CHUCK MATE

"In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else, for whereas the endings can be studied and mastered by themselves, the middle game and the opening must be studied in relation to the endgame."

-- Capablanca

One of my best friends is an oil company heavy-hitter who lives in the UK. His name is Gerard and while Gerard is undoubtedly a Ray Martin endorsed top bloke, he has a severe and serious side to his character. Some would unkindly suggest he's a moody bugger. Not me, though. Well, maybe in one of MY moods.

Anyway, as coincidence would have it, rotten-tempered Gerard now lives in Gerrards Cross. GC (apparently that's what hip locals call it) is north-east of London on the way to Oxford and somewhere between Chalfont St Peter and Stoke Poges. That should narrow things down.

Last Sunday I was talking with Gerard and he told me GC was extremely affluent, like Toorak. For readers not familiar with Toorak, it's a posh Melbourne suburb much like ... well, Gerrards Cross.

Then yesterday, by way of confirmation, I was informed ...

Killer Fact! Gerrards Cross has the highest number of millionaires per capita in the UK.

This got me remembering. Gerard, who is now loaded, owes me money. Back in 1989, I was sharing a house with him and one Friday night he came home shit-faced and threw up all over my computerised chess game.The bastard thing never worked again.

So here's MY endgame. Next time I'm in the UK, probably July during The Ashes, I'm going to free-load on Gerard to the tune of one computerised chess game.

Or $99.50.

At around 30 pounds, that should buy me a big time in the old dart.

Comments

[SB]

Hope Gerard's not cross when you get there.

England in summer for the Ashes - lucky bugger!

Merry Christmas.

[Tony.T]

Pity it'll only be for two weeks.

Anyhoo, thanks, SB, and same to you.

[Emily]

Merry christmas Tony Tim, and god bless us every one.

[Harry Hutton]

Merry Christmas, you filthy animal.

[Scott Wickstein]

Hell, I could be in the UK myself in July. Not sure I'll be able to get to the cricket though. Taking the cooks tour.

[Scott Wickstein]

And, indeed, compliments of the season to you.

[Tony.T]

Merry Christmas everybody. May you all eat and drink until you get sick.

[vague]

Right back at you. Off to find some egg nog.

[Scott Wickstein]

"Merry Christmas everybody. May you all eat and drink until you get sick."

Mission Completed.

[Nabakov]

Well, if he spasskied all over yer chess set, then I reckon you should definity go fischering for recompense.

Just finished reading "Bobby Fischer Goes to War" by David Edmonds and John Eidinow, a very lively account of that 1972 World Championship Chess Match between Bobby and Boris.

Fischer comes across as even more of a whacker than you heard or believed possible. But a true genius. So much so, it's surprising he didn't go completely nuts sooner than he did.

What's interesting is how Spassky comes across. In his own quiet way, he was more than a bit of a dissident and didn't have much time at all for the Communist regime. And he really respected and liked Fischer (which was not a very easy thing to do apparently) - to the point where during the matches, he'd actually fret about if Fischer was getting enough sleep or eating properly.

Meanwhile Fischer would prowl the Icelandic white nights, dancing badly in an electric blue suit with groupies at the only nightclub in town before returning to his room, to sit there with eyes like a speeding owl, playing three games at once with himself and occasionally waking up his manager to demand more prize money, preferably in small bills.

[Brett Pee]

I thought Richmond was more affluent than Toorak. I reckon Kensington/Surbiton richest London suburbs- where all the Playboy Arab Oil Sheikhs hang out.

Best time to catch the 'decent' weather in Pomland is late july/early august. But the Lords test is the best one to attend-what with a win almost guaranteed for us and the superb atmosphere. But pricey-too bloody pricey. EVERYTHING is too expensive over there.