March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Bring back columnist

Recently Shelby Lyman has replaced George Cunningham as the chess columnist for the Bangor Daily News. I think the replacement of George Cunningham has done a disservice to George as well as to the chess community of Maine.

George has been the chess columnist for the Bangor Daily News for 22 years. Has any other columnist contributed so much for so long? George Cunningham is emeritus professor of mathematics at UMO. He is past treasurer and vice president of the U.S. Chess Federation and has recently been cited by Harold Dondis, the Boston Globe chess columnist, as one of USCF’s members who was instrumental in “saving” the organization from financial ruin. His credentials are monumental.

Shelby Lyman is a national syndicated columnist. Needless to say, he’s “from away.” George’s columns are filled with national, regional and local news. His commentaries are precise, insightful, and often witty. Who, among his fans, can forget his report of the “The Grandma’s Mate”?

The editors may not have appreciated how helpful and supportive it is to see one’s name in George’s column — describing one’s latest results in a local tournament. The younger players love the recognition. The local quality and color of George’s columns can never be matched in Lyman’s columns. In addition to reporting the results of tournaments, his announcements of up-and-coming tournaments are often the only way players learn of their existence. His periodic comments on the activities of the local clubs are extremely helpful in keeping these clubs alive.

We hope the editors or the powers to be will reconsider George Cunningham — a columnist who has served the Bangor Daily News and the chess community in an oustanding manner over 22 years. Imagine, 22 years! William F. Gallagher Bangor


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