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Archive for April, 2026

GM Rowson annotates a game from one of Bedfordshire’s best

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess in the 21st century on April 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

It isn’t easy at all to find games where players from Bedfordshire have had their games analysed. But we have one here and it’s from celebrated author, philosopher (he has a Ph.D in wisdom from Oxford University), former British champion Rowson. It comes from his second publication Chess for Zebras. In Chapter 8 Rowson links chess to Taoism amongst other well thought out intentions, and highlights the importance of doing nothing and letting things happen by themselves, a central concept of that religion. It’s high quality analysis and in it you will find that GM Motwani is very complimentary towards his opponent from Bedford, who sadly lost this game. Enjoy -its a great book btw.

M J M

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Hertfordshire v Bedfordshire 1926

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

It does appear that in the early days of our participation in the S.C.C.U we were somewhat out of our depth even though matches between neighbouring county towns and cities were often close.

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Berkshire v Bedfordshire 1926

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 27, 2026| Leave a Comment »

It does need to be pointed out that the county then was not what it is today. There was a very clear north/south divide which would have reflected on team selection. I can confirm that the entirety of the top half of the team (including co-authors of Chess in Bedfordshire) is from the south of the county, the bottom half I cannot comment on. Additionally, take for example the quotation from the same 1926 BCM but earlier in the year.

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Berkshire v Bedfordshire 1927

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

As difficult as it may be, please note that Bedfordshire is referred to as ‘plucky’. The choice of word is based on results, this being our best so far apparently. Bedfordshire was in the process of putting itself on the map still, having only joined the S.C.C.U 4 years previously, and still continuing to attract some of the best players in the world to the county for simuls and talks. You would have thought if strength and depth had beeen there, it would have been reflected in county results, which is not the case as yet, mainly because a league north/south divide remained in operation until 1952. This means that the team chosen at county level was predominantly a south Bedfordshire team, as that is where the power lay.

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Loss to Hampshire

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Bedfordshire suffers a heavy loss to holders Hampshire.

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Corroboration of S. Dickens as county champion

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

On Adrian Elwin’s site about Beds. chess, you may find a list of previous county champions here, Previous County Champions. Evidence that S. Dickens did indeed become county champion in 1927 and 1928 is corroborated below.

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Northampton lose to Luton

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Nothing is said in the BCM about the nature of this match. Northampton joined the Beds. league in the 80s it is often thought. There is no evidence of this happening before then. Furthermore, the Beds. league retained its north/south divide until the mid 50s, which practically rules out the possibility of this being a league match, and is instead a friendly.

*The date of the match is December 10th 1928*

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Heavy loss to Hertfordshire

Posted in History of Bedfordshire Chess from 1920-1940 on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Details below can be found concerning a SCCU match between Bedfordshire and neighbouring Hertfordshire. The match is dated December 3rd 1928.

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Moves I could never play 37

Posted in Moves I could never play on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

FM Gary Kenworthy has been one of the strongest players in the Bedfordshire league for decades. In his youth, many of his games exuded great strength as a player. The game included here is too tactical for me -gambit chess! Gary, rated over 2300, has just played 10. Qh5.

Too hard to calculate for me which means too much courage would be required to play it. I was taught by GM Schebler to play the Scotch 4 knights once but never played the Belgrade Gambit. Very sharp Could you play 10. Qh5? The game can be found below.

https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=2392278

M J M

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Upon Returning to Competitive chess

Posted in Chess on April 26, 2026| Leave a Comment »

Former British champion, and celebrated author, retired GM Rowson offers up his thoughts upon the challenges of returning to competitive chess. Thought provoking indeed and wistful in places.

https://substack.com/@jonathanrowson/note/c-249105686?r=5lwyqf

M J M

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…on what this site initially became…on what this site is now becoming…on what this site cannot become…

On what this site initially became…

…once upon a time, the chess-related musings of an adrift academic were bound playfully and electronically in this online journal of sorts. They grew and grew as the decade did too. I kept on because I love to write whether I had much to say or not; therefore, being read by others was usually of little or no importance, comparatively speaking. Content was based on personal thoughts and experience on various topics with no intended audience borne in mind. With topics broadening, my own take on things always shaped the narrative I constructed: I often thought I was insightful but never that I was right. Sometimes imagination gave rise to originality: and of that I have always remained proud. I often introduced humour, believing that I am funnier than I really am. Sometimes, I found my own style antithetical to the conservatism I believe chess is plagued by -oftentimes that has put a gracious smile on my face… .

On what this site is now becoming…

…this site is now becoming a collaboration of chess in Bedfordshire: much more so of the past than the present -that has become the dominant trend. I document the history of chess in Bedfordshire as much as I can, and as time has passed I have become more thorough and resourceful. However, I am not a trained historian as my background lies principally in philosophy but yes it is true I did study some modules on history as both an undergraduate and a post-graduate too; furthermore, I have trained myself up, particularly in terms of postmodern history. Since 2015, I have only read history and historiography as well as those philosophers who have been so influential on postmodern history, such as Nietzsche (whom I once wrote a 19,000 word dissertation on, entitled: Can the Will to Power be Found in The Birth of Tragedy?), also Richard Rorty and Foucault and I suppose certain structualists such as Claude Levi-Strauss too. Regarding postmodernism, mostly I keep to Hayden White, Keith Jenkins and Alan Muslow.

