• Member Since: Nov 4, 2009
• Last Login: May 25, 2012
• Profile Views: 2838
• Points: 931
• Birthday: Sep 19, 1986
• Occupation: Club Player, Tournament Player :)
• FIDE Rating: 1570

I love playing chess, whether it's serious or for fun. I was Oxfordshire Junior U9 Chess Champion in 1996, but after 5 years of playing I stopped in 1997. I started again about 15 months ago, and would love to really improve and play some more tournaments in the near future... watch this space!!!

I play chess for my local club (Didcot) also and have started playing for my county's U125 and U150 team, I've also began playing in local tournaments and finished =4th place at the 35th Annual Chess Congress in Kidlington on 4th+5th February 2012 - check my blogs for all my rated games 

"you only get smarter by playing a smarter opponent"

The Fundamentals of Chess, 1885

This is a philosophy I adopt when selecting opponents in live play - I like playing higher-rated opponents so I always have a tough match! But I will happily play anyone of any rating in a turn-based game or tournament game, rated or unrated.

My 3 favourite chess players of all-time are 1.Kasparov (childhood idol), 2.Alekhine and 3.Nimzovich

Here is the link to my best OTB win (by rating) so far... caused a big upset!!

http://blog.chess.com/pumpupthevolume247/my-14th-club-match---my-8th-win