News

Trevor Holt

Published on: 15 -12-2025

Richard Reynolds writes:

Olton Chess club are sad to announce that Trevor Holt sadly passed away last Thursday, 27th November 2025. He was in his nineties and had until fairly recently been playing at a good standard in the League. He had been having treatment for 2 or 3 months and was playing friendlies at home with his brother Colin.

Trevor had been playing for Olton Chess club since the seventies. A decent level player himself, his main aim was to encourage his late son Phil to play and improve to a high level. He was entirely successful in that goal and Trevor continued to play in the top division for many years.

Many League players will have encountered Trevor's attacking style. Fast out of the blocks with an opening rooted in the 19th Century, trappy and often of doubtful soundness if analysed fully. But many a league player, thinking they were sharp players were met with an equally sharp response. The 'Wilkes-Barre' variation of the two Knights Defence was a permanent topic of study in the Holt household. Scotch gambit, Evans Gambit, French Winawer Variation, anything that gambitted a pawn for an attack on the f pawn.

Away from the board, Trevor was the examiner of the club accounts for many years and was happy to get players to matches. He was the main carer for his wife in later years and was devastated by the death of his son Phil. He was an independent accountant, but managed to keep up a high standard of chess, despite long hours.

Trevor's enthusiasm for the 'Grandstand Finish' often resulted in a loss instead of a slow grinding win. Draws were rare and only as the last resort. Many games were submitted to the club bulletin, including one from 2007 on the club website games page.

Trevor's funeral will take place on Monday 5th January 2026 at 11.30am  at:

Robin Hood Crematorium,
Streetsbrook Road, Shirley,
Solihull, B90 3NL

There will be a gathering afterwards at:

Hall Green Home Guard Club
21a Doveridge Road
Hall Green, B28 0LS

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