I was out walking today, down by what the locals call "Lofty's Bridge", when I saw smoke coming from a copse of trees. I went in to investigate, and found the remains of a pathetic and unsuccessful attempt to light a fire. Among the damp sticks that had been gathered, was a bit of paper on which was written a plan for the opening of a chess match. Also nearby was a copy of "Teach yourself chess" by Gerald Abrahams (1948, English Universities Press.)

I'm from the city originally, and don't fully understand the ways of the countryside, so I stopped at the local pub to ask if anyone knew anything. One man told me that the aforementioned copse was a magnet to wandering chess players, and had been for centuries. So, I believe there's a chess player of some rank and species out there, practising openings and studying endgame theory in the fields near my home.

I enclose a picture of the paper I found; can anyone help me identify which chess player is a guest in our parish?

Perhaps it is is the ghost of Howard Staunton.  The above paper refers to what Fischer would play against Boris Spassky.  Fischer did ask for more money and got it from a UK benefactor.

Staunton's ghost? Now I'm beginning to get frightened. If I can keep my nerve, I'll investigate further.

it sounds to me like you may have stumbled across a secret coded message? perhaps you've found a note from spooks of a different kind, if you know what I mean

:-0