Q. When did you first start playing Chess?

I learned how to play chess when I was eight. My father taught me. We'd play a couple games a month. He was basically the only person I played until I entered my first tournament when I was twelve.

Q. Do you prefer the white piece of the black piece?

 No preference. Though I have scored a little better with black.

Q. What are you favourite openings?

 Queen's Gambit.

Q. What are your thoughts on Chess in Newfoundland compared to chess in other provinces (if applicable)

I can't really compare because I know practically nothing about chess in other provinces. Based on the number of mids playing and the results at the nationals, I believe that chess in the schools in Newfoudland is doing quite well. However, the adult chess scene in the province is pretty quiet. While the level of play is good, the number of adult players is light.

Q.. Have chess helped you develop other skills in life?

 

Chess has definitely helped me in other aspects of life. It has taught me focus, disciple, foresight and that I am responsible for my actions. It has shown me the value of hard work and how to deal with adversity. It has fed my competitive urges and taught me how to win and how to lose.

 

Q. Do you have any advice you could offer to any aspiring players?

 

To an aspiring player... Only play chess if you enjoy it. Don't do it just because you're good at it or your parents want you to do it, etc. Find out why you like to play chess and then feed it. For me, it was two things: competition and improvment. I loved the battle, the tension, the competition. I loved to win and hated to lose. I also loved the feeling I got when I could feel my playing strength improving. That's why I always wanted the tough pairngs at tournaments. I always wanted to play the players better than me - players like Jim Duffett, Rolf Rees, Warrick Walker. After all, the best ways to improve is to play people who are stronger than you. As much as I hated losing, I was always willing to "take a lesson" from one of these players if it made me better. I studied a lot (because I enjoyed it) - openings, middlegames, endgames. The best chess book I read was "My System" by Nimzovitch. My two cents worth - make chess fun for yourself, study it as much as you enjoy it and play people better than you as much as possible.