McCreadyandChess

Looking in front, to the side, and behind…

April 17, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

Futures that lie ahead…

Soon I shall have months of free time. ‘Tis quite likely that I be frequenting Bangkok Chess Club. I enjoy the evenings more if I am playing well. I should brush up on opening theory and ply my trade against Lucas Chess Programme frequently in order to facilitate this, since absence does make the heart grow fonder…but then I may not… .

That which presently lies…

Aside the time of writing, it is Songkran in Thailand and so the Bangkok Chess Club Open is up and running. Songkran means war -and not just over the board! It is the longest holiday in Thailand, since it heralds the coming of the new year, which is celebrated by a huge waterfight festival, making it the best time to squeeze in a Swiss 9-rounder. For several reasons, I am unable to attend this year. The same could be said of my daughter. In truth, I have only played in one tournament in the past decade -long may it stay that way. This does not mean I would rather not be there. Actually I would. All it means is I would rather not play opting instead to enjoy the sense of occasion and help out (I was the official photographer for many years amongst other things). More about chess in Bangkok can be found here, bangkokchess.com (and yes the photo you see in the header was mine all mine, webmaster Peter seemed to like it)… Umm, don’t you think the beachside 5 star hotel which ~~wanted 2.7 million baht for use of its ballrooms, we got it down to 0.9 million~~ is home to this year’s tournament looks rather much like a resort and spa? That it be btw. The Sheraton Hua Hin

That which lies in the past…

Key-rings on order courtesy of my -ex from the tournament where we first met fifteen years ago. A blue knight for me, a green King for Grace, who were it not for my unending love of chess would not have come to be a part of this wonderful world in which we all live and play out the lives we lead… .

A better family game…

Another better family game…

Song of the week

Old classic from Summer 93. I still love the video, as this week’s youtube history shows.

Runner up

The bassline for this inspired Killing Joke and their song 80’s, which inspired Nirvana and the song Come As You Are. The Damned are my favourite punk band.

M J M

(note to reader on the above salutation: orange be my favourite colour, purple be Grace’s mum’s favourite colour, and pink be Grace’s favourite colour)

Posted in Chess in Thailand | Leave a Comment »

Coming close to victory

March 21, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

After a most pleasant evening at the chess club last night and more than enough examples of play which brought victory rather impressively I must say, so I decided to return to Lucas Chess to face the engine Greko98 once more in hope of giving it a good thrashing, after all, it’s only rated 2500! At the chess club last night I told someone my FIDE rating is 2 but it’s actually a little higher than that. As mentioned in a previous post, I beat an engine rated 2200 and 2400, so Grecko98 it is, rated 2500. What I like about playing it is I have to analyse my games and learn from my mistakes to stand any chance. The video below shows the closest I have come to beating it. I was celebrating half way through it, thinking the win was mine, forgetting I always take my foot off the pedal when I think I have won, so I lost instead! I just got carried away with my attack and didn’t evaluate the position, failing to notice I had poor king safety. I shall make a note not to get too excited next time if I have what I think is a strong attack, I think this game is a good ilustration of the fact that I am not used to playing such high rated opponents and do not realize just how difficult they are to beat. It could be argued that that was to be expected. Grecko98 is a tough cookie. I might nick a draw of it but that’s probably all I can hope for. It’s been fun as this is the toughest engine I have ever taken on, I decided not to play the ones that can beat the world champion! Although I like to play, I don’t like it when I’ve got absolutley no chance and will get thrashed every game, so I gave those engines a miss and me thinks me shan’t go above 2500 also as I am under the kosh a lot. What I liked most about this game was it showed I wanted to stick it to my oponnent despite suffering material loss.

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Weekend battles that lie ahead

March 21, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

This weekend I am going to continue to play the engine rated 2500 that I can’t quite beat. I’m going to have to increase the time limit and become more conscious of critical moments in the game In following GM Gawian Jones’s recommendations in his book on the Grand Prix Sicilian I get middle games with the better position but just cannot convert them into winning attacks no matter how hard I try.

My level of focus and will power are very high. And I analyse all games to see where I went wrong. I’m up against it but well up for it. The program being used is Lucas Chess. Let’s see if I can nick a draw this weekend. Probably I shall post some videos soonish. I don’t like posting ones where I lose, but whatever, the calibre of the play is high and the games are instructive.

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Friday night at the chess club and what came of it

March 20, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

In the previous post I mentioned that I gave up on playing online chess because it’s too easy, took on some engines, the one 2200 I beat, the one 2400 I beat but the one 2500 I could not. I felt sharpened up and fancied it down the chess club. How did it go? I enjoyed the company of all present and much socialising occurred before play began, I started drinking cider too.

We had a 9-round Swiss and I was very friendly at all times. My results were distinctly average though. I outplayed nearly everyone, winning with a devastating attack more than once but I just couldn’t get a grip of myself and adjust to the time limit (3m 2s) enough, sometimes losing on time, sometimes panicking not to and blowing the result. I had my shit together but it wasn’t enough over the board but failed to adjust to the tournament conditions. I couldn’t be bothered to see what my final score was, probably about 50%. To some degree my chess was anti-climactic.

