I noticed that there wasn't a thread for introductions, so I thought I would start one...

My real name is Mark, and I used to play in the Bristol league for South Bristol Chess Club. I stopped playing around 6 years ago simply because I lost interest in chess, and was very busy at the time with work.

I played in the Bristol Winter Congress in 2007 in the under 150 section (Major?). Some of you may have seen me - I use an electric wheelchair, and that time, at the Congress, my wife came with me and moved my pieces for me. I came equal third in my section narrowly missing out on the prize money , but I was quite pleased with my rating performance of around 150.

I sometimes think about coming back to the Bristol league, but I'm not 100% sure, and online chess suits me quite well at the moment.

Pleasure to e-meet you and a good idea.  My name's Michael Meadows and I'm 23.  I started playing for the Bristol University team (mostly in the away because I have a car) last year and this year I'm starting a PhD which is a joint Bristol uni and BAE affair.

I first learnt to play at about 7 and I got as far as playing for board 3 for a junior Northamptonshire team at about 11 but never got an official grade.  I renewed my chessy interest a couple of years ago and, after playing for the uni and myself in local tournaments (Bristol local now) got my first grade this year of 134 ECF.  I had a poor start to last season but this calendar year have a 6+ 4= 0- score in classical time controls chess so I'm aiming for a higher grade next season.  I'll feature in both Division 1 and Division 4.