Bill Hook facts for kids
Bill Hook (born May 28, 1925 – died May 10, 2010) was a talented chess master. He was born in New Rochelle, New York. Bill Hook also became the Captain of the British Virgin Islands chess team.
Starting in 1968, Bill Hook led the Virgin Islands team. Later, he led the British Virgin Islands team. He played in many Chess Olympiads, which are big international chess tournaments. He usually played on the top board, meaning he was the strongest player on his team.
Winning a Gold Medal
At the 1980 Malta Olympiad, Bill Hook won a gold medal! He earned this for having the best percentage score on board 1. This means he won most of his games against other top players. He even beat a grandmaster and several national champions. To celebrate this amazing win, the British Virgin Islands created a special stamp in his honor.
Facing a Chess Legend
During the 1970 Siegen Olympiad, Bill Hook's team played against the USA team. This was a very famous match because Hook played against the legendary Bobby Fischer. Hook played with the black pieces and used a special opening called the French Defence. The game was very exciting! It ended with Bobby Fischer making a brilliant rook sacrifice.
Beyond the Chessboard
Bill Hook was not just a chess player. He also wrote a book about chess. He wrote many articles for magazines and newspapers too. In the art world, he was known for his painting and photography. He even had his own art shows. Bill Hook lived in Washington D.C. with his wife, Mimi, until he passed away on May 10, 2010.
Bill Hook's Book
- Hooked on Chess by Bill Hook ISBN: 90-5691-220-8
