Michael STOOP

Michael Stoop became something of an institution at the Guernsey Congress. He was always excellent company and conversations with him on any topic were always entertaining and stimulating. At breakfast and dinner he would hold court and show what an excellent raconteur he was. Michael was also very generous. More than once when I had had the pleasure of dining with him I discovered that without telling me he had taken care of my bill. My abiding memory of Michael was at the end of his final appearance at Guernsey two years ago. In the penultimate round Michael, who was suffering from an inoperable brain tumour, twice declined my offer of a draw in a gruelling five hour encounter. It is a game that I will always remember. David Bennett, Hove, Sussex.

I first met Michael Stoop in June 2000 when we played at the Reading Chess Congress. At seventy eight he was an improving senior and we soon got chatting about things and people outside chess. Michael kindly invited me back for supper and asked me to go down the cellar to fetch a bottle of Gruaud-Larose 1961. If there's any left then he died prematurely!

I found myself sitting in an elegant William and Mary drawing room furnished with priceless antiques overlooking the Italianate garden through curved bay windows with the summer evening sunlight glinting on Michael's silver trophies for backgammon and bridge. Months later I recall watching a programme along the lines of how to be a gentleman in which someone said that a gentleman always irons his shirt so that there is no crease down the outside of the sleeves. When I next saw him I asked, "Michael, does a gentleman iron his shirt so that there is no crease down the outside of the sleeves or not?" to which he replied, "A gentleman, Geoffrey, does not iron shirts."

He was not only a brave soldier (Military Cross) but an equally brave driver and I will never forget the time we travelled back from Jersey with Mark Ruston in Michael's Honda 'Legend'. The journey from Weymouth to Reading was a non-stop, white knuckle ride where roundabouts occasionally got in the way but failed to slow us down. Had Michael scored as many points at the previous tournament as he had on his driving licence then he would have been the outright winner and no mistake! I called him just before leaving for Gibraltar this year to ask if he was going again,

"No, actually, I've had a bit of bad luck, diagnosed with a brain tumour ... Bon Voyage."

I remember Michael Stoop because my Uncle, John Rhodes, was one of his oldest friends - from Rugby - and I met him a number of times with my uncle - all of which were great fun. His widow, Mrs Irena Rhodes and my father Richard and his wife Luba would all wish to send their condolences too if they had access to this site, so I am leaving this for them as well as myself.

Sarah Rhodes

A military hero, champion at backgammon and also a fine chess player he will be remembered with great affection by all who knew him