IN MEMORIAM JOAQUIM DURÃO

Joaquim Durão

We have been sadly informed that Portuguese International Master Joaquim Durão passed away today, at the age of 84.

Mr. Durão was the first Portuguese player to win the title of International Master in 1975 and represented the country in 10 Chess Olympiads. He was 13 times Portuguese Chess Champion and President of the Portuguese Federation of Chess for nearly 20 years (1968-1973, 1988 -1997 and 2005-2007). He was also a member of the Executive Committee of FIDE for 14 years (1982-1996) and Vice-President in the last two years in office.

Joaquim Durão received the Order of Merit from the President of Portugal Mr. Jorge Sampaio.

His contribute to Portuguese Chess was immense and he was widely recognized as one of the ambassadors of Portuguese Chess Worldwide.

The European Chess Union expresses most sincere condolences to Mr. Durão’s family, Portuguese Chess Federation and the whole chess community on their loss.