David Blair is a very active player and appears on the ICCF rating list at over 2300. He has held the offices of ICCA Secretary and Treasurer but is currently taking a rest. He is still acting as our Northern ireland treasurer and selector, however. Below you can see one of his games and a profile in his own words.

"A brief history of the story so far; I am 48 and a printer by profession I was taught the basics of the game by my friend Billy Irvine at the age of 14. After moving school I was fortunate to encounter a very good teacher Edward Crilly who enstilled in me a love for the game I quickly made the 1st team at school and further honed my skills at the old CIYMS club 3 nights a week!.

After 2 years I was prompted to enter the Irish School Boys tournament in Dublin and I finished =2nd behind David Wilson and = with Bernard Kiernan and Willie Collins. That summer I represented Ireland in the Glorney Cup losing to England and drawing with Wales.

I played in Irish Championships through the 70's my best finish being in Dublin where I got 5pts. I was placed once in a class section in the British Championships winning the princely sum of £30. I finished equal 2nd to Philip Short in a big tournament in the Europa Hotel where there was a strong entry attracted by a prize fund of £2200.

I helped to organise and run the Irish Championships in Coleraine and then dropped out of chess for about 8 years before returning to play in and help to organise the Northern Ireland Postal Chess Association I was one of the movers in bringing about the integrated organisation we now call ICCA."