(Cecil John Seddon) Purdy AM (27 March 1906[1] – 6 November 1979) was an Australian chess player and writer.

[2] When he was a child, Purdy moved with his family to New Zealand, and then to Tasmania, Australia, before they settled in Sydney when he was 12, where he was educated at Cranbrook School.

In Auckland in 1952, Purdy drew a hard-fought match with Ortvin Sarapu, at the time by far the best player in New Zealand.

John Purdy followed in his father's (and grandfather's) footsteps in winning the Australian Chess Championship in 1955 and 1963.

He was survived by his wife, daughter and son John, who twice won the Australian Chess Championship.