Tuesday 13-12-2016 - 13:36

Durham University Chess Society is holding it's first ever public blitz tournament on Wednesday 14 December - join the Facebook event here.

By James Cavendish, President of Durham University Chess Society

Chess is usually a game of logic, where one either wins or loses and the outcome is clear cut, like one massive jigsaw puzzle where the pieces, if you play correctly, all fit together. I have loved playing chess since the age of five, finding the endless possibilities addictive. First it was just going to the club once a week then local tournaments and then the big prize of the primary school chess scene – the British Chess Challenge - travelling to tournaments all over the UK in pursuit of my passion. Aged eight, having passed through that year’s first round easily, I travelled with my parents to Manchester for round two. The tournament was a round robin of six games for which four points were needed to progress. One point for a win, half for a draw and none for a loss. On hoping points, entering the last game of the tournament and hoping to progress to the next round, my opponent cheated.

I ended up with a draw and a half point; not enough to progress. After the game, having suffered my first real disappointment, I told my parents who took me to see the arbiter. I learned for the first time that in order to prove my opponent had cheated I had first to do two things – write down all my moves as a record of the game, and inform the arbiter at the time of the incident. I had failed to do both.  One is taught early on that you never cheat and if you do and are caught you will lose the game and possibly be barred from a tournament. One feels the rights and wrongs of life more intently as a child and upset and incandescent at this injustice I resolved to be resolute in the face of my disappointment – making sure nothing similar would happen to me again. I thus learnt the tournament rules.

Two years later exactly the same thing happened – an opponent removed my rook from the board while my attention was diverted. This time, however, I was prepared, and having notated my game I was able to prove to the arbiter that I was correct: my opponent was disqualified and I was adjudged to have won the game by default. Although I did not take pleasure in this action, even feeling a little guilty at the outcome, I felt vindicated that I had received justice though the proper channels – that I had done the right thing for myself. I progressed in the tournament albeit not in the manner I would wish.

Looking back, chess was like a metaphor for my life at the time and I learned valuable lessons from it.  I became more mature, self-sufficient and confident in my own judgement and ability, and to stand up for what was right. I learned that although developing a sense of independence was important one should ask for help when needed and that in life, as well as chess, it is important to know the boundaries. I didn’t recognise it at the time but the discipline I was learning playing chess filtered across by osmosis to my other work at school. The episode taught me one other valuable lesson: You don’t become good by dreaming and wishing, you become good by doing. Learn the rules, put in the work and if you work really hard at something you learn to love it even more. 

I’ve been really lucky. I go to a good school and have great masters. But I was perhaps most lucky to have found a hobby when I was so young that linked effort and reward very directly.  I will always remember that. When my school reports suggested `could do better’ I could understand what was required and turn it around, knowing it is for my own good. My disappointment in chess turned out to be a Grand Master for life.

Durham University Chess Society is holding it's first ever public blitz tournament on Wednesday 14 December - join the Facebook event here.