"I first represented Scotland at primary level, at the age of nine, but I made some sort of leap when my family moved to London when I was ten years old. There I met Richard James at the Richmond Junior Chess Club, who introduced me to the possibility of improving by studying books as well as playing"

Jonathan Rowson (Grandmaster, British Champion 2004-05-06)

"The biggest influence in my chess career has been, without doubt, Richard James, one of the founders of Richmond Junior Chess Club and the driving force behind it for more than 30 years. He has inspired generations of children with his genial manner and unique insight into the way young people think. I do not think anyone else in chess appreciates the importance of psychology in their teaching the same way as he does. I, and countless others, owe him so much."

Robert Heaton (2007)

We are all journeying through cyberspace. Some of us are adventurers, some pilgrims, some missionaries. On my journeys I have met fellow-travellers, discovered heroes I never knew existed, found inspiration for the future. I have encountered ghosts from past lives, half-remembered names and faces from - was it really almost half a century ago? Sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday. I have stumbled across those from much further back in time who, uncomprehendingly, in some small way made me what I am today.

Thank you for stopping by on your journey to visit my website and letting me become part of your world. At present this site is mostly about my chess teaching activities. But some day there will be more.