FM Ronald Simpson: 1960-2013
Wilbert Paige Memorial in 2001. He also left a rather extensive autobiography which can be read in the comment section below.
” I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him.”
~GM Maurice Ashley
For Ron, he enjoyed the tactical morass of positions (despite playing the positional English) and became known for his swashbuckling style of play. He played for the Carolina Cobras in the U.S. Chess League and was well-respected by players there. He won a number of tournaments and was a former North Carolina State champion. His passion for the game was noted and Chris Mabe even reflected on a recent visit with Ron about all matters pertaining to chess.
“I saw him over Labor Day at Duke medical center. Man, we talked for at least 2 hours about various chess positions and how we should educate people about the game. The point is that he was still full of life and excited about chess and the community.”
~Chris Mabe
There will be a viewing at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC) on Sunday, September 22nd from 2-4pm. The body will then be shipped to New York (where his mother lives) for a formal service. After the funeral, players in North Carolina are having a chess memorial service for at Caribou Coffee, 3300 Duraleigh Road Raleigh, NC 27612 (919) 787-9611. It will start at around 4:30pm. Players are encouraged to bring chess sets and memories of Ron to share. If there are any questions, call Gary Newsom at 704-618-1259. (Link: https://www.ncchess.org/)
Willie “Pops” Johnson vs. FM Ron Simpson (front) & Jeffrey Mitchell vs. FM Maurice Ashley (back); 2nd African-American Unity tournament, 7 March 1992. Photo by Jerry Bibuld.
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Thanks to GM Hikaru Nakamura for notifying The Chess Drum!
My condolences to Ron’s family. I hope that many will celebrate his strength, talent, and depth.
– with heartfelt Sincerity, Kimani A. Stancil.
I’m stunned, Ron was one of the best people I ever had the opportunity to meet! It was my pleasure to play him in the World Open twenty five years ago! I would see Ron from time to time at the major tournaments and he always gave me a warm friendly greeting, a wonderful person! May God be with his family!
I am saddened by the loss of this warrior of the game R.I.P. Ron Simpson. My condolences go out to the family!
What a great loss to the U.S. Chess community. I met Ron for the first time a couple of years ago at the Land of the Sky tournament. I had the honor of sharing first place with him in the blitz tournament over GM Alexander Ivanov, but Ron took the Official first on tie breaks. I was beaten by Ron in the last round of the regular tourney with a tactical flurry out of the blue. He was a gentleman with a peaceful spirit and demeanor. I am truly sad at his passing, but cherish the time I had to spend with this great chess personality.
I did not know Mr. Simpson well, but a few things about him impressed me greatly. His demeanor of quiet intensity at the board. His evident great skill and love for the game. Perhaps what he will be remembered for most here in NC, though, is his generosity of spirit. He played anyone, without regard for rating, and I would often see him helping young players analyze between rounds. Too many masters seem to disdain even conversation with the lowly ordinary amateur player; Mr. Simpson was different.
My condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. He will be greatly missed.
The last game Ron and I played (Charlotte, 2009) ended in a rare (for both) quick draw after 11 moves. When I accepted the draw offer Ron who played black said something along “Timur, I think it is equal now and I respect your chess skills to play for a win”.
I will always remember the warm smile on Ron’s face, his intelligence, his love of chess and the positive energy that Ron always brought into a playing hall.
I am very sad today.
My condolences to Ron’s family and friends.
In a conversation near the Marshall CC one weekend, Ron confided that he wished he hadn’t played so much speed chess coming up, the implcation was he felt that it hurt his game. He also told me that if the opportunities in Chess today were available when he came along he would have “jumped on it” In my only tournament victory, I was 1400 and he was 1900, He said ” I was waiting for you to make a mistake and you didn’t make any” Like people said before me in the comments section he was truly a “Black Bear” warm and fluffy but ferocious over the board.
I have a video of him playing blitz with my son and James from last year. He looked great and was in high spirit. May his soul rest in peace.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Ron Simpson. I enjoyed what little time I spent in his presence. He is a fine human being, and will be greatly missed in the chess community.