Most importantly, life long member Peter told me it was lovely to see me back and he really meant it. In return I was complimentary too. Long term friend Poompong also very politely asked me about my life and my family unit, and so on. He was genuinely interested and spoke to me like a true friend.

To be happy just to be there and then valued as a member still, and treated as a true friend was what mattered most of the evening. I left feeling very touched indeed. It was a great night out.

M J M

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Ever victorius

March 18, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

Tonight, old-timer McCready beat an IM at draughts (I have played for England before). The videos linked do not show the game I won but rather who my oppponent was (not just an IM but a senior figure in the draughts world), and that I was enjoying myself. Should it be the case that you assuming I was some one trick pony and nothing more, I am very sorry to tell you that isnt so… .

M J M

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Dodgy engine antics

March 18, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

It is Lucas Chess that I use and in the previous post I showed how the engine rated 2200 was rather easily beaten, so I then decided to play one rated 2400 but will not be posting a video of that. It was well dodgy and left its queen en prise, so I won again. A pyrrhic victory.

M J M

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Supposedly me at my best!

March 18, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

When we don’t expect the unexpected what then? I made a video of me beating Lucas Chess 2200 engine. I had been playing well earlier in the day and so upped the anti. I didn’t think I could be confident enough to do such a thing but it was well founded as I won convincingly, much to my disbelief. I didn’t have to think that hard either but I did stay very focused! The only conclusion I can draw from this is that I must be better than I thought! I suspect it will be some time before the disbelief passes. Comments on the game are very welcome.

M J M

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Dutch defence win

March 17, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

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Jetlag has cleared off

March 17, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

Jetlag has cleared off, which means this week’s visit to the chess club won’t be the same as last week’s. Overall more pleasant and the sense of occasion greater. My results will improve but probably not greatly.

Presently I am on holiday and have much time to do as I so wish. I have decided to make videos for my site and find my voice with them. This is sharpening me up somewhat, so I won’t be quite so rusty either. Doesn’t mean much at all except that a pleasant evening should be had and that’s something to look forward to. And as you might expect, it’s always pleasant to go into the city and Bangkok chess club is right in the heart of it, leaving you with a slight sense of adventure as well… .

Last week I drank Coke Zero only to help keep me alert and will do so again this week ~~as I don’t want to be carried out and put in a taxi again~~. Should be good.

M J M

Posted in Life beyond the chess board | Leave a Comment »

It came when it wanted to not I

March 14, 2026 by mccreadyandchess

One of Freud’s favourite quotes of Nietzsche comes from his publication Beyond Good and Evil and is ‘A thought comes when it wants not when I want’. Some minutes earlier it occurred to me that it is not, primarily, the function of historians to make predictions but with that said, and the frequency I play chess, most likely I will remain forever rusty -as has been the case for some years already! What a wonderous and inspiring proposition popping out there. I have only played one tournament in the last decade. Schedule doesn’t allow to play more. What to do about that? That thought hasn’t dampened my evening though as it’s always better to write about chess than play it.

Forever rusty Marcus signs off here.

M J M

Posted in Humour | Leave a Comment »

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…on what this site initially became…on what this site is now becoming…on what this site cannot become…

On what this site initially became…

…once upon a time, the chess-related musings of an adrift academic were bound playfully and electronically in this online journal of sorts. They grew and grew as the decade did too. I kept on because I love to write whether I had much to say or not; therefore, being read by others was usually of little or no importance, comparatively speaking. Content was based on personal thoughts and experience on various topics with no intended audience borne in mind. With topics broadening, my own take on things always shaped the narrative I constructed: I often thought I was insightful but never that I was right. Sometimes imagination gave rise to originality: and of that I have always remained proud. I often introduced humour, believing that I am funnier than I really am. Sometimes, I found my own style antithetical to the conservatism I believe chess is plagued by -oftentimes that has put a gracious smile on my face… .

On what this site is now becoming…

…this site is now becoming a collaboration of chess in Bedfordshire: much more so of the past than the present -that has become the dominant trend. I document the history of chess in Bedfordshire as much as I can, and as time has passed I have become more thorough and resourceful. However, I am not a trained historian as my background lies principally in philosophy but yes it is true I did study some modules on history as both an undergraduate and a post-graduate too; furthermore, I have trained myself up, particularly in terms of postmodern history. Since 2015, I have only read history and historiography as well as those philosophers who have been so influential on postmodern history, such as Nietzsche (whom I once wrote a 19,000 word dissertation on, entitled: Can the Will to Power be Found in The Birth of Tragedy?), also Richard Rorty and Foucault and I suppose certain structualists such as Claude Levi-Strauss too. Regarding postmodernism, mostly I keep to Hayden White, Keith Jenkins and Alan Muslow.

