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Showing posts from November, 2018

The Court of Social Media

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9.00am on a late October morning. Scene: Waiting room for the overground train at Willesden Junction station. Almost everyone seems to be scrolling on their phones, or listening to something (myself included). Nothing unusual,except one woman is playing music loudly on her phone, disturbing everyone. After a respectable nod to British reserve, people inform her that her music is disturbing everyone, and ask her to stop. She responds that her music isn't loud. Impasse. But after a few seconds, and man starts filming her on his iphone. She goes up to him, and says that he is infringing her human rights. Everybody laughs. After a brief pause, she picks up her belongings and leaves. She didn't seem to care about other people's basic rights, but the threat of an appearance in the court of social media is too much to bear.   

Chess, Diversity and Eco Bags

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Diversity is a champions league buzzword. But what does it mean as a chess player in the London area? How does it score on race/religion/age/sex? Women and chess seems to be the hottest potato, so I will start with the cold Jersey Royals and work my way up. Please Note: This blog has not been submitted to the Inclusion Council, and I beseech you to accept a virtual sin offering for any mansplaining. Chess scores highly on age diversity. Possibly better than any other pastime (I could write sport, but that's another debate). Personally, nothing scarier than playing a young, cherubic opponent who's head only just peers over the board, yet bangs out opening moves like a veteran. Last summer, I played an 8 year-old in a tournament. Major fright for the first 10 moves - till he made a faux pas. Superannuated players regularly feature in the same teams as juniors. Ability is what counts. It is also worth recognizing the many dedicated people, particularly parents, who help with t