Around the hero everything becomes a tragedy; around the demigod everything becomes a satyr-play; and around God everything becomes–what? perhaps a “world”? Nietzsche Beyond Good and Evil 150
Dual purpose intentions in play here; firstly, to challenge the demi-gods of Bedfordshire chess past because they challenge me (only so historically), secondly, to give myself real purpose to play on, to play meaningful chess if you like…
First up, a certain Peter Gayson. Dunstable’s first resident to play board 1 for Bedfordshire since J. M. Craddock 1 lived there one, two and three decades before him. He went on to play for Luton up until the 87/88 season and was board one whilst I played board four or five. ELO rating usually between 2150-2250, with a peak rating of 2281 and if I am not wrong, currently 2117 well so says FIDE. In English money that’s 188 (ECF-188 [2117-700÷7.5=188]). Peter is an FM and currently plays in the 4NCL for White Rose.
Pre-game thoughts? Despite being rubbish at chess, I gunned down an FM in Turku, Finland at the 3 beers pub in the student village -and that’s the only time I have beaten an FM. He was rated 2340 and I beat him with 1. f4 (which he accused of being very drawish after the game, which was his way of saying he like facing it hence his laconic play and overall lack of interest!). Prior to that, I drew with FM Dave Ledger in 93 in Luton. Dave played the King’s Indian Attack against me but didn’t open the position up, ran out of ideas and lost interest in it. Eventually it fizzled out to a draw. No other results against FMs were had. I’m bloody rubbish at chess anyway, so I’ll probably lose.
You may, if you so wish, find the game here, I am black.
https://www.chess.com/game/daily/623139629
And yes the title comes from one of Metallica‘s better songs and yes I wanted to include the line ‘sent here by the chosen one’ but decided against it for what are, perhaps, obvious reasons… .
Mark. J. McCready 06.45 February 16th 2024, Al-Fursan, Dammam, KSA.
McCreadyandChess 