Condolence: My deepest sympathy to the family of Erik Karklins.I witnessed his fighting spirit and love for the game of chess,as he did battle in the Chicago Open at age 95!I read in an article in "Chesslife"about him that he "loved the beauty of the game" and that is why he had kept on playing all these years.I feel the same way.Rest in peace Mr.Karklins,you are an inspiration to chess players and anyone else who commits to their passion for a lifetime.Thankyou.

Condolence: Erik Karklins is my most treasured memory of Chicago Chess. I played Erik Karklins two chess games both ending in draws, the first in 1974 at the Northern Illinois Open at the Gaslight Lounge on Halstead and the second in 2007 at the Illinois Open. I could tell I was in the presence of greatness in both games. Between 1974 and 2007 I remember seeing Erik Karklins and Andrew Karklins together at many events. They were inseparable. May Erik rest in peace and God be with him.