1. How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing chess ever since I was 7 years old, playing against computers and against my dad

2. Who taught you how to play?

My dad had taught me to play. And was a big role for the devotion I feel now.

3. When did you get your first chess set?

I’ve been using the same chess set my dad had before I was even born.

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

I prefer playing as white as I get to decide how the game would play out with that one extra tempo I get.

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

I’d say I’m quite competent but still around intermediate level. My current goal is to work on my weaknesses by practicing consistently.

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

My practice isn’t driven by motivation but by genuine enjoyment. I love experimenting with new openings and analyzing my games. This curiosity keeps me engaged and eager to improve.

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

I aim for more than one game a day online to remain sharp.

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

I prefer to play over the board as you get to ask questions after the game and understand your errors.

9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

The most memorable game for me was the first one I lost after joining BCC. I came in confident, with no losses under my belt, only to realize there’s always a bigger fish.

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

I admire Garry Kasparov not only for him being the champion for 15 years but for his powerful writing and insights into chess and politics.

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

Most definitely the Scotch Game, even got a poster of it on my wall.

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

Don’t get frustrated if nothing’s going to plan, chess is for everybody, you’ll get there.

1. How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve known how to play for 6-7 years

2. Who taught you how to play?

My Dad

3. When did you get your first chess set?

When I was 8 or 9 years old

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

White – allows you to choose the opening

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

My current ability is probably around the advanced intermediate level

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

Sometimes I don’t practice, I’m either motivated or not and that decides whether I practice or not.

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

10-15

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

Over the board

9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

The games at Eton School with Bourne Grammar Chess Team. It’s the annual rapid play tournament they hold.

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

Gukesh

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

The London system

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

Learn the basics before jumping to play games. Do the puzzles on chess.com to develop your understanding.

Bingo at the Bourne Chess Club with star host Tom calling the numbers.

Welcome along to our bingo night on Thursday 31/7/25 7-9pm.  Lots of prizes to be won including cash.

Come and see how bingo is supposed to be done, with our “professional” caller Tom on the mic. All proceeds go to Bourne Chess Club. We welcome bingo players from Bourne to come and support our chess club, have a laugh with Tom and maybe even win a cash prize.

We will be playing a variety of games on the night, with differing prize money. Entry on the door is £5 and cards are £2 each. You receive a free wine or beer on entry and please bring your own drinks (no food). (Teas/coffees/snacks sold seperately).  Whopping cash prize for our snowball game!

Wake House – the Baxter Room.  Enquiries: bournechessclub@gmail.com

1. How long have you been playing chess?

I’ve been playing for nearly 3 years

2. Who taught you how to play?

I learned watching GM Daniel Naroditsky on YouTube

3. When did you get your first chess set?

My dad got me and my brother a chess set for Christmas

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

I prefer to play as white

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

I consider myself somewhere between intermediate and advanced, with the long term goal of making the National Master title

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

I just love chess and can’t stop thinking about it so I don’t need to try to motivate myself, I just want to play/practice all day! I do find splitting my study time between openings, endgames, middle games and puzzles helps keep my passion fresh.

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

I play chess for about an hour a day, often doing puzzle rush or playing blitz when I’m not seriously studying.

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

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9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

My most memorable game was my first game for the Bourne Chess Club because it was a very long game and I felt like it was my best game I’ve played, and I won convincingly against an opening I used to struggle against.

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

My favourite player is GM Daniel Naroditsky because he has a great YouTube channel and we both did a degree in history!

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

My favourite opening is playing against the Sicilian defence as white.

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

My advice would be to always focus on enjoying chess, otherwise you’ll never stick to it long term, so learn openings you enjoy, try to play as much as possible, and learn the endgame first!

Looking for something to do over the summer holidays? Bourne Chess Club is opening its doors to the public with a free taster session on Thursday 24/07/2025

Come along and play some fun chess in a relaxing environment.  This could be the best place for you to make new friends and enjoy a thriving club in Bourne. All ages and ability are welcome.  Teas/coffees are free, parking is free. Doors open 6.30pm until 9.30pm

1. How long have you been playing chess?

Age 10

2. Who taught you how to play?

My dad, he would play me with his back to the board without his queen and win every time. Didn’t play for 40 years after that!

3. When did you get your first chess set?

About 15 years ago

4. Do you prefer to play as white or black?

Either

5. How would you describe your current ability and what is your goal?

I still consider myself a beginner ( I only started playing seriously August 2024) I have played 32 games since then and have a rating of 1462 which I think is probably pretty accurate

6. How do you motivate yourself to practice?

At  my age (67) I have a lot of catching up to do! If anything I have to make myself stop practicing too much, it’s the quality rather than the quantity, I try to do an hour or so a day

7. How many games do you play in a typical week?

I try to play 3 timed longer games a week

8. Do you prefer to play chess online or over the board?

OTB every time!

9. What’s the most memorable game you have had so far?

My first evening at a chess club (after finally getting the courage up to do it) I had no idea of my level but I managed a draw and a couple of wins in blitz games against 1700 rated players. They were only friendly games (and I think they were being kind) but it gave me loads of confidence to continue

10. Who do you most admire as a chess player?

Magnus and maybe Capablanca

11. Do you have a favourite opening?

Stonewall systems

12. What advice would you give to anyone starting to play the game?

Enjoy your chess! Play the time controls and openings that you like and try to do a few puzzles each day