I was shocked and saddened when I saw that Ron passed away. I was thinking I would see him in North Carolina for Labor Day but he was not there. I met him at the Land of the Sky some years ago. We played a few times in the tournament and played blitz many times. He was very nice every time we played and offered to review the game with me. Very sad news. My deepest condolences to his family and everyone who knew him.
What a tragedy. I know he was near a great institute at Duke. I collaborated with them. In the 80’s and 90’s I played most every master east of the Mississippi and can honestly agree with the statement on the USCL. He was one of the nicest and a pleasure to talk with. He will be missed by many. Condolences to his family.
Fortunately, Ron and I played at the Reverse Angle in Charlotte just a few months ago, just before his health had took a turn for the worse. I never knew of his condition until a friend of mine told me in July that Ron may never return to the chessboard. I couldnt believe my ears and didnt want to believe it. It was always a dream of mine to play such a strong player as Ron and I had been itching at the opportunity to play him at every tournament that I attended. Finally, I got that chance! After years of hoping, we sat down in front of each other as we both were 2-0 and playing on the money board. I was nervous, but excited as I had always wanted a chance at the best in the state. The game was a sharp f3 Nimzo that I had looked at a few weeks before the tournament. Im sure Ron didnt see it coming and probably wasn’t too surprised because of his knowingly Irregular Opening repertoire. In a time scramble, I blundered away a dead draw position and Ron took sole first place. I couldn’t have been happier with a loss because I at least knew I gave him a good game and walked away learning much more in the process! Ron and I went over the endgame for a few minutes and he showed me the “easy” drawing line and even uttered “you’re a lot stronger than your rating.” Hearing that made me want to improve my chess significantly. Ron was a kind, gentle soul, that the NC Chess Community needed and will sorely miss! I enjoyed my only encounter with Ron and I hope that we will have more chess battles in our next life.
With tears in my eyes I write this . Ronnie was a sweet heart of a person . I remember the many hours at the barber shop ,the park , The sessions at the fire breathers home went on for hours and hours the egos were checked at the door . The feeling of friendship and respect dominated cause that is what BLACK BEARS were about . So sad Love ya Ron god rest you. Tell fire breather “whats up ” I miss him.
Herminio “Minio ” Baez founding member THE BLACK BEAR SCHOOL of CHESS
Condolences from the Jamaican Chess fraternity to the family and friends of Ronald Simpson who has made an ineffaceable impact on, and left an indelible legacy to, the Chess World. May his soul rest in peace and that great perpetual light shine on him (and his games!) forever!
Ohh! it is very sad moment for us to lose an active chess player. Ronaldo was one of the well known chess player in the world.
I was shocked to learn that Ron had cancer and that he passed last week.We worked at the National Weather Service HQ in Bohemia, Suffolk County Long Island,NY. We were attending Electrical System Analyst training in Kansas City and Ron entered and Won a Chess tournament while we were there. He was Great Friend and Co-Worker.
My deepest condolences to the Simpson family and friends for the loss of a great person and legendary chess master. The global village has lost a fierce but gentle warrior!
Sad. And I was not familiar with him. I also see that IM Michael Schleifer pictured above playing FM Morrison, lost his life as well a few years ago. My condolences to both families.
I very much want to echo the sentiments of my current NC + USCF chess colleagues LM Chris Mabe, Josh Lawson, Scott Baldwin, Dr. Joseph Graves, Mr. Tom Hales, and several others. Despite the time that has gone by since Ron’s passing, we’ve yet to find a chess presence in the state that is of Ron’s caliber. He took the time to watch some of my tournament games, from my side of the board, in Asheboro. I will never forget that. He even played me in one casual blitz game, one that Ron won handily, between rounds of one of the Asheboro tournaments. He didn’t have to do this with me or any other player .. he did it as a favor to his chess community. GM Ashley was also incredible enough to give me some of his recent free time, online, to further reflect on Ron’s legacy. Chess in Asheboro, and throughout the entire state of NC, will never be the same without Ron !