Sunday
Dec222013
John Grefe, 1947-2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013 at 11:40PM
John Grefe, an American IM and United States co-champion in 1973, died earlier today (Sunday) at the age of 66. Grefe will be unknown to most players outside the U.S., and even to those inside the U.S. as well unless their chess careers or their knowledge of American chess goes back to the 70s and early 80s, but he was considered quite a talented player back in his day. He seems to have given up on serious play in 1981, and while that was probably the right thing decision financially it was a pity for chess, as he had a very lively style. (Have a look at the games given and linked to in his Wikipedia article for ample evidence.)
My condolences to his friends and family.
tagged John Grefe
Reader Comments (4)
Talk about a shock !
Grefe actually played up through a least the early 90's.....I still recall a tournament article in the now-defunct Inside Chess in which he took part in an event with Tal, Browne, Wolff, and others.
[DM: Right, but I think that was about the only thing he played in then - at least the only really major event. That was in 1991, but at least in the database there's him playing regularly through 1981, and then that's that until the event you mention, and a few drips and drabs after that.]
With little doubt, he's probably best known for his dark horse-style performance at the 1973 U.S. championship, in which (despite being "only" an IM) in which he tied for first with Kavalek. In fact, he scored six wins in a row during the event.
The 1973 event was also his debut in the (almost) annual event. He also played in the 1974, 1975, and 1977 editions, as well.
Sad to hear about John Grefe. As I am about the same age it is a little eerie to hear that he die so young (sic). How he missed becoming a GM is a head scratch-er . I know he shared the US title on at least one occasion and I believed he won at least one US open. He also wrote a fine book on the Queens Indian Defense, which he played often. He was also known for his great work ethic, which may have lead to him quitting so early. They say he often put in over 8 hours a day of study. Walter Browne, Jim Tarjan, Kavalek and Grefe were the young core of US chess after Bobby Fisher quit playing and the wave of Soviet emigrants began.
I still have a 1974 copy of " Over Board" the Pennsylvania Chess Federation publication that had an article on John Grefe.
I remember he had a habit of gently pushing/sliding the pieces from one square to another, this act became known as "Grefeing the pieces.." Sad to hear he has passed on, in my mind he will always be lean, lanky and sporting a full and lengthy head of hair!
I met John Grefe when we both played in the 1979 Paul Keres Memorial in Vancouver. A very nice man and a very talented player.