Jonathan Penrose (born 7 October 1933) is a prominent figure in the world of chess, known for being the first British chess player to defeat a reigning world champion. He achieved his Grandmaster title in 1993 and also holds the status of International Correspondence Chess Grandmaster.
Born in Colchester, England, Penrose is a part of an intellectual family with noteworthy members who have excelled in the fields of psychology and academia. His academic pursuits, particularly in the field of psychology, have greatly influenced his approach to the game.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Penrose dominated the British Chess scene, winning the British Chess Championship a record ten times between 1958 and 1969. He made significant accomplishments in international competitions, such as the Chess Olympiads, where he achieved an impressive cumulative score.
His prominent wins include a sensational game against former World Chess Champion, Mikhail Tal, in 1960, and World Chess Champion, Anatoly Karpov, in 1970. However, Penrose had to retire from professional chess in the early 1970s due to his struggles with mental and physical exhaustion during tournaments.
Post-retirement, Penrose remained involved in chess through teaching the game and promoting it in schools. He also produced a substantial body of work, writing numerous articles and papers on chess. His contributions to the sport were recognized when he was honored with the President’s Award for Chess Excellence by the English Chess Federation.
However, Penrose also faced personal challenges. He was born deaf in one ear, and later in life, he had a significant loss of hearing in his other ear. Despite these setbacks, Penrose's chess skills continued to improve, and he remains a much-respected figure in the world of chess today.