The GROWTH of Hexagonal Chess

Current European champion Hexagonal Chess, Sergej Korchitsky sent a copy of a (typewritten) document, describing the history of Hexagonal Chess, (Glinski's variant), issued in 1982.

1938

Wladyslaw Glinski, a keen chess player on the square board since his early school days in Poland, while still a student, conceived the idea of creating Hexagonal Chess.

1946

Glinski came to Britain from Italy as a young Polish soldier under British command, settled, and became naturalized.

1953

Hexagonal Chess included in Prof. Boyer's book "Jeux d'echecs non-orthodoxes", published in France.

1972

Glinski finally perfected the game in England.

1973

Hexagonal Chess Publications formed by partnership of Wladyslaw Glinski and William Edmunds.

"Rules of Hexagonal Chess" by W. Glinski published. Copyright established.

December: Hexagonal Chess officially introduced to the world at inaugural presentation and press conference at the Waldorf Hotel, London. W. Glinski interviewer by Valerie Singleton on BBC TV. Widely reported in press.

1974

"Games & Puzzles" magazine published very favorable article by the Editor, David Pritchard.

"British Chess Magazine" published enthusiastic review by A. J. Roycroft, Editor of 'IE.G.11 (End Game) magazine.

"First Theories of Hexagonal Chess" by W. Glinski published by Hexagonal Chess Publications.

1975

Hexagonal Chess spread to many other countries, particularly Poland.

Hexagames Limited formed (incorporating Hexagonal Chess Publications), holding world monopoly rights in Hexagonal Chess including copyright.

BBC World Service reported Hexagonal Chess in "New Ideas From Britain" program, followed by BBC French Service and BBC Japanese Service which resulted in large response.

1976

June: First Hexagonal Chess Congress at Bloomsbury Centre Hotel, London, which included the inauguration of the British Hexagonal Chess Federation and the first British Hexagonal Chess Championship. David Springgay took the title.

December: First issue of "Hex Press" (Hexagonal Chess News) published.

1977

Hexagonal Chess was topic for many newspapers and magazines in Poland and other Eastern European countries.

December: Second British Championship held at Clifton-Ford Hotel, London. Brian Rippon took the title.

1978

January: Inventor visited Poland. Succesful Hexagonal Chess event staged. Wide publicity in Eastern Europe. `Wspolna Sprawa' produced and distributed over 90,000 inexpensive sets in 18 months. September: First International Team Match - Poland v. G.V. at Central Hall, Westminster, London. Event shown on BBC and Australian TV, reported in press at home and abroad - including Japan.

1979

July: Third British Championship held at Polish Cultural Institute, London. Title taken by Simon Triggs, nearly 16 years old.

August: Return International Team Match - Poland v G.B. in Warsaw. Sponsored by magazine "Horyzonty Technikili" (which includes a regular column on Hexagonal Chess).

Whilst in Poland, Simon Triggs played the first mixed (6 square and 6 hexagonal boards) simultaneous display. Wide press and TV coverage.

Hexagonal Chess clubs formed in Poland, Czeehoslovakia and USSR.

1980

August: International Congress at Polish Cultural Institute, London, which included:

Inauguration of Internatienal Hexagonal Chess Federation
First European Championship
Team Match: Poland v G.B.

Countries taking part: Austria, Great Britain, Hungary and Poland. Event covered by BBC TV and newspapers at home and abroad, including USSR ("Komsomolskaya Pravda" - 10,500,000 circulation), Austria and Hungary. Also radio in USA.

First four places: 1: Marek Mackowiak (Poland), 2: Laszlo Rudolf (Hungary), 3: Jan Borawski (Poland), 4: Piers Shepperson (G.B.).

1981

September: First Hungarian Hexagonal Chess Championship in Szekszard. Title taken by Laszlo Sziraki.

Forth Britisch Championship held at Woodford Bridge, Essex. Local and National press coverage, including picture in "The Times". Four players tied for first place. Final play-off arranged for October.

October: Play-off held in association with the North London (square-board) Congress, when Simon Triggs retained his title.

1982

April: Second Hungarian Championship held in Miscolc. Laszlo Rudolf became the Hungarian Champion for 1982.

June: Final aggreement and arrangements completed with "Bohemia" in West Germany regarding production of a new complete Hexagonal Chess boxed game with roll-up double-sided board (hexagonal/square) and wooden pieces to be distributed in the West European market. July: An open Hexagonal Chess Tournament was held on 10th and llth July in the famous "Sokolnikili" Park in Moscow. Players from Moscow and elsewhere in t in the USSR took part in the competition. First place and the "Moscow Trophy" were taken by F. Goncharov. Second was S. Seryubin and Third V. Goltyapin. Judging from the reports received, this tournament has considerably accelerated the development and popularity of Hex Chess in the USSR. Further tournaments, including international team matches (over-the-board and corresoondenee) are being organized.

Open International Tournament held in Pecs, Hungary, 24th - 31st July. This tournament was organized by the President of the Hungarian Hexagonal Chess Association, Mihaly Gelencser, and sponsored by the Zsolnay porcelain factory in Pecs, which also donated the "Zsolnay Cup" as well as other prizes of porcelain figures. The winner of the Tournament was Laszlo Rudolf (Hungary). Second place was taken by Sinon Triggs (Great Britain).

September: Fifth British Championship held in London. Simon Triggs (19) of Garston, Hertfordshire, won the title of British Hexagaonal Chess Champion for the third time in succession. Press Association attended and wrote lengthy baekground. All the "quality newspapers" took photographs. LBC Radio and BBC Radio London broadcast interviews.

More manufacturers in the United Kingdom are now also ready to produce under licence, various styles of Hexagonal Chess, including specials for the Gift Trade thereby rendering Hex Chess more readily available to the British Public to satisfy the growing demand. U.S.A. Hex Chess is now rapidly expanding in the U.S.A. Particularly in California with Hex Chess demonstrations, local press, - TV reports and the formation of the Hexagonal Chess Section in the well-known Chess Centre in Monterey (Hex-Chess Center, P.O. Box 1308, 430 Alvarado Street, Monterey, CA 93940 Tele: (408) 372-9790). Producers of traditional as well as computer games are showing great interest. Formation of the United States Hexagonal Chess Federation expected soon.

FORTHCOMING MAJOR EVENT:

FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Resulting from the popular demand of Hex Chess players from several countries, preparations have begun for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP to be held in London during the first half of 1984, depending on sponsorship. Being the first world Championship, each competing country which has an Hexagonal Chess Federation or Association affiliated to the I.H.C.F. may send it's tw0 strongest players to compete for the title.

Issued by:
Hexagonal Chess Promotion Department,
32 Rosedene Avenue,
London,
5W16 2LT
Tele: 01-643-4441, 01-769-6886, 01-769-3709
London, November, 1982.

Comment from Hans Bodlaender

A few years ago, I received an email of someone, who participated in a Hexagonal Chess tournament in the United States, being a friend of the organizer. It is likely that more Hexagonal Chess tournaments have been held in the U.S. and other countries.

WWW page made by Hans Bodlaender, based on document of Hexagonal Chess Promotion Department, 1982, sent to me by Sergej Korchitsky.

WWW page created: June 2, 1999.