John Brown, A Legend of Las Vegas Chess

The late John Brown has become a legend in the circles of Las Vegas chess since his death of a heart attack on July 1, 2006. Any Las Vegas chess player who knew John Brown has some interesting, and sometimes unbelievable story to tell. Unfortunately, I know very little about the legend of John Brown, who was one of the best chess players in Las Vegas, Nevada for years. I first met John sometime in 2002 where the local tournament director, Gordon Barrett, used to direct rapid chess tournaments every Tuesday night in the local sub shop. Some people would say John was a very eccentric person, but he always seemed to be polite and to have a love for the game. I remember the first time that I met John. It was in 2002 on my first visit to Gordon Barrett's tournament in the local sub shop. As I walked in I noticed a short, pot-bellied man playing a few warm-up games with an older gentlemen. I thought to myself, "This guy cannot be a real chess player." Then the tournament began and John crushed all opposition, winning outright. He basically blew me off the board! However, I did manage to win a game or two against John in the next two years; however, it was only due to his ill health. John was born John Davidian. He would later change his name to Brown and the details why follows in the paragraph below. John Trivett, one of Vegas' chess tournament directors, told me John was a classically trained pianost in his youth. If I remember correctly, Trivett told me John's father basically forced piano playing upon his son. One day John had enough and never looked at a piano again. Who can blame him? Somehow John developed a love for the game of chess and the birth of a local legend would begin. He was a very strong chess player who never acquired a title. John was also an Army veteran, having served 18 months in Germany. The following information may or may not be true. These stories were passed to me by several of the local chess players; however, knowing John Brown, it wouldn't surprise me if they were all true. You're probably wondering why John changed his last name. Mike Thurber, a local chess player who knew John, told me John played and beat Grandmaster Walter Browne, one of the top chess players in America. John took on GM Browne in Browne's "bread n butter" Sicilian Najdorf . John defeated GM Browne who was one of the top experts in the Najdorf. Thurber told me that after the victory John Davidian changed his name to John Brown (in honour of his defeat of GM Browne!). Thurber also told that after John's defeat of GM Browne, John would only wear the colour, brown! After Thurber told me this, I thought, "I remember John only wearing brown clothes. There must be something to this." A few years ago I was reading John Watson's "Play the French" 3rd edition. One of John Brown's games was used in the book! The following games are from the Nevada Chess Bulletin, October 2006. Most if not all of the games were provided by John Trivett. They show John Brown demolishing three masters! If anybody has some good John Brown stories or corrections, I would appreciate if you would post. Thanks Paul