28/07/2006
Tributes paid to young chess star
The family of a young chess player who fell to her death at a hotel in the Czech Republic have paid tribute to her.
The family of 19-year-old Jessie Gilbert described her as "much loved" and an "exceptionally talented chess player".
Miss Gilbert fell from the window of her eight-floor room at the Hotel Labe in Pardubice, 65 miles east of Prague. Her body was discovered on Wednesday morning.
The teenager, from Croydon, Surrey, had been in the Czech Republic to participate in the Czech Open tournament.
Her family said that fellow British players had abandoned matches as a mark of respect for Miss Gilbert.
Miss Gilbert was one of Britain's leading female chess players and was working towards becoming a Woman's International Master. She took up the game at the age of eight and won the Women's Word Amateur Championship at the age of 11.
The teenager, who had a place at Oxford to study medicine, had also become involved with coaching younger players at the Andrew Martin Chess Academy.
John Upham, from the academy, described her as a "bright spark" in English chess and a "very promising player".
Police are continuing to investigate the teenager's death. Newspaper reports have speculated that Miss Gilbert may have committed suicide, although there have also been suggestions that she may have been sleepwalking.
(KMcA/SP)
The family of 19-year-old Jessie Gilbert described her as "much loved" and an "exceptionally talented chess player".
Miss Gilbert fell from the window of her eight-floor room at the Hotel Labe in Pardubice, 65 miles east of Prague. Her body was discovered on Wednesday morning.
The teenager, from Croydon, Surrey, had been in the Czech Republic to participate in the Czech Open tournament.
Her family said that fellow British players had abandoned matches as a mark of respect for Miss Gilbert.
Miss Gilbert was one of Britain's leading female chess players and was working towards becoming a Woman's International Master. She took up the game at the age of eight and won the Women's Word Amateur Championship at the age of 11.
The teenager, who had a place at Oxford to study medicine, had also become involved with coaching younger players at the Andrew Martin Chess Academy.
John Upham, from the academy, described her as a "bright spark" in English chess and a "very promising player".
Police are continuing to investigate the teenager's death. Newspaper reports have speculated that Miss Gilbert may have committed suicide, although there have also been suggestions that she may have been sleepwalking.
(KMcA/SP)
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