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Cathal
Member since Feb-26-05 · Last seen Nov-10-05
Hello random name clicking person. I am a 31 year old guy based in London. I began playing chess when I was pretty small - my mum was quite a serious player and was determined that she would teach her children to play. As it happened only I carried on (I have two siblings), but I have played in a very stop-start way since then. When I was doing A-Levels I played a lot, but mostly socially. I joined a club in my early 20s and played 2 league games, lost both and then stopped.

I picked it up again when I turned 30 through playing chess on Yahoo, and have slowly taken it more seriously since. This year I played the season for my work team (I am a Civil Servant), and will finally get a BCF rating. Not that it will be very impressive - if it works out at 110 I will be pleased. This probably under-represents me, as I don't often lose to players in the 100-120 range. I have spend most of the season playing against players rated 130-150 and losing. But it all makes you better..

What I find hard to fathom is how much better than me it is possible to be at this game. Don't get me wrong - I know I am a humble rabbit. But I put in time and effort, work on tactics and openings (I am improving slowly..), and still will get utterly annihilated by someone really good. There must be things that really good players see that I simply don't.. perhaps one day I will.

Anyway, thanks for listening. Perhaps I'll catch you around sometime.

>> Click here to see Cathal's game collections.

   Cathal has kibitzed 4 times to chessgames  
   May-06-05 Kibitzer's Café (replies)
 
Cathal: Anyone know a good online coach who doesn't cost too much? Or do any of you coach or feel like coaching? I need to lose fewer league games next year. I guess knowing my ability might help.. Dunno what my elo would be, but I reckon my BCF will land between 110 and 120. The new BCF-ELO
 
   Apr-08-05 Raymond Keene (replies)
 
Cathal: Ray (If I may) - you mentioned above that you might have some coaching suggestions. I live in the Streatham/Clapham/Brixtonish bit of London. Would you have any suggestions? Thank you!
 
   Mar-30-05 Keene vs Briant, 1988 (replies)
 
Cathal: It is nice to have the actual player comment as Ray Keene did yesterday. I saw this one quickly - been on the end of similar a few times! <Stevens: Is there a book with just loads of tactical positions in it ranging from straight forward to more complex?> I have used some of ...
 
   Mar-16-05 Petrosian vs M Pavey, 1955 (replies)
 
Cathal: Hello! Just joined up to the site. I'm not going to post any analysis owing to being abysmal at chess. I got this though. Beginners luck?
 
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