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1970s, 80s and 90s
Rupert Jones recalls his early days at the club in the seventies.
"My first game in the league was at Alwoodley against someone with a Polish name in the 77/78 season for Leeds. I lost a long fight and he played the Polish! I joined the club in September 76 as dad was a big friend of Bill Hyde who in the late-90s was the Lord Mayor.
"Bill was a friend of AG Sunderland and set up my first trip to Leeds Chess Club - all connections from when dad was curate in Cross Gates. I remember Sunderland trying very hard to be nice to me and playing me a few games while blowing vast amounts of cigarette smoke my way.
"That season I just played in the bottom division of the internal league. I remember beating a ten year-old Angus Dunnington, which started a lifelong friendship.
"My second game was versus Mike Farley who I have played in every decade since. I was a piece up and he swapped off everything. I missed winning chances and drew.
"My first win was an adjudication versus Wakefield, followed by four draws, including a won position against Gerry Acey (Leeds University) who still plays for Shropshire.
"I played six matches that season and I was the no 7. We won the league as our team was Gary Senior, Pete Swallow, Mike Walker, ACL Dyson, Stu Howieson, myself and Ken Appleby.
"Memories ..."
In an article for CHESS magazine from 2018, Bernard Hare (using a pseudonym) wistfully recalls his time as club secretary in the 80s and 90s.
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