Some friends and former playing partners back home describe me as the ‘go to guy’ for the history of chess in Bedfordshire. This compliment says more about the lack of interest in the subject than my own endeavour. As mentioned, I am too adrift from academia to feel chuffed by it. Rather, I tend to lament that my historical research, like my chess, just isn’t what it should be. Even though I may well have a broad understanding of Bedfordshire chess history courtesy of the volume of research put into it, all of which began in 2014, this is not something I am particularly proud of. Nonetheless, out of courtesy compliments are graciously received. If the truth be told, I just see it as my job and only that – after all someone’s got to do it and no one else is that interested!

Amongst the many others, I have created three categories: ‘Bedfordshire Chess’ and ‘History of Bedfordshire Chess’ and ‘Luton Chess Club’. This website is slowly moving towards a consolidation of those (all of which can be found in one of the toolbars to the right).

On what this site cannot become…

…I like to be both creative and amusing when I can be, factor in that playfulness has been an ever-present factor, the content of this site should be thought of as multifarious. It could be said I continue to enjoy undermining the conservatism I believe chess is underpinned by even after all these years, and often try to use humour to do it still, believing I have got better at it. Consequently, despite the general direction its going in, this site cannot only be about Chess in Bedfordshire and nor will it be. It may become noted for that yes -in fact that’s been the case for years already even by established historians, archivists, and whoever else. External factors aside, this site is titled McCreadyandChess. I cannot, nor will I not, remove my own personal thoughts and experiences of chess from the posts of this site -especially if I think they are funny or original for they constitute my writing at its very, very best. In addition, the number of categories alone tells you that breadth of content is important to me. I am proud of my site, it is identity conferring and that is how it shall stay -end of story. All you really have are: ‘Some thoughts on the beautiful game’, which, incidentally, just happen to be my very own; nothing more, nothing less, take of it whatever you please… .

Mark. J. McCready

9.56 pm Monday, October 28th 2024

Bangkok, Thailand
Categories
Posts which McCready is mighty pleased with

Malpractice — Replete with dark humour and literary devices

Bedfordshire Chess in the 70s its past and its future — Local History

Our Clash of Future Champions — Local History

Fond Memories of Bedfordshire Chess — Humour & Reflection

Meme 16 — Dark Humour & Parody

Reflections 20— Reflection & Warm Condolence

Reflections 17 — Colourful reflections from afar
Luton & The University of Bedfordshire Chess Club
The University of Bedfordshire Library, Vicarage St. Luton
01582 743921/07710036246 (Humuyan)
kitefighter@gmail.com
Tuesdays from 7.30 pm, The Library, Ground Floor

Please go to:
https://www.lutonchessclub.com/
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A side note on how to read old Tom Sweby's columns
Not perhaps, but quintessentially, Old Tom Sweby is best thought of as a passionate devotee to the newspapers he wrote for. He was well read and knowledgeable of the Bedfordshire chess scene and well beyond, given that he was the president of the S.C.C.U. once upon a time. He was generally well-respected and rubbed shoulders with many, if not all, of those eminent within British chess circles. It would, however, be a critical mistake to see his column is primary source material entirely. That it is not. You will also find secondary source material quoted too, and the reliability of that is not quite as Tom hoped. Given that he wrote for decades, this is to some degree inevitable, and after all we are all prone to error whether we realize it or not. Thankfully, with regards to old Tom Sweby, they are infrequent and for the most part old Tom continued to document events and developments in the Bedfordshire league from the get go as best he could but, of course, everything lies open to interpretation. Despite this, and generally speaking. this does indeed make him informative and thus worth reading. Dare I say his columns constitute a narrative describing the latest developments, match reports and changing nature of the Beds league...he knew his audience and wrote according. This manifested itself over decades but brevity was always in play courtesy of the restictions imposed by writing a column. Should you wish to read a in instrumental figure of the Beds' league post WW2, you are quite welcome to peruse what has been posted here... . :-) I should, however, point out that as the decades wore on he gradually moved on away from narratives concerning the Bedfordshire league towards affairs both historical and international. The reasons for this are multifarous, old age was a predominante factor presumably, however, the bottom line is with regards to how the Bedfordshire chess scene developed post WW2: old Tom Sweby is your go to guy. He wrote more about chess in Bedforshire than anyone else did but given he was a Lutonian and writing for a Luton newspaper there is both bias and greater coverage of his hometown than the rest of the county.
Gallery

I’m either 10 or 11 here

1982, myself versus Brian from Sunderland.

At the Thai Junior chess championships. My daughter of course.

Pattaya 2011

2011

Thai Junior Championships

2008

2011

Around 2011

2011

Pattaya 2009

2011

Kuwait 2008

2012

2012

2011 BKK Chess club

2011

2011 Thai Open

2011 Thai Open

2013 approx

Around 2014

2010

2012

Around 2011

2011

2011

2013

Around 2011

Around 2011

2020

2011

2008

2011

2013 or thereabouts

2010

2017

2014?

2010

2024

2024

2024
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