March 14, 2026 by mccreadyandchess
Last night I cut across Bangkok on the skytrain with a black bandanna on and went to Bangkok Chess Club. Many old friends were there and a blitz tournament went down. The section of the English pub we play in had been refurbished and looks much better, so it should have been a good night all round but it wasn’t.
I had travelled solidly for two days and was massively jetlagged. And that is a most unwelcome visitor. To say my play was poor is an understatement. I was simply too tired to play. In truth it wasn’t so bad at first but got really bad at the end of the 9-round Swiss. I just wasn’t with it and was losing too easily. I ordered a diet coke to help counterbalance this, placed it on a table then the bar maid went and took it away before I could get half way through it -jolly bad luck.
Pleasure of my play was still there but it was fleeting. Thankfully I was too tired to care whether I won or lost. A very ordinary visit with nothing to write home about evening except it was nice to see old friends, and be reminded once more that the welcoming ex-pats and thais who make up Bangkok chess club really do enjoy their time there and make you enjoy yours….if you like being liked and welcomed that is.
M J M
McCreadyandChess 