I am sad to report that earlier this evening, the chess world has just lost Grandmaster Aleks Wojtkiewicz at a young age of 43.
Aleks had won or tied for 1st in the last 5 tournaments that he played in:
2006 Columbus Open
2006 World Open
2006 National Open
2006 Kentucky Open
2006 DC Action Championship
He will be missed by his friends and colleagues.
Aleks was Polish by nationality but he was born in 1963 in the former USSR (Latvia). He was jailed for two years because he refused to join and serve in Soviet Army. When Poland became independent, he moved from Riga to Warsaw where he won two Polish Championships.
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Very sad!
At least he went out at the top of his chess game. RIP.
Wow, what a sad event…He was easily one of the best tournament players i have seen since i have been playing…and many were commenting on his unhealthy look at the world open….is there word as to what exactley he was sick from?
I played Aleks last week in Columbus. I knew he was sick for a long time, and I heard rumors he was VERY VERY sick (which I see now were true).
His last game was against NM Thomas Britt. In mutual time trouble, Aleks unsoundly sacrificed a bishop. Britt captured the wrong way, and Aleks won quickly. We tied for first. He was playing great chess the last 6 months, but it was clear he was not in good health.
I have known Aleks since 1988, and he beat me once in Ostend, Belgium in a very long endgame. Since then we have ALL draws, some short, some long. He was a great player, and all the GMs and IMs and other people who knew him will miss him.
RIP
But doesnt anyone have any idea what type of sickness he died from?
I wouldn’t doubt if it was sclerosis of the liver. Alex was a huge drinker and put away bottle after bottle.
It’s sad to see a colorful individual pass away and it will be a loss to the chess community.
This is very sad news. However, is that a picture of his grandfather?
Looking at earlier photos, it’s hard to believe the recent photos. One consolation in losing today’s great GM’s, is that their games can be enjoyed by chess fans for centuries to come. RIP.
Oh, that is so tragic! I am sorry to hear that. RIP Aleks, and I wish consolation to those who knew him.
He was a player with great understanding and incredible knowledge. He had a fun personality and a good heart, he will surely be very missed by many. Its very sad to hear this news. RIP Aleks
Aleks also won the Gr Philadelphia Open Championship in 2006 and 2005.
– NM Dan Heisman
My heartfealt condolence to his family and friends. I just saw him at the National Open in Las Vegas. He played great games, I enjoyed watching after my games were over. A great loss to American Chess. This is a sad week indeed, my uncle passed away Wednesday.
And over the years he played some
very instructive games in the
Najdorf variation.
Pal Benko wrote in his book that he was jailed for political reasons also.
Rest in Peace GM Wojtkiewicz
it is hard to really accept a person is sick when he is walking around and doing things. but we can be sick and dieing and still walking around. it happens every day.
I must renew myself to be happy today. to be grateful to be alive. to live today with joy and happiness. to live being good to my fellow brothers and sisters.
The ONLY important thing is how much did I love today. nothing else matters.
Mig reports he died of liver problems.
how much better might he have played if he did not drink alcohol. Oh my.
RIP Aleksander…you were a champion to the very end.
He was my teacher for many years. Last week he was giving me lessons and now he is in heaven playing blitz with Tal and talking to his father. I am very sad.
I really miss Alex.
I have such great memories of Alex.
I hope to play a game of chess with Alex when I join him in heaven.
“David set up the board. You can have white in the first game.”
I joined up on this blog just to let you know I am here for you. I bet chess in heaven is even more fun than down here.
Dear Chess Friends,
As Woit’s close friend and attorney of many years, people are asking me about his passing. I have spoken with Woit’s physician and the medical examiner. Woit did not die of liver failure or alcoholism. He died of a perforated intestine, and massive bleeding. If he had been helped sooner, he would have lived. He had lost so much blood by the time the ambulance was called, it was too late to save him. Some people, myself included, have been upset by Woit’s obituary stating he died of liver problems. Woit loved his son Joseph very much and saw him as often as possible.
Finally, Woit was very concerned about his mother and often sent her money to live. It was his dying wish that someone would take care of his mother. Donations for Woit’s mother, Tamara, can be sent to the Alexander Wojtkiewicz Memorial Fund care of Law Offices of Elizabeth Karnazes P.O. Box 4747 Foster City, CA 94404 (650) 345-9200.
Thank-you for your help.
Elizabeth Karnazes
there appears to be some controversy as to how Aleks really died. there are 2 stories: one, that he died from a “perforated intestine” resulting in massive bleeding. The other posted by an IM named Ginsburg and published in Chessbase suggests that, due to very heavy alcohol abuse, Aleks’ liver became dysfunctional. When this happens, it can lead to a build up of blood and fluid in the abdomen (because the liver is unable to process the blood passing through it). The resultant fluid build up can cause intestinal rupture, leading to massive infection, internal bleeding and death.
I’m not sure which of the above is true. However, given the reports of heavy drinking—and seeing the photos of a very pallid and sickly looking Aleks, it is probable he was suffering from early liver failure, with intestinal perforation a secondary event.
It’s important to seek the truth–whatever the case, but we may not know that truth in its entirety unless an autopsy report were posted. I simply present the above scenarios to share with the chess public that which is known about this wonderfully gifted chess player.