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Richard James

@richardjameschess.bsky.social

480 followers 1.5K following 1.1K posts

Chess player, organiser, teacher, writer, historian. Investigating the intersection between chess and childhood. Reading old newspapers so that you don't have to. Also crosswords, music (classical & folk), genealogy etc. https://richard915.substack.com

richard915.substack.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · Nov 19

richard915.substack.com/p/introduction
I've just launched a Substack discussing the intersection between chess and childhood through the perspective of my long involvement with children's chess. #chess #chesspost #EduSky

Introduction

I’m Richard James. I'm writing about the intersection between chess and childhood.

richard915.substack.com

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Reposted by Richard James

DMU Archives and Rare Books @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social · 1h

#Chess and music have long shared a connection, the game often called silent music or a mental dance. For those curious to try all at the same time this #ChessTuesday, here’s the Caïssa Waltz, by Walter Pulitzer, 1897. From the @englishchess.bsky.social #chesshistory #chessliterature

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 4h

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/n...

Cocktails and checkmates: the young Britons giving chess a new lease of life

Laid-back clubs proving a hit in London, Birmingham and elsewhere as people look for new ways to socialise

www.theguardian.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 23h

This is my 2nd cousin 3 times removed Charles (originally Caleb) Dearing. Coming from a family of agricultural labourers, he served in the army in India, later becoming a gymnastics instructor at Bradford Grammar School.

Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 1d

The little boy holding the blackboard is my 2nd cousin twice removed William (Billy) Tew, who later emigrated from Oxfordshire to Canada.

Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 1d

rtchessclub.com/2025/11/03/g...

A game and two more photos from last week's Gavin Wall Memorial Blitz

Gavin Wall Memorial Blitz: Game and Photos

In his game against Sampson, Mike sacrificed a queen and a rook for a spectacular checkmate. You can play it through here: click on any move for a pop-up window. Our visitor Mitchell Burke from the…

rtchessclub.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 1d

DNA link yesterday with 4th cousin Brenda, the Bard of Banbury, who wrote this poem.

Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 1d

rtchessclub.com/2025/11/03/c...

Can you answer the quick question in this week's puzzle?

Chess Puzzle of the Week (364)

Here’s a quick question for you. It’s Black to play. Maxim Dunn (Reading University) v Andrew Smith (Bourne End), from a Berkshire League match last Wednesday, and posted by Andrew on h…

rtchessclub.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 1d

www.saund.org.uk/britbase/pgn...

BritBase Chess: Games played by Mike Basman

www.saund.org.uk

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 3d

I bought my copy for 20p in a remaindered book sale in WH Smith Leicester (I was studying there) in 1971: still have it.

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 3d

Wordle 1,596 3/6

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 3d

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/o...

Chess: Magnus Carlsen triumphs at historic Champions Showdown in St Louis

Norway’s world No 1 beat the world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, 5.5-0.5, and also edged the world Nos 2 and 3, Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, both by 3.5-2.5

www.theguardian.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 4d

Contracts have just been exchanged on the sale of my house and the purchase of my new flat, with completion scheduled for 26 November.

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 4d

www.chess.com/blog/simagin...

Alexandr Koblencs. Some More Games And Pictures. Lots!

Good afternoon everyone. Well, I had to stop digging and put the material onto the page. Too much here for one blog really, but hopefully you will drop in and out and enjoy another of my looks at a ne...

www.chess.com

Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 4d

richardjames.smugmug.com/Richmond-Par...

Today's walk was in Richmond Park's Isabella Plantation.

Richmond Park 30-10-25 - Richard James

This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.

richardjames.smugmug.com

Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 5d

Prunella Scales and Vera Menchik, the first women's world chess champion, were 3rd cousins.

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 5d

Wordle 1,594 2/6

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Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 6d

rtchessclub.com/2025/10/29/g...

Gavin Wall Memorial Blitz

The first Gavin Wall Memorial Blitz took place at the Adelaide on 28 October. Organised and run by Mike Robinson-Chui, the tournament attracted a full house of 20 players. Maks Gajowniczek and Mike…

rtchessclub.com

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Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 6d

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Reposted by Richard James

DMU Archives and Rare Books @dmuspecialcolls.bsky.social · 7d

The Mystery of the Missing Piece for a #Halloween themed #ChessTuesday. Prime suspect: the shadowy relam aka down the side of the sofa? From The Chess Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes, 1992 in the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. #chesshistory #chessliterature @librarydmu.bsky.social

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 7d

www.ft.com/content/7328...

Chess: Daniel Naroditsky’s final games included a classic victory against a world title candidate, but also a troubling defeat

Puzzle: spot the grandmaster’s winning tactic

www.ft.com

Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 8d

rtchessclub.com/2025/10/27/c...

This week's puzzle pays tribute to GM Daniel Naroditsky, whose sudden death last week shocked and saddened the chess world.

Chess Puzzle of the Week (363)

You will no doubt have heard the sad and shocking news of the sudden death of the popular American grandmaster, commentator and content creator Daniel Naroditsky at the age of only 29. This week&#8…

rtchessclub.com

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Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 11d

www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/o...

Chess: Fide to ‘discipline’ Kramnik over Naroditsky cheating allegations

The Fide president, Arkady Dvorkovich, said that Kramnik, who is accused of unfounded allegations against Naroditsky, will be referred to its ethics disciplinary committee

www.theguardian.com

Richard James @richardjameschess.bsky.social · 11d

DNA links this morning with 5th cousin once removed Jo-Anne from Port Macquarie, New South Wales, and with 4th cousin once removed Martin, born in Coalville, married in Stoke on Trent.

Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 11d

rtchessclub.com/2025/10/24/c...

I'm sure you managed to find the forced mate missed by Caruana in Monday's puzzle.

Chess Puzzle of the Week (362): Solution

This is Caruana – So, played last Saturday in the US Championship. Caruana only managed to draw from this position, but I’m sure that, if you had enough time on the clock, you would have done bette…

rtchessclub.com

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Reposted by Richard James

Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club @richtwickchess.bsky.social · 12d

rtchessclub.com/2025/10/23/2...

Three wins from three matches this week.

The results plus a brilliant game for your enjoyment.

2025-26 Results Bulletin (5)

After last week’s results it’s good to be able to report three wins from three matches this week. Our Thames Valley B team welcomed Hounslow A to the Adelaide on Tuesday for their retur…

rtchessclub.com

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