Ashton Community Chess Club

Sam

Background & How You Started

• How did you first learn to play chess? (e.g., from a family member, a friend, a book, online)

When I was a kid my parents bought me a chess computer. It was a Kasparov branded travel set, and the pieces were like little pegs that you'd place into the squares. It wouldn't let you make an illegal move, so I learned how to play by trial and error using the computer.

• How old were you when you played your first game?

I'd say probably around 8.

• Were you part of a chess club or team in school or college?

No, I didn't play chess at all at school. It wasn't really something that was around or accessible - we played computer games and pool! After getting the chess computer I didn't play at all until my 30's when my son picked up the game from his granddad.

• How long have you been playing chess in total? Have you played consistently, or were there periods where you took a break?

I created a chess.com account in February 2021, so I've been playing for 5 years at the time of writing. I played my first OTB rated classical game in May 2024.

• Who are your favourite players (past or present), and have they influenced your own style?

I've looked at Paul Morphy games and they've influenced my play - I am quite conscious of time in the opening, and aim for quick development. But I like games which are a slow grind rather than with knockout tactics.

Motivations & Preferences

• What is your primary motivation for playing chess? (e.g., mental challenge, social aspect, competition, fun)

My eldest son is particularly keen on chess so the idea is to be part of the journey and spend time together. I also like the idea of being away from screens and practicing focus because the world is increasingly connected.

• Do you prefer competitive games (tournaments, league matches) or casual friendly games?

Competitive games, especially league matches. The slow time control and stakes helps me get focused, and lessons from these longer battles stay in my mind better. I also like tournaments, but these can get quite tiring compared to a single game.

• What time controls do you enjoy the most? (e.g., blitz, rapid, classical)

Classical. These feel higher stakes because you've invested a lot of time. Plus the quality of the games you can produce are higher with more time.

• How would you describe your personal style of play? (e.g., aggressive, positional, tactical, defensive)

I would describe it as "variable" - being capable of some good chess at times, but also some really terrible blunders, more than I would like.

• What is your favourite part about being a member of the club?

Well I quite like looking over the master games with Dave, and the league matches. I also like seeing the kids learn and grow. Plus there are all sorts of different people at the club, which I like.

• What are your goals in chess right now? (e.g., improve your rating, learn a new opening, meet new people)

I've set myself a rating goal to get to 1550 chess.com by the end of the year. The plan is to play one rapid game each day and keep a list of my mistakes, then target learning at the weaknesses I can find. I will also play at least 40 classical games this year and go over them.

Engagement & Other Interests

• Do you study chess outside of playing games? If so, what is your primary mode of training (e.g., books, online puzzles, analyzing games)?

Yes - books, chessable, analyzing games. I am quite careful to choose material that is rating appropriate.

• What are your favourite chess resources? (e.g., books, websites, YouTube channels)

Logical Chess Move by Move - Chernev

Chess: the Art of Logical Thinking - McDonald

Chess: 5334 Problems, Combinations and Games - Polgar

• Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of chess?

I like hiking and running.

• What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting at the club?

Play a game against a stronger player and ask them what they were thinking during the game.

• How did you first learn to play chess? (e.g., from a family member, a friend, a book, online)

A wonderful teacher in my Primary School (St Paul’s Primary in Royton), Mrs Wright, introduced us to the wonderful game of chess at the age of 8. Several of us took to the game well and we began challenging other local schools in area with plenty of success.

• How old were you when you played your first game?

The first game I have with notation was from 1978, when I was 10 years old. This was representing the Oldham Town Team. My first congress (Rochdale) and my first Manchester League games for 3cs were in 1980 when I was 11 years old.

• Were you part of a chess club or team in school or college?

We had a chess club in Primary school, and I joined newly formed 3cs, 2 years later.

• How long have you been playing chess in total? Have you played consistently, or were there periods where you took a break?

I have been playing for nearly 50 years, started at 8 and I have reached the ripe old age of 57. The only break I had from chess was between 2004 and 2011, coinciding with the early years of my two daughters. Couldn’t cope with both activities at that time! My teenage years was a lot of congresses (some tournament wins) – happy to play weekend events away or one day rapid play until the exams kicked in. Did enjoy the opportunity to play the under 14 British Championships in 1983 at Southport. I was happy with 6 out of 11!

• Who are your favourite players (past or present), and have they influenced your own style?

Back when I was early teenager I used to love playing at Blackpool, it was wonderful to see all the top players in the Open which I had never seen before. I would always go watching the top boards when I could and would always look out for Tony Miles (who was a bit of a character if I remember rightly) and Nigel Short (both I managed to get an autograph from). Unlike many players I don’t really follow the top players now or even have a favourite. I do like to see players stepping out of their comfort zone and not playing it safe.

• What is your primary motivation for playing chess? (e.g., mental challenge, social aspect, competition, fun)

These days I play to keep my hand in but my motivation these days is tutoring, I love to help people learn and improve their game. My return to chess in 2011 was running an after-school chess club at my daughter’s school. Several years followed working for Chess in Schools in various Primary Schools – the buzz for me was getting kids who struggled in school, interested in something – sometimes outside of school in competitions at weekends. I play to check on their progress not for personal gain. I do enjoy the competition of league chess though. For a short while I brought chess to my main Probation job. I tutored offenders for a project called HOPE (Help outside the Prison Environment) – challenging but enjoyable – some of them joined a Chess-Boxing group. Unfortunately, as with these things sadly the funding ran out. I also set up a chess club on a cruise to the Canary Islands a few years ago, I had 8 to 10 turn up and they loved the coaching – I even made it onto the daily cruise itinerary!