Some friends and former playing partners back home describe me as the ‘go to guy’ for the history of chess in Bedfordshire. This compliment says more about the lack of interest in the subject than my own endeavour. As mentioned, I am too adrift from academia to feel chuffed by it. Rather, I tend to lament that my historical research, like my chess, just isn’t what it should be. Even though I may well have a broad understanding of Bedfordshire chess history courtesy of the volume of research put into it, all of which began in 2014, this is not something I am particularly proud of. Nonetheless, out of courtesy compliments are graciously received. If the truth be told, I just see it as my job and only that – after all someone’s got to do it and no one else is that interested!

Amongst the many others, I have created three categories: ‘Bedfordshire Chess’ and ‘History of Bedfordshire Chess’ and ‘Luton Chess Club’. This website is slowly moving towards a consolidation of those (all of which can be found in one of the toolbars to the right).

On what this site cannot become…

…I like to be both creative and amusing when I can be, factor in that playfulness has been an ever-present factor, the content of this site should be thought of as multifarious. It could be said I continue to enjoy undermining the conservatism I believe chess is underpinned by even after all these years, and often try to use humour to do it still, believing I have got better at it. Consequently, despite the general direction its going in, this site cannot only be about Chess in Bedfordshire and nor will it be. It may become noted for that yes -in fact that’s been the case for years already even by established historians, archivists, and whoever else. External factors aside, this site is titled McCreadyandChess. I cannot, nor will I not, remove my own personal thoughts and experiences of chess from the posts of this site -especially if I think they are funny or original for they constitute my writing at its very, very best. In addition, the number of categories alone tells you that breadth of content is important to me. I am proud of my site, it is identity conferring and that is how it shall stay -end of story. All you really have are: ‘Some thoughts on the beautiful game’, which, incidentally, just happen to be my very own; nothing more, nothing less, take of it whatever you please… .

Mark. J. McCready

9.56 pm Monday, October 28th 2024

Bangkok, Thailand
Categories
Posts which McCready is mighty pleased with

Malpractice — Replete with dark humour and literary devices

Bedfordshire Chess in the 70s its past and its future — Local History

Our Clash of Future Champions — Local History

Fond Memories of Bedfordshire Chess — Humour & Reflection

Bedfordshire Outfoxed -Local History

Reflections 20— Reflection & Warm Condolence

Reflections 17 — Colourful reflections from afar
Luton & The University of Bedfordshire Chess Club
The University of Bedfordshire Library, Vicarage St. Luton
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Tuesdays from 7.30 pm, The Library, Ground Floor

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A side note on how to read old Tom Sweby's columns
Not perhaps, but quintessentially, Old Tom Sweby is best thought of as a passionate devotee to the newspapers he wrote for. He was well read and knowledgeable of the Bedfordshire chess scene and well beyond, given that he was the president of the S.C.C.U. once upon a time. He was generally well-respected and rubbed shoulders with many, if not all, of those eminent within British chess circles. It would, however, be a critical mistake to see his column is primary source material entirely. That it is not. You will also find secondary source material quoted too, and the reliability of that is not quite as Tom hoped. Given that he wrote for decades, this is to some degree inevitable, and after all we are all prone to error whether we realize it or not. Thankfully, with regards to old Tom Sweby, they are infrequent and for the most part old Tom continued to document events and developments in the Bedfordshire league from the get go as best he could but, of course, everything lies open to interpretation. Despite this, and generally speaking. this does indeed make him informative and thus worth reading. Dare I say his columns constitute a narrative describing the latest developments, match reports and changing nature of the Beds league...he knew his audience and wrote according. This manifested itself over decades but brevity was always in play courtesy of the restictions imposed by writing a column. Should you wish to read a in instrumental figure of the Beds' league post WW2, you are quite welcome to peruse what has been posted here... . :-) I should, however, point out that as the decades wore on he gradually moved on away from narratives concerning the Bedfordshire league towards affairs both historical and international. The reasons for this are multifarous, old age was a predominante factor presumably, however, the bottom line is with regards to how the Bedfordshire chess scene developed post WW2: old Tom Sweby is your go to guy. He wrote more about chess in Bedforshire than anyone else did but given he was a Lutonian and writing for a Luton newspaper there is both bias and greater coverage of his hometown than the rest of the county.
Gallery

I’m either 10 or 11 here

1982, myself versus Brian from Sunderland.

At the Thai Junior chess championships. My daughter of course.

Pattaya 2011

2011

Thai Junior Championships

2008

2011

Around 2011

2011

Pattaya 2009

2011

Kuwait 2008

2012

2012

2011 BKK Chess club

2011

2011 Thai Open

2011 Thai Open

2013 approx

Around 2014

2010

2012

Around 2011

2011

2011

2013

Around 2011

Around 2011

2020

2011

2008

2011

2013 or thereabouts

2010

2017

2014?

2010

2024

2024

2024
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