Sandy Cordon‘s son Ian Cordon is the only player from Bedfordshire to participate in an Olympiad according to the research I have conducted so far. He played Board 1 for Bermuda twice. Old Tom Sweby also claimed he was the Bedfordshire first team’s youngest ever player, so I thought I should contact him:
‘Hi there, I am being asked by a number of your father’s former friends whether you have any of his games? There is one in particular where he played a stunning queen sacrifice at Hitchin in 83. GM Plaskett mentioned it to me as well as Paul Habershon. Don’t have it do you by chance?‘
‘Unfortunately no. I suspect all his old chess stuff got thrown out when the house was sold after he and his wife died. If I come across anything I will get back to you.‘
‘Also, I have a question. Columnist Tom Sweby, who wrote for the Luton News and Dunstable Gazette claims you were the youngest ever to play for the county first team. Is there any truth to this? Can you remember when you first played and how old you were?‘
‘I was 11, so in 1966. I tagged along with my Dad to watch a match between Beds. and Cambridge University and the Beds. team turned out to be a player short so I played on board 20. To everyone’s surprise, not least the student, I won.’
‘Sweby claims you were only 10, was he wrong there?‘
Hi Mark.
‘Yes I could have been 10, but quite honestly my memory of 60 years ago is a bit fuzzy! (Although weirdly I can still picture having to sit on a cushion to see the board.)‘
‘My Dad spent a lot of time and energy helping with chess administration. He was proud as president of the BCF of successfully changing the focus and finances to grassroots chess and away from the elite. I also remember him doing the gradings for everyone in southern England by hand.‘
‘As a player he was obviously a decent club player, but probably he was most proud of beating Tal when he came to give a simultaneous display (Luton I think in the 1960’s).‘
‘This was not reported on in the luton news. 75 wasn’t it or 74?‘
‘Yes he told me about his game against Tal (Tal sacrificed a piece for an attack and eventually my Dad returned the piece to defuse the attack and remain a pawn up). But I don’t know the date – I thought it was 1960’s but if it was 1970’s I would have been at university and only have heard about it later (which makes sense).‘
What can be gleaned from this? Until further research has been completed Ian Cordon remains the youngest to play for Bedfordshire first team and the only Bedfordshireonian to have participated at an Oympiad (1986 & 1988).
Update Dec 8th 2024, I am informed by former county team member Brian Valentine that Ian’s record as the youngest to participate for Bedfordshire has recently been broken by a certain Daniela Dairi, aged 9, who played on board 16 for Bedfordshire in the recently held Fleming Trophy.
Mark. J. McCready, Mandalay
McCreadyandChess 
On Saturday the annual Fleming Trophy takes place. Selected on board 16 is Daniela Dairi, who has just turned nine. I can’t be sure that this finally overturns Corden’s record as it may be her older brother Ramsey did it earlier.
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Thanks Brian, I was unaware of this. Any further details much appreciated.
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The result is here. A surprising wide margin; we think we won the last six games to finish. I think Ramsey was 10 when he first played in 2022 and so Daniella (note spelling!) is the new youngest. She had all the chances in her draw against a much higher rated player.
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Brian, the link you pasted doesnt open. So that I may ammend my post all information on our youngest county pleayer will be gratefully received. A pic too if possible!
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Mark,
If you go into the rating website events tab, search for 2048 and click on Flemimg Trophy that will get you there. Not sure what I can do about background/pic but will investigate.
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Many thanks, and may I ask are you in contact with John Shaw? Kevin Williamson informs me he has county records. I did send him an email but he hasn’t replied. If it’s possible, I would like to incorporate them onto my site if he is prepared to hand them over.
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