Cover Story / Harold Dondis
Devoted
Remembering Harold Dondis 1922-2016
By AL LAWRENCE | Photos TONY CORTIZAS JR
office to drive to his cherished Boylston Chess Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he suffered a fatal heart attack while playing in the Thursday night Swiss. He had filled his final day with his two great passions. He died in the city where seven decades ago he excelled in his law school class at Harvard University. His final game took place an hour’s drive and a half a century away from what was certainly one of the high points in Dondis’ life, his 19-move defeat of Bobby Fischer in a Fitchburg simultaneous exhibition given by the future chess world champion. In a joyful celebration singular in chess, his exuberant club members hoisted Dondis, then their state federation president, on their shoulders for a triumphant exit. That snapshot of his life captures the essence of Harold—a man who did wonderful things and a man who was beloved. A brilliant, multi-talented man who leaves behind a record of important achievements
A
in several fields normally conjures up the term “driven” in remembrances. But “devoted” is the word that comes up most often in the stories Dondis’ confidantes tell, as they color in the portrait of a modest man who used his special gifts for others. That’s certainly a word that comes up a lot in the memories his wife Claire shares. Born in his parents’ home, Harold grew up in the small, seaside town of Rockland,
Maine, where his family owned and ran the Strand, the local movie house, fostering his love of film. “His favorite was Casablanca,” Claire told me. “We’d watch it every New Year’s Eve.” As a youngster, Dondis went to local public schools. One summer camp, a counselor forced him to start playing chess when little Harold won too often at checkers. But he got more serious about our game only later, as a philosophy major at Bowdoin College, graduating in 1943. And he remained deeply devoted to the courtly game for the rest of his life. “He wasn’t just looking for a friendly game over a glass of wine. He was committed to tournament competition,” Claire said. How did his wife feel about so much of his spare time taken up by chess? “I loved his commitment to chess. I always knew where he was and who he was with,” she laughed.
20 April 2016 | Chess Life
side from his friends and family, Harold Dondis was enchanted by the spell of two siren songs. He loved the law and he loved chess. On December 15, at the age of 93 and after more than 70 years pursuing both, he left his Boston law
“Harold Dondis was one of those rare people whose heart and mind were always in the right place, working together to provide help. The US Chess Trust will miss him, but his legacies will live on.” —JIM EADE, PRESIDENT, US CHESS TRUST
“When I was a young teenager, Harold would drive me out to the Billerica Chess Club once a week (Thursday night, if memory serves) for the evening chess game. In the car we would talk about chess, law, politics, and anything else under the sun. (I was—and still am—so impressed that he argued in front of the Supreme Court!) I loved those conversations. I’m very sorry he’s gone, but very glad he lived so well.” —GM PATRICK WOLFF, TWO-TIME U.S. CHAMPION
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