They’re usually so docile, chess players, with their pasty skin, skinny necks, elbow patches and eyeglasses. And then came Simon Andrews, 61, of Fairless Hills, Philadelphia. No Bobby Fischer is Andrews, nor was his opponent, 56-year-old Jerome Kowalski. Apparently, Andrews took his game just as seriously, because during his last match with Kowalski, he rose from the table, walked to his bedroom and returned with a knife. He then stuck the knife into Kowalski’s neck.

According to Assistant District Attorney David Zellis, police were called to the scene by an eyewitness, but arrived too late to resuscitate Kowalski. Andrews was sent to hospital to be treated for a cut he received during the brief struggle Kowalski managed to put up. He’ll be tried on weapons charges and criminal homicide.

» Scott Saxon