Graham kindly agreed to answer some questions on his chess career.
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What are you early memories of chess?
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Playing my Dad, who was better than me, as a teenager and gradually becoming better than him.
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At what age did you join a chess club?
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School and then at 18.
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What chess teams have you played for over the years?
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School, University D, Eastleigh Rail, Winchester and just about to join Andover.
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How long have you played and have you ever taking a break from the game, and if so, what was the reason for this?
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Played until I was 19 and then took a break and re-joined at about 50 years old.
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What do you most enjoy about chess?
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Whereas in my job, I had a managerial position, in chess I was the same as everyone else as well as meeting new people.
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What do you least enjoy about chess?
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It used to be travelling to Salisbury in the rain and not finding anywhere to park.
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How many chess books do you have, and do you think you have read most of them?
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Three – not properly.
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Do you have a favourite player and if so, what do you most admire about this player?
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I only really followed the Spassky v Fischer era
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Can you tell me about you most successful tournament you have played in, or biggest achievement in chess?
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When Eastleigh Rail A were short of a player, I played on board 5 v Andover. Dave Thomson was a bit disgusted he was playing such a lower grade player. I gave my rook away early on but surprisingly (even to me) I checkmated him about 10 moves later. He was not pleased. He probably doesn’t remember but it has stuck with me.
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Do you have any favourite books?
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Pan Book of Chess (dated 1965).
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Do you have a favourite game, and would you mind annotating this?
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Only the one referred to above – I do not have a copy as I live on the memory.
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Do you have anyone who you have found your most difficult opponent?
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Malcolm Clarke – I could never beat him!
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Do you have any interesting chess anecdotes?
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Not really, except the old Eastleigh Rail chess players and their love of alcohol).
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What advice would you give to anyone starting in chess, or looking to improve?
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Persevere and don’t give up in favour of all the modern computer and Xbox games.
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Would you like to share details of your life outside of chess, e.g. work, personal life etc?
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Solicitor, Age Concern, Football (Saints), cricket, Scrabble + Upwords – during lockdown. Rotary, Horse Racing (low betting).