What do we do with a hot summer Sunday in south London? Laze around in Greenwich with little to do or go down to Trafalgar Square and enjoy the company of friends and the Chessfest?
I went to it 3 years ago and was suitably impressed; Trafalgar Square is a part of London I have grown to love as the national gallery is there, and I have much time for that place, and when the chessfest rolls into town it has even more to offer. The hatched plan was to meet friend and 2100 player Mark Ruston, then play against GM Adams in a simul and this I did. I was not deterred from GM Adams being the greatest English chess player of all time! But it must be said, I have only played competitive chess once in 10 years and I don’t play online anymore, so I didn’t perform too well against both of the aforementioned…in fact it was pretty bad! Thankfully, it still remained pleasant all round despite the blazing sun and my less than impressive performances. Mark said I should blame it on the sun. Well it was 30C today and I had to leave by 3.30pm because I was already sunburnt. I saw GM Speelman, GM Adams, GM Sadler, IM Pein, GM Royal, IM Martin, and WIM Bodhana. I spoke to GM Adams, GM Sadler, GM Speelman, and IM Martin. I am happy to say, the most courteous and nicest to talk to was GM Adams. Below are pictures from the position in my game, it was a French Defence by transposition. The last picture shows writing aids 🙂
Chessfest 1: quick scan of the scene including position for my game against Mark.
Video Chessfest 2 shows GM Speelman and GM Sadler.
WIM Bodhana and great celebrations.
Chessfest 4 GM Salder teaches chess to kids
Chessfest 4: me against GM Adams. Yes that is grey haired me wondering what to do.
Chessfest 5: video full of misery and sunburn -discretionary viewing advised
M J M
McCreadyandChess 