more. A marvelously gentle man with an infinite capacity for kindness and good humor, my Uncle Averill would teach me chess whenever my family would visit. During the summers, my father (Averill’s brother.) would drive us to Milwaukee for a yearly visit. On the floor of his family room, Uncle would teach my brothers and I chess. Once, beating me after only three moves, he smiled that wry smile, made a quip as was his way to take the sting out of my defeat and said simply, ‘Johnny, let’s play again.’ We did. Modest to a fault, he never mentioned that he offered his home to Mr. Reshevsky or Mr. Fischer. It wasn’t until much later in his life when we were visiting by telephone that I learned of this fascinating bit of family trivia and kindness. Even now, as I play chess on my cellphone, I always think of my Uncle Averill, the greatest chess master I will ever know and the kindest Uncle I ever had.

]]> By: Administrator http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-6674 Administrator Fri, 24 Nov 2006 18:00:27 +0000 http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-6674 I'm depressed to learn he is no longer with us. I had his phone number on file here, and his name was on my list of players to interview during the upcoming year. I'm truly saddened to find out I've missed my chance. He was rising as a player when Elo was on the downhill side, and they had some good battles. You are the second of his kin I have heard from. From the two of you I believe he was as good a man, father, and grandfather as he was a chessplayer. I’m depressed to learn he is no longer with us. I had his phone number on file here, and his name was on my list of players to interview during the upcoming year. I’m truly saddened to find out I’ve missed my chance.

He was rising as a player when Elo was on the downhill side, and they had some good battles.

You are the second of his kin I have heard from. From the two of you I believe he was as good a man, father, and grandfather as he was a chessplayer.

]]> By: Shoshana http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-6662 Shoshana Fri, 24 Nov 2006 06:52:08 +0000 http://www.thechessmill.com/2006/11/15/skinning-the-draw/#comment-6662 I can't find an email so I'm posting here. I'm very proud to say that I'm a grandchild of former state champion Averill Powers, of blessed memory and I was toched the first time I saw him mentioned parentheticaly on your web page. He was a genius but never used a computer let alone internet! In your article on Bobby Fischer it says that Fischer reportedly stayed at my grandfather's house. According to his daughter, (my mother), that is indeed the case and she remembers Fischer vividly. Also Sammy Reshevsky would often visit when he was in town. I can’t find an email so I’m posting here.
I’m very proud to say that I’m a grandchild of former state champion Averill Powers, of blessed memory and I was toched the first time I saw him mentioned parentheticaly on your web page. He was a genius but never used a computer let alone internet! In your article on Bobby Fischer it says that Fischer reportedly stayed at my grandfather’s house. According to his daughter, (my mother), that is indeed the case and she remembers Fischer vividly. Also Sammy Reshevsky would often visit when he was in town.

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