Tributes to coronavirus victim and 'remarkable' chess player Cobie Ives

Cobie Ives was born in Groningen, in the Netherlands, in 1923, where she met former Desert Rat Ronnie Ives, who had been stationed in the area with the Army Educational Corps, at a party to welcome in the New Year in 1947.

After travelling to Pontefract to meet his family, the two became engaged, and married at St Michael’s Church, Carleton, on Valentine’s Day 1948.

Inspired by her husband, who was a talented chess player and had a regular column in the Yorkshire Evening Post, Cobie learned to play, and the couple soon began attending chess congresses together.

Mrs Ives was believed to be the first female chess player to represent Yorkshire, and made frequent appearances in the Yorkshire Evening Post, where she was applauded for her “remarkable” skill.

She would later tell her family with amusement that some male players did not like being beaten by a woman, though her husband was always supportive of her success.

In 1954, Ronnie and Cobie moved to Crossgates, Leeds where they welcomed daughters Patricia, Beatrix and Ingrid.

However, tragedy struck in 1964, when Ronnie died of a brain tumour.

Remembering their mother, her daughters said: “Cobie loved homemaking and crafts, being very adept at needlework, crochet, knitting, and cookery.

“She did all her own painting and decorating, even well into her eighties. Her interest in crafts never waned, and she was still crocheting at the age of 90.

“She was an excellent baker and would do a lot of Christmas baking for each of her daughters’ households.

“In later life Cobie enjoyed a life full of visits from children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, being very devoted to all her family.”

Cobie leaves behind three daughters, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.