THE family of a Sheffield-born chess prodigy who has died aged 78 today paid tribute to him as "a family man with a great mind".
John Littlewood was a real Sheffield star - one of Britain's leading amateur chess players right up to his final days.
A tribute from his Sheffield-based brothers Frank, Michael and David and other siblings Raymond and Judy said: "We are so proud of all John's achievements. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.
"He was a family man with a great mind - a real academic. Many people in Sheffield will miss him."
John was the fourth of 11 siblings who grew up on Eastern Avenue, Arbourthorne, and first started playing chess at the age of 13 with his brother Norman.
And by the time he was 16 he was beating all-comers in the local chess clubs.
He went on to study at Sheffield University, where he won three university tournaments and the Sheffield Championship.
His first major tournament was at the 1959 British Chess Championship in York. He ripped through the early rounds and was nicknamed 'the Lincolnshire poacher' because at the time he was working as a teacher in Skegness.
But John rejected the title - he was proud of his Sheffield roots.
John's most famous game was in 1961/62, when he came close to beating world champion Mikhail Botvinnik at the Hastings International Chess Congress.
He launched a fierce attack that the champion was able to defend only with a concealed tactical. Mr Botvinnik went on to include the defensive masterpiece in his autobiography Best Games - a clear tribute to John.
In 2006 John won the British Senior Championship in Swansea.
Just last year he tried again for the title - at 77 one of the oldest players taking part - and tied for first place.
He also wrote the Littlewood's Choice column in the monthly English Chess Federation magazine. He sent his most last contribution for publication the night before he died of kidney failure on September 16.
At the end of his life John lived in Skelmersdale, Lancashire. He is survived by his wife, Jean, seven children and eight grandchildren.
John's funeral will take place tomorrow at 3pm at St Helen's Crematorium, Rainford Road, St Helens. All are invited to a reception at the Holland Hall Hotel, Upholland.
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