Alexander Conel Hugh O’donel (19.04.1909 – 15.02.1974)

Irish-born British International Master (1950) and International Correspondence Master (1970). Winner of  the British Championship in 1938 and 1956.

During World War II he was part of the British Government Code and Cypher Code along with other English chess masters who helped break the German Enigma Code. He was prohibited from travelling to any country under Soviet control or influence during his lifetime because of his association with cryptography. He was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his wartime services.

The Winner at Hasting 1946-47.
He is the author of Alekhine’s Best Games of Chess 1938-45, Fischer-Spassky 1972, A Book of Chess 1973 and Alexander on Chess. 1974.  He was also he chess columnist of The Sunday Times in the 1960s and 1970s.
Botvinnik said in 1975: “Alexander was a real paladin, sans peur et sans reproche, and he played a prominent role in the development of the British chess.”

Alexander is a supporting character in the 2014 film The Imitation Game, portrayed by actor Matthew Goode.

Historical ELO: 2475.

After the game, Botvinnik cabled: Congratulations on victory. Tou exploited my mistake on the 21st move well indeed.