| Henry Camilleri | |
| Country: | Malta |
| Birth Date: | 21 February 1933 |
| Birth Place: | Marsa, Malta |
| Death Date: | 2015 |
| International Correspondence Chess Master (IM) | |
Henry Camilleri (21 February 1933 – 2015) was a Maltese chess International Correspondence Chess Master (IM), eighteen-times Maltese Chess Championship winner: first in 1965 and last in 2005, at the age of 72.
Henry Camilleri won his first championship in 1950, at the age of 17.[1] It was the Malta Junior Chess Championship.[2]
Henry Camilleri won his first Maltese Chess Championship title in 1965. He won the Maltese Chess Championship eight consecutive times between 1965 and 1972, which is a record in this championship. He then won a title in 1974, then another four consecutive times from 1976 to 1979 inclusive. In 1981, he was again titled but shared his title with Joseph Gauci. Later, he will again win this title twice in a row, in 1989 and 1990. He will win his 17th title in 1999, interrupting the series of six consecutive titles of Timothy Mifsud. Finally, in 2005, he won his last title at the age of 72.[3]
Henry Camilleri played for Malta in the Chess Olympiads:[4]
In 1967, 1969, 1978 and 1990 Henry Camilleri represented Malta in World Chess Championships European Zonal tournaments. He invariably took the last places, but regularly took points from famous chess players. In the 1967 tournament he defeated Nikolay Minev and Victor Ciocâltea, in the 1969 tournament he made draws with Lajos Portisch, László Bárczay and Robert Hartoch.[5]
Henry Camilleri was also the only Maltese titled chess player, at least until his death. He was awarded the ICCF International Correspondence Chess Master (IM) title.