AOctober 01 1981
The San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco, California, Thursday, October 01, 1981
Irving Chernev
Memorial services were held this morning for author and chess master Irving Chernev, who died here Tuesday. He was 81.
Mr. Chernev was the author of “Invitation to Chess” and 17 other volumes credited with popularizing the game in this country.
A native of Odesa, Ukraine, who came to the U.S. in 1905 and spent most of his life in New York, where he managed a family paper business and engaged in chess tournaments and national championships, Mr. Chernev came to San Francisco in 1967.
A witty, well-traveled person, he lectured and gave exhibitions and continued to produce what critics acclaimed as lively classics in chess literature.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Selma, a son, Melvin and a daughter, Amy.
