ROBIN CLAY - TRIBUTES
After receiving emails of condolence and sympathy following Robin's passing I felt a tribute page would be an excellent way to show our support for his wife Sally and his children.
If you would like to send a tribute please do so via backgammon@msoworld.com
Michael Crane.
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Stephen Turner - 01/12/00
Very sorry to hear about Robin's death. Thanks for letting us know.
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Michael Strato - 01/12/00
I was sad to hear this news. I bought Robin's book "Winning Strategies" last year and thoroughly enjoyed the puzzle section. I had even made attempts to contact him to promote his books but my emails were never answered. The staff of GammonVillage sends its most sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Clay.
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John Broomfield - 01/12/00
I am sad to see of the passing away of Robin and appreciate the notification. Once the funeral arrangements are known, I would be glad of the detail - and would hope to be able to attend.
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Blaine Buchanan - 01/12/00
I am very sad to hear of Robin's death. I am one of the many who came to realize just how wonderful a game backgammon is, after reading one of his books. Due to Robin, I have had the pleasure of many games and met many friends. I told Robin of my debt to him at my first BIBA tournament and he was very modest. A true gentleman. With deepest sympathy.
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Emmanuel di Bona - 01/12/00
Very sorry to hear of Robin's death. If there will be a collection or such like, please let me know.
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Gerry & Karen May - 01/12/00
My later to be wife and I brought our first cheap backgammon set in 1992, a cardboard one from a branch of Woolies while we were on holiday. We bought Mr Clay's book Teach Yourself Backgammon the next day to help us make sense of the game. If it wasn't for the book we doubt it's likely we'd ever have fallen in love with the game and played many thousands of games together and with others. That tatty blue covered paperback is a treasured souvenir of our first days together and the source of many happy memories of on and off the boards. We never met him but we knew his name and he gave us some of his love for the great game that means so much to us; for this we are deeply grateful and I'm sure many others would tell a similar story.
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Danny Cohen - 02/12/00
I was sorry to read your latest message about Robin. Are you intending to send flowers from Biba and if so would you like a contribution? Whilst I know it may be premature - a thought which has occurred to me is that you may wish to call the problems/solutions column after Robin and to his memory.
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Michael Shelton - 04/12/00
Really sorry to hear about Robin. As you know, in the Anglo Norwegian, the five point has been designated a "Robin" in folklore and legend. It will be all the more poignant, and, as far as we are concerned, a lasting and genuine tribute to him.
MC: The Anglo Norwegian tournament is one in which Michael and a friend from Norway play every year whilst on holiday in the Greek islands. Whenever either of them make the 5-point it is traditional to say, "One for Robin." This comes from one of Robin's books and Michael has always remembered the advice Robin gave.
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Roy Hollands - 07/12/00
I first met Robin eight years ago when I was a novice at backgammon. He kindly autographed his book 'Teach Yourself Backgammon' and conveyed his great enthusiasm of the game to me.
When I moved to Eastbourne in 1995 Robin and I commenced a weekly contest that must now sadly end. We played well over 10,000 games and thanks to Robin's tutoring we finished winning almost exactly the same number each.
When helping me it was typical of Robin to say 'Do you think it might have been better to hit?' rather than 'You missed an obvious chance to hit'. His clear, but gentle style of instructing marked him out as an excellent teacher.
Never once did we have a cross word or an argument, yet our discussions of positions were always marked by our enthusiasm - and a great deal of merriment.
I will never play another game of backgammon without thinking of my close friend, Robin.
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James Eibisch - 02/12/00
I looked at r.g.b. for the first time in years today and saw this post. I never played Robin but saw him at BIBA tournaments, and got into backgammon with his book "Backgammon in 21 Days".
I'm very sorry to hear this, and wish the best for his family.
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'tweak' - 03/12/00
I'm very sorry to hear this news, Robin's 'Backgammon - winning strategies' was one of the first books I read when I started playing two years ago and I'm saddened that I now won't have the opportunity to meet him - he was clearly a great person to know.
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Steve Pickard - 12/12/00
A gent, and always a pleasure to play. Roy's comment about Robin's "Do you think it might have been better to hit" attitude summed him up very well. He won and lost with equal grace, and will be sadly missed.
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