We lost a pillar in the Maryland chess community when David “Pawnmaster” McDuffie died on Friday, August 24.
Through the RFC Chess Academy and the Baltimore Freedom Academy, Pawnmaster worked with schools, churches, libraries, and summer camps to promote chess throughout Baltimore. He had a genuine love for children and a passion for the game that he was committed to sharing with them. In fact, he died just 9 days after teaching a session of chess camp through the BELL after-school program. Moreover, he served local and state chess as a frequent tournament director and an MCA Board member. Many will recall him fondly as a regular at Fells Point Chess, where he played most of his 352 tournaments since 1991.
David's funeral will be held at noon on Saturday, September 1 at:
Friendship Baptist Church
402 Clinton Street
Buffalo, NY 14204
Funeral arrangements are being handled by:
Thomas T. Edwards Funeral Home
995 Genesee Street
Buffalo, NY 14211
We’ll miss him.
The MCA Board
MCA David W. McDuffie Memorial Scholastic 2013 will be held in his honor at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute & Western High School on February 23, 2013.