• Do you prefer competitive games (tournaments, league matches) or casual friendly games?

These days League chess is my preference, I rarely enter tournaments – team progress rather than individual progress is more my thing these days. I love a casual game away from club when someone tells you

• What time controls do you enjoy the most? (e.g., blitz, rapid, classical) I crave the old days of just classical and rapid. These ideas of making the game quicker and quicker, blitz, bullet etc and all the different chess variants really does nothing for me. I don’t think this helps the kid’s development – we tell them to slow down, think about their moves and then they get enticed by these forms of the game. Many take so long to win the battle of the clock. Same as what they have done to the game of cricket!!! People want instant success.

• How would you describe your personal style of play? (e.g., aggressive, positional, tactical, defensive)

Despite my many years playing the game I have really been one for studying a wide range of openings. I know a few well and the basics of quite a lot of others. I come into my own in the middle game. I love to take players out of their comfort zone, away from their repertoire. If I can get to the middle game having achieved this my record is decent with aggressive play.

• What is your favourite part about being a member of the club?

My favourite part these days are helping our talented group of youngsters. I love nothing better than seeing them enjoy their chess and wanting to improve. I love playing for the team

• What are your goals in chess right now? (e.g., improve your rating, learn a new opening, meet new people)

Stop my rating going down, the social aspect and find a new magical opening that league players can’t cope with.

• Do you study chess outside of playing games? If so, what is your primary mode of training (e.g., books, online puzzles, analyzing games)?

Not these days, love an interesting game that pops up on my social media and a good puzzle, but I don’t go looking for them.

• What are your favourite chess resources? (e.g., books, websites, YouTube channels)

Will watch interesting GM/IMs present different openings variations against main lines but again only when they pop up on my Facebook, X accounts or through Youtube. Again, no favourites, maybe Eric Rosen.

• Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of chess?

Outside of chess I love football, I run a website-based Fantasy Football League which is great fun. I also love horse racing – I have shares in 3 horses. Both, also test my analytical brain. I have a degree in Applied Statistics, so these are right up my street.

• What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting at the club

Turn up regularly, play different people, listen and ask for advice off more experienced players. More often than not they will go out of their way to help you.

Steve

• How did you first learn to play chess? (e.g., from a family member, a friend, a book, online)

I was shown the basic moves by a cousin then my father had a friend who played chess at work so I got to go round once a week to his house to play and learn the game properly and in more depth (a bit like the Queen's Gambit series on Television).

I also learnt from a Ukrainian friend who introduced me to 'Eastern European' games.

Plenty of tea and biscuits were consumed! The chess books came somewhat later and my parents bought me a chess computer.

• How old were you when you played your first game?

I was ten years old for my first game.

• Were you part of a chess club or team in school or college?

I was a member of the chess club at secondary school and won my first competition there.

• How long have you been playing chess in total? Have you played consistently, or were there periods where you took a break?

I have been playing chess for fifty years consistently, entering competitions here and there.

• Who are your favourite players (past or present), and have they influenced your own style?

My favourite players are Nigel Short, who I played against in a simultaneous display some years ago in Ashton, Bobby Fischer, Karpob, Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen (The GOAT).

• What is your primary motivation for playing chess? (e.g., mental challenge, social aspect, competition, fun)

My primary motivation for playing chess is the mental challenge - it focuses my mind and keeps the grey matter ticking over.

I think with the televised series of the master game in the 1970’s and 1980’s only increased my passion and interest of the game.

More recently The Queens Gambit and Chess Masters The Endgame keeps me wishing there was more chess broadcast on Television.

• Do you prefer competitive games (tournaments, league matches) or casual friendly games?

I prefer tournaments and league matches because I can challenge my knowledge and skill of the game.

• What time controls do you enjoy the most? (e.g., blitz, rapid, classical)

I enjoy rapid and classical forms of chess because it is more structured. Blitz is too fast a game for me.

• How would you describe your personal style of play? (e.g., aggressive, positional, tactical, defensive)

My personal style of play is defensive, whilst looking for opportunities to see a weakness in my opponents play.

• What is your favourite part about being a member of the club?

My favourite part about being a member of the club is inclusion with like minded individuals, contributing and helping on club and match nights which has improved my game.

• What are your goals in chess right now? (e.g., improve your rating, learn a new opening, meet new people)

My goals right now are to hopefully improve my rating and gain a regular place in one of the teams. Meeting and helping new people and continuous improvement.

• Do you study chess outside of playing games? If so, what is your primary mode of training (e.g., books, online puzzles, analyzing games)?

I regularly play online on Chess.com. I like puzzles and the odd analysis of games, especially at the club where some of my games have made the big screen!

• What are your favourite chess resources? (e.g., books, websites, YouTube channels)

My favourite chess resources are books, websites and watching old and new streamers on YouTube channels - anything chess related.

• Do you have any interests or hobbies outside of chess?

Outside of chess I like the majority of sports - my favourite being football, rugby league, snooker and darts. I enjoy travelling and eating out with family and friends.

• What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting at the club

The main piece of advice I would give would be enjoy the interaction with all ranges of chess players and embrace the help and support of the more experienced players to develop your game.