By Julian Way

The season began for me with a complex win over Phil Gregory of Wimbledon and this seemed to set the tone for the rest of the season. Chaos was a constant companion as I consciously decided to look for complications.

In my earlier incarnation (1980-89), when I played in tournaments regularly, my play was heavily influenced by Tigran Petrosian after reading the book Tigran Petrosian: his life and games by Vasiliev. I particularly admired his prophylactic style and would trot out the Petrosian System against the King’s Indian as often as I got the chance. My play was strong but lacked adventure. I got a FIDE rating of 2300 using this style of play and fashioned myself as a positional animal.

I gave up serious chess during the nineties and most of the noughties and even now confine myself mainly to club chess. However, my style is changing. I am now working my way through Bent Larsen’s Best Games by Bent Larsen and even wrote an article about him for this website at the beginning of the season. The article was effectively a eulogy of Bent Larsen’s style which is characterized by a spirit of adventure.

I have broadened my opening repertoire in an attempt to steer my games into unchartered territories and have changed my philosophy of playing. I now see myself in a creative guise. Of course, if I am provoked, I can become combative, but on the whole I am a quiet beast who likes to create patterns on the board. I particularly like the hippopotamus opening with its enchanting symmetry and enjoyed Andrew Martin’s DVD on the opening.

I like the Foxy Openings DVDs although I think books leave a deeper impression on the soul. Larsen has enchanted me and I look forward to studying other masters. I have Smyslov in my sights and want to look at some games of Capablanca. Further reflections on these masters may find their way onto this website.

I also enjoy visiting the chess centre in Baker Street and like to browse through the books there. A recent book which appealed to me was How to Study Chess by Andrew Soltis (one of my favourite writers). The chapter on ‘endgame phobia’ looked particularly interesting.

During the summer I hope to play in some one day tournaments. I like the tournaments at Richmond and Golders Green. The rapidplay time limit (all the moves in 30 minutes) is fun and offers a welcome distraction from club chess. I may even venture to a couple of weekenders.

In the mean time I will inhabit the coffee shops and read Kingsley Amis. But I digress!