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
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!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iop6...
This morning I'm moving from what has been my home for the past 44 years, downsizing to a flat in a more convenient and central location 2 miles away.
I'll be off grid for a bit until my broadband is sorted out.
This morning I'm moving from what has been my home for the past 44 years, downsizing to a flat in a more convenient and central location 2 miles away.
I'll be off grid for a bit until my broadband is sorted out.
Waiting for the Moving Van
YouTube video by David Ackles - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 AM
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iop6...
This morning I'm moving from what has been my home for the past 44 years, downsizing to a flat in a more convenient and central location 2 miles away.
I'll be off grid for a bit until my broadband is sorted out.
This morning I'm moving from what has been my home for the past 44 years, downsizing to a flat in a more convenient and central location 2 miles away.
I'll be off grid for a bit until my broadband is sorted out.
Reposted by Richard James
This beautiful pocket-sized 'biographical portrait of two brilliant young chess masters' Harry Pillsbury (US) & Rudolf Charousek (Czech/Hungarian), 1914 for #ChessTuesday From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. #chesshistory #chessliterature @richardjameschess.bsky.social @librarydmu.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This beautiful pocket-sized 'biographical portrait of two brilliant young chess masters' Harry Pillsbury (US) & Rudolf Charousek (Czech/Hungarian), 1914 for #ChessTuesday From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library. #chesshistory #chessliterature @richardjameschess.bsky.social @librarydmu.bsky.social
minorpieces.uk/2025/11/24/m...
My latest Minor Piece features Annie Mabel Gooding of Cheltenham, who played in ladies' chess tournaments over a period of 25 years, and had draws against Blackburne, Lasker and Capablanca to her name.
My latest Minor Piece features Annie Mabel Gooding of Cheltenham, who played in ladies' chess tournaments over a period of 25 years, and had draws against Blackburne, Lasker and Capablanca to her name.
Minor Pieces 94: Annie Mabel Gooding
Come with me, if you will, to the beautiful island of Barbados, noted particularly, to many of us, for its record in producing world class cricketers. Having previously been captured and then aband…
minorpieces.uk
November 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
minorpieces.uk/2025/11/24/m...
My latest Minor Piece features Annie Mabel Gooding of Cheltenham, who played in ladies' chess tournaments over a period of 25 years, and had draws against Blackburne, Lasker and Capablanca to her name.
My latest Minor Piece features Annie Mabel Gooding of Cheltenham, who played in ladies' chess tournaments over a period of 25 years, and had draws against Blackburne, Lasker and Capablanca to her name.
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/11/24/c...
When we were very young...
Another position from Chess Heroes Puzzles Book 2 for you to analyse this week.
When we were very young...
Another position from Chess Heroes Puzzles Book 2 for you to analyse this week.
Chess Puzzle of the Week (367)
Another position from the forthcoming Chess Heroes: Puzzles Book 2. Richard James – George Leyton Richmond Congress (Junior Section 1, I think) 1967. Black to play: how would you continue and…
rtchessclub.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 AM
rtchessclub.com/2025/11/24/c...
When we were very young...
Another position from Chess Heroes Puzzles Book 2 for you to analyse this week.
When we were very young...
Another position from Chess Heroes Puzzles Book 2 for you to analyse this week.
Reposted by Richard James
Reposted by Richard James
Get training like Gary Kasparov this #ChessTuesday! 🗡️ Nothing says 90s like this chess-meets-samurai guide by Michael Gelb and Raymond Keene: Openings are ‘Drawing the Sword,’ endgames ‘The Cleanest Kills. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library @richardjameschess.bsky.social #chesshistory #chess
November 18, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Get training like Gary Kasparov this #ChessTuesday! 🗡️ Nothing says 90s like this chess-meets-samurai guide by Michael Gelb and Raymond Keene: Openings are ‘Drawing the Sword,’ endgames ‘The Cleanest Kills. From the @englishchess.bsky.social Library @richardjameschess.bsky.social #chesshistory #chess
Reposted by Richard James
rtchessclub.com/2025/11/17/c...
A quick 2-mover this week as I'm busy packing ready for next week's move.
A quick 2-mover this week as I'm busy packing ready for next week's move.
Chess Puzzle of the Week (366)
I’m currently sorting out my possessions ready to move next week, so just time for a quick problem I found on the front cover of the September issue of The Problemist Supplement #2 Jørgen Bør…
rtchessclub.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
rtchessclub.com/2025/11/17/c...
A quick 2-mover this week as I'm busy packing ready for next week's move.
A quick 2-mover this week as I'm busy packing ready for next week's move.