New Zealand chess great Sue Maroroa Jones has died aged 32, with family mourning a “cherished mother” and chess players around the world remembering a great talent.
Her husband, chess grandmaster Gawain Jones, announced the death in a social media post.
He described her as an “incredible and cherished mother”, beloved wife, daughter, and sister
“She leaves behind a loving family who will miss her greatly,” he said.
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Tributes from around the world were flooding in online – from her family, friends, the chess world and from rugby teammates.
British chess player, international master Malcolm Pein, said the news was “dreadfully sad”, coming not long after the birth of Maroroa Jones’ second child, Daniel.
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Sue Maroroa Jones’ family believe she may have been the first female Pasifika chess play to represent New Zealand internationally.
New Zealand Chess Federation president Nigel Metge told the NZ Herald the death came as shock.
“It’s a loss on many levels, a woman who had done well here and then … flourishing overseas and just suddenly taken from us.”
Bill Forster from the New Zealand Chess Federation described Maroroa Jones as “an intuitive player, eschewing deep study but excelling at attack, tactics, and fast time controls”.
Speaking from “extensive experience”, Forster said even intelligent and well-educated opponents were no match for Maroroa Jones: the chances were “you’d be put to the sword in double quick time”.
Ross Giblin/Stuff
Sue Maroroa Jones is survived by her husband Gawain Jones and their two children Samaria and Daniel.
He said she made an impact on the New Zealand chess community early, coming from a family of keen players. She first played at Auckland’s Papatoetoe club, then Howick, and the Auckland Chess Centre.
In a statement to Stuff, Maroroa Jones’ family said she became a chess player by accident at 10, when her father, Temu, unexpectedly had to take her and brother Andrew with him to the Auckland Chess Centre.
There, a club member noticed Maroroa Jones “looking bored” and asked if she knew how to play, “resulting in Sue’s first step in her chess career”.
Only a year later, was selected for the New Zealand Women’s Olympiad team for Bled 2002.
Her achievements included becoming joint NZ Junior Champion in 2008, earning three FIDE [The International Chess Federation] titles; Woman Candidate Master in 2005, Woman FIDE Master in 2007, Woman international Master in 2009, and played for New Zealand in five consecutive Olympiads from 2002 until 2010.
Maroroa Jones’ family believe she may have been the first Pasifika woman to represent New Zealand internationally in chess.
“A proud Kiwi, Sue also acknowledged her Chinese-Malaysian and Cook Island background growing up in South Auckland.”
She moved to England after marrying Gawain Jones, Forster said. There, she helped to manage his career so he could focus on chess.
Forster said although she had played less in recent times, her immense unfulfilled potential was always apparent when she did play.
London’s Hammersmith Chess Club said it was a day of mourning, after losing someone who was a dear friend to many.
“She was… an inspiration on and off the board. Words cannot do a situation like this justice.”
In a tribute from Sheffield Rugby Union Football Club, Emily Glendenning said Maroroa Jones was never without a smile – and a tin of delicious home baking.
She played for the club for five seasons, joining in 2015, before retiring to have her first child in June 2020.
”Typical of any New Zealander, Sue was passionate about rugby. She was a determined back rower who loved causing a nuisance at the breakdown.”
She was a development officer and Captain of the Roses, and helped to grow women’s rugby by “being an incredibly welcoming and friendly face to all newcomers”.
“Sue formed lasting friendships with her teammates and will be greatly missed by everyone.”
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Maroroa Jones’ family said she loved to travel, and her early success in chess gave her the opportunity to see the world.
She is survived by her husband Gawain Jones and their two children.
“A dedicated mother to Samaria and Daniel, she always wanted to be a mum and was excited for the arrival of each of her children,” Maroroa Jones’ family said.
The cause of her death is yet to be determined.
Maroroa Jones also loved baking and sharing her baked goods with friends and family.
“You could always find nice pastries or cakes in her home kitchen.”
She was described as a “charismatic person who was willing to help anyone”.
“Sue’s friends appreciated her encouraging nature, seen as the ‘mum figure’ who offered advice the way mums do.
“Sue was well-loved by many, her death was a complete shock and is a heavy loss for her husband, kids, family, friends and everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed.”