Here is a very interesting article about Tom Murphy, a homeless man who has an amazing talent for chess:

 

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ihch6cnhaZToAdkkiDcJOfyqLutQ 

 

Tom Murphy, who is currently homeless has ambitions to reach the master level in the near future. He finished 15th in the 2005 World Blitz Championship. Currently he is a successful chess tutor, charging $20-30 per hour.

 

It is great to see that the game of chess can bring success to people of all social and economic levels. 

Cool story. If I get ever go back to DC, I'll look for him.

Wonder what drove him to drink with a science and math major he must have been doing well in life at some point.

HotFlow wrote:

Wonder what drove him to drink with a science and math major he must have been doing well in life at some point.

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 Some people can drink throughout their lifetime without a problem. At the other end of the spectrum are those with a strong propensity for alcoholism, who land in the gutter after a short time. Also, having once been a math and/or science major in the United States is not as great an accomplishment as it might be elsewhere. Anyone can declare themselves a math major. Actually matriculating to grad school--where you'd better be headed if you want a job--is another matter entirely. 

It is great to see that the game of chess can bring success to people of all social and economic levels.

 

He's an unusual and interesting character. I hope he achieves master one day.

Until such time when many people around the world adore talented chess-players as they do with great soccer , golf or tennis stars, there will always be poor talented chess players around us.  Great golfers, tennis stars or soccer-players become millionaires because theirs' is a spectators' sport.  Can we make chess a spectators' sport too? 

likesforests wrote:

It is great to see that the game of chess can bring success to people of all social and economic levels.

 

He's an unusual and interesting character. I hope he achieves master one day.

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 I agree. It doesn't really matter where you start - it's where in life you end up. He should achieve Master.

Yes it saddens when we see someone with such talent having to live in certain demeaning situations.  Hence two things we need to consider: 1. Is there anything which the chess community can do to help this situation?  2.  Is this a self-imposed state of affairs?

I live in a different country but it would be nice to see someone undertake to investigate the situation and help to determine what if anything can be done in an organised way to assist.

Unclemike 

i wnder how much i could charge??

Cool article, just goes to show dont judge people too easy or you might get a surprise. Btw anyone else with the guy when he says: "when I don't drink my chess is better."? I know i am :D

Singa wrote:

  Can we make chess a spectators' sport too? 

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That would probably require good oral annotation by TV commentators, since people of my level would probably become bored watching a game being played at a level where I can't understand why the players chose the moves they did.  Also, I've heard that in the past, there have been some successes getting TV audiences for speed chess.

Graw81 wrote: Cool article, just goes to show dont judge people too easy or you might get a surprise. Btw anyone else with the guy when he says: "when I don't drink my chess is better."? I know i am :D

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 Same for me.  Sometimes I log in after having a few, but I don't trust myself to make any decent moves, so I just leave myself notes.  Usually in the morning the notes are useless lol.

Graw81 wrote: Cool article, just goes to show dont judge people too easy or you might get a surprise. Btw anyone else with the guy when he says: "when I don't drink my chess is better."? I know i am :D

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absolutely with him. however when i am drinking (like right now) i do enjoy playing (which i am), and i dont see a problem. its not like id drink during or before a tournament.

ITS THE DUDE FROM SEARCHING FOR BOBBY FISHER IN D.C.

Who knows where he would be now if not for his addiction to alcohol? He is obviously very good at chess even with the issues that he has to deal with as a result of his addiction.

 I wish him well and hope that things work out for the best for him and that he is able to achieve the title of master. 

I have recently had the opportunity to go to Washington DC for work and on my second day visited Dupont Circle to play a few games. No more then five minutes passed after setting up my pieces came Tom Murphy at which time we played a few games of blitz at $3.00 a game. Shortly after loosing all the games I asked him if he would be interested in giving me a few lessons. Two days\lessons later I have to say that Tom has given me the best lessons I have ever had! I have taken lessons from another player that is considered an IM but have to say Tom has been the best chess instructor I have had the pleasure to work with. He has a way of explaining the game that is not only entertaining but easy to follow. I only wish that I had more time here in DC :( 

I looked him up on the internet and there appears to be a documentary coming out which I would really love to see. If your ever in the Washington DC area be sure to check out Dupont Circle and to say hi to Tom.

http://www.murphysgambit.com/

http://www.dahlmancook.com/

All the very best to him. If you can get hold of it, John Healy's book The Grass Arena is the autobiography of a homeless alcoholic who had a lot of talent at chess too. It gives a very bleak picture of that kind of life.