Ginger GM

Biography

I learnt how to play chess around the age of 6. My Dad taught me how to push the pieces but I expect that I was more interested in throwing them around the room at that age.

I was lucky to have come from a family who already had close connections with the chess world. My Dad was around 200 ECF rating and had played in many tournaments from an early age and my oldest brother Tony had managed to draw with the current world champion, Karpov in a 6 board simul. If I remember correctly most of the other players in the simul later became Grandmasters. One such player was Nigel Short.

My brother Tony was a strong 200 ECF rated player. My sister Kim had also managed to draw with the current European champion, unfortunately she passed away at an early age. In fact the only family member who had not picked up the chess board was Paul my other brother.

From an early age my parents taxied me around to various Wey Valley junior tournaments. My Dad would also take me along to an adult chess club night once a week. I can vaguely remember enjoying the smokey environment and the late nights.

I also started to learn the game better whilst being amused by the rumblings of a certain old gentleman who would speak to himself whilst pondering what move to play. My early clubs included Fleet, Woking, Farnham and Guildford.

The openings that I play now can be traced back to my Dad and the openings that he used to play. He taught me the Classical Dutch, French and the English.

I got my first International rating at the Hastings chess tournament it was published at 2255 which was not bad for a 12 year old.

One memory I have around this time was losing to Timothy Spanton to a back rank checkmate. He then published a short article on how easy it was for patzers (weak players) to get a International rating using my game as an example (it was an awful game!), this spurred me on to improve more!

Around the age of 12 to 14 I started to get invitations to various events which included various European Championships and the Smith and Williamson young masters. The European and World Chess Championships were common events for me up to the age of 21. I got my International Master title at the age of 16.

I took me a while to get the Grandmaster title which eventually came when I was 27.
I had taken some time out to Study Philosophy and Cognitive Studies at Sussex University for four years and after this I concentrated on coaching. I taught at various schools around the Surrey area; to name some: Cranleigh Prep and Cranleigh main, St.Peters Farnham, St. Polycarps Farnham, Williams Cobbet Farnham, St. Thomas Guildford.

I also coached various individuals of different ages and walks of life. My yongest pupil being 6 years old and the oldest being 72.

One pupil of mine, Christopher Hinchcliff, went on to become the Gigafinal (best player in Britain) under 9 champion. Another pupil I used to teach is now a quiz expert on BBC 2′s Eggheads program! As you can see a diverse range of people.

I have written various articles for magazines and currently I have 4 books published which you glance at in the shop section.

You can see some of my favourite games on this website.

Achievements

Age
6	Learnt the game
10	Managed to beat my Dad in one lucky encounter
12	Received an International rating of 2255 Won British Junior Squad Under 12 Championships
14	Finished 16 in European Under 14 Championships
16	Received International Master title Played top board for England in World Team Under 16 Championships
17	Finished 7th in European Under 18 Championships Wrote off my first car…
24	Finished 2nd in British Chess Championships
26	1st in British Speed Chess Championships
27	Received Grandmaster Title
28	3rd in British Chess Championship