Richard James
@richardjameschess.bsky.social
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
Reading old newspapers so that you don't have to.
Also crosswords, music (classical & folk), genealogy etc.
https://richard915.substack.com
Pinned
Introduction
I’m Richard James. I'm writing about the intersection between chess and childhood.
richard915.substack.com
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
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
Ancestry now has the London Electoral Rolls up to 1972 (here).
December 11, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Ancestry now has the London Electoral Rolls up to 1972 (here).
DNA link with 5th cousin once removed Kathleen, originally from Tekamah, Nebraska, later from Alameda, California.
December 10, 2025 at 1:12 PM
DNA link with 5th cousin once removed Kathleen, originally from Tekamah, Nebraska, later from Alameda, California.
Reposted by Richard James
Reposted by Richard James
We don’t do court reports, especially when it comes to violent crime, but there’s always an exception.
December 9, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We don’t do court reports, especially when it comes to violent crime, but there’s always an exception.
Reposted by Richard James
A perfect pocket-sized #Christmas stocking filler this #ChessTuesday: a Polgar Tactics book signed by the legendary #chess sisters, marking their remarkable 1991 performances in Budapest. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. @richardjameschess.bsky.social #chesshistory #chessliterature
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
A perfect pocket-sized #Christmas stocking filler this #ChessTuesday: a Polgar Tactics book signed by the legendary #chess sisters, marking their remarkable 1991 performances in Budapest. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. @richardjameschess.bsky.social #chesshistory #chessliterature
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/08/c...
Another fascinating position for you to analyse this week.
As always, have fun!
Another fascinating position for you to analyse this week.
As always, have fun!
Chess Puzzle of the Week (369)
This week’s position languished in obscurity for almost a century before being rediscovered. Thanks to my virtual friend Neil Blackburn for reminding me about it. Black to play. He’s a …
rtchessclub.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:05 AM
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/08/c...
Another fascinating position for you to analyse this week.
As always, have fun!
Another fascinating position for you to analyse this week.
As always, have fun!
Reposted by Richard James
Father and son playing chess. Photo by Yevgeny Khaldei (1954)
December 7, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Father and son playing chess. Photo by Yevgeny Khaldei (1954)
Daily Mirror 29 December 1966
December 7, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Daily Mirror 29 December 1966
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/05/c...
Did you find the best continuation in Monday's puzzle? Click here to find out.
Did you find the best continuation in Monday's puzzle? Click here to find out.
Chess Puzzle of the Week (368): Solution
The game Balaji – Roe concluded from this position: 20… Ngxf2+! 21. Rxf2 Qh3+!! 22. Kg1 Nxf2 23. Kxf2 Qxh2+ 24. Kf3 Re4! 25. Bb2 g5! and White resigned. I’ll give you 5 points for…
rtchessclub.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/05/c...
Did you find the best continuation in Monday's puzzle? Click here to find out.
Did you find the best continuation in Monday's puzzle? Click here to find out.
Reposted by Richard James
richardjames.smugmug.com/Kew-Gardens-...
Although the calendar said December, Kew Gardens still looked very autumnal today.
Although the calendar said December, Kew Gardens still looked very autumnal today.
Kew Gardens 03-12-25 - Richard James
This gallery hosted by SmugMug; your photos look better here.
richardjames.smugmug.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
richardjames.smugmug.com/Kew-Gardens-...
Although the calendar said December, Kew Gardens still looked very autumnal today.
Although the calendar said December, Kew Gardens still looked very autumnal today.
Reposted by Richard James
Founded in 1867, A History of the Dublin Chess Club for #ChessTuesday with a group pic of members in its centenary year. DYK women players were admitted to the club in 1919. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. #chesshistory #chessliterature @richardjameschess.bsky.social
December 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Founded in 1867, A History of the Dublin Chess Club for #ChessTuesday with a group pic of members in its centenary year. DYK women players were admitted to the club in 1919. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. #chesshistory #chessliterature @richardjameschess.bsky.social
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/01/c...
Can you solve this week's puzzle taken from the ongoing London Chess Classic Open?
Can you solve this week's puzzle taken from the ongoing London Chess Classic Open?
Chess Puzzle of the Week (368)
Simon Roe of St Albans, a Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club London League player a few decades ago, defeated IMs in Rounds 4 and 5 of the XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open last week. This po…
rtchessclub.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:47 AM
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/01/c...
Can you solve this week's puzzle taken from the ongoing London Chess Classic Open?
Can you solve this week's puzzle taken from the ongoing London Chess Classic Open?
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/01/s...
A short selection of games played by our members in last week's matches.
A short selection of games played by our members in last week's matches.
Some Recent Games
A selection of games played in last week’s matches. As always, click on any move for a pop-up window. Here’s Mike Healey’s win from our TVA match against Ealing A. Mike also sent …
rtchessclub.com
December 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
rtchessclub.com/2025/12/01/s...
A short selection of games played by our members in last week's matches.
A short selection of games played by our members in last week's matches.
DNA link with half 4th cousin twice removed Dave from Wrexham.
November 29, 2025 at 10:46 PM
DNA link with half 4th cousin twice removed Dave from Wrexham.
Remembering my mother, Betty (Smith) on the 104th anniversary of her birth.
November 29, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Remembering my mother, Betty (Smith) on the 104th anniversary of her birth.
Reposted by Richard James
I've made it to my new residence. Two more days of unpacking to come. Now to find out how everything works!
November 26, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I've made it to my new residence. Two more days of unpacking to come. Now to find out how everything works!