Learned chess from school-fellows plus some reading to get the rules completely clear. Made the usual progress of mediocrity thru school, university and workplace teams, ending with several seasons in suburban league chess in north London. Even at best my rating was never higher than 164 BCF (a bit over 1900 FIDE). Some successes in restricted-entry events, including first place at Ilford under-160, 1973. Plus I won the National Association of Boys’ Clubs title in 1968 (good timing there - the following the year the field included two future IMs).

Gave up competitive play after leaving the UK in 1977. But there was one more chess-related hurrah. In 1981 I won the NZ Mastermind quiz title, taking as my main specialist subject the history of our great game since 1450.