Chess Archives - Lt Burnard, Royal Flying Corps WW1 diary

23 Aug 1918: POW Graudenz

Friday August 23rd. Judged the game to be a draw. 6 – 6.

21 Aug 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Wednesday August 21, 1918, Graudenz: Chess competition — Wednesday, August 21, 1918: Chess competition

Wednesday. August 21. Block II played Block I chess; 12 boards; played 2nd board, and won my game against Bewlay; score 5½ – 5½, and top game left to Bewlay and me to adjudicate.

Thursday. August 1st. Played and lost one of the keenest games of chess I’ve ever had, against one Haddon. Lasted 2¾ hours. Adjourned twice. Thought the position each time was worth recording. I played black.

RAB diary Thursday August 1, 1918, Graudenz: "Chess positions" — Thursday, August 1, 1918: “Chess positions”

13 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Saturday July 13, 1918, Graudenz: "exchange of prisoners?" — Saturday, July 13, 1918: “exchange of prisoners?”

Saturday July 13th Great excitement has us all in thrall. It seems fairly official that negotiations are in hand at the Hague for the immediate exchange of prisoners, whether direct repatriation, conditional or unconditional; or internment in Holland. I confess myself sceptical. Beaten at chess. 2½ hours.

10 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Wednesday July 10, 1918, Graudenz: "Still have no appetite" — Wednesday, July 10, 1918: “Still have no appetite”

Wednesday July 10th. Felt rather better. Still have no appetite. Beat another man at chess.

8 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary Monday July 8, 1918, Graudenz: "Feel jolly bad" — Monday, July 8, 1918: “Feel jolly bad”

Monday July 8th. Feel jolly bad, and totally disinclined to eat, especially this black bread. Afraid I’m going to be ill. Beat some fellow at chess. He must have been rotten.

4 July 1918: POW Graudenz

RAB diary July 4, 1918, Graudenz: “Joined Chess Club today” — Thursday, July 4, 1918: “Joined Chess Club today”

Thursday. July. 4. Feeling rather better. News of a issue of grub tomorrow. Also revisiting the dentist; still it’s no good getting grub if you can’t eat it, is it? Joined Chess Club today. Class A.