Category: Sue
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Millionaire Open, Atlantic City
We are now both in Atlantic City, New Jersey where Gawain is currently competing in the Millionaire Open. Unfortunately I don’t think you can become a millionaire this year as prizes as well as the entry fee was reduced from the previous editions. After we split up last time I headed to Texas (more on…
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Announcement and exploring the United States
Hello readers (again), I hope some of you are still reading our blog and yet again I’m so very sorry for not updating more often. Things have been manic job wise for the last few months and now I’m officially unemployed. From now on things will be very different in our household. We are leaving…
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Dubai Blitz Winner & Dubai Open
Gawain is in the final stages of the 18th Dubai Open, tomorrow will be round 8 (so only 2 more rounds left) and currently he”s leading with GM Vladmir Akopian, Boris Savchenko & Ivan Sokolov ( who I think is the national UAE coach). He’ll be on Board 1 facing the Armenian GM Akopian. You…
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Reykjavik Open 2016
I’ve now been to Iceland so often that I know how to spell the capital city Reykjavik. It’s one of my most favourite places in the world to visit and it’s such a cool place to be a chess player. Obviously the city is rich in chess history with the “Match of the Century” taking…
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Gib & A Giveaway
Last weekend I managed to pop over to Gib to visit Ga (Nils & Erik too). It was roughly a smooth 3 hour flight from Heathrow and lands on the peninsula itself. It was forecast to be a beautiful day and seeing the Atlas Mountains and the Rock itself from my seat on the plane…
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Quantum Chess
Have you seen this video featuring Stephen Hawking and Paul Rudd? If not, you should watch it. I don’t know anything about quantum physics but the chess wasn’t ridiculous. Quantum Chess was originally created by Alice Wismath from Queens Univesity, Belfast but the version they play in the video is different. According to the Nerdist, a kickstarter…
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Tradewise Gibraltar 2016
Today is the first round of the Tradewise Gibraltar Masters. This is such a strong event and it seems to get stronger every year! Gawain is 28th seed and is sharing an apartment with GM Nils Grandelius & GM Erik Blomqvist from Sweden. This is such a fun tournament to visit as a spectator and…
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Happy New Year and the New Zealand Chess Open
Today is Round 2 of the New Zealand Chess Open. The tournament is being held at the New Zealand National Chess Center in Devonport (weddings can be held in the church venue) – the brainchild of NZ’s only GM Murray Chandler. You can read more about the chess center here. There are 6 Grandmasters in…
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Politiken Cup
It’s summertime and probably the peak time of year if you are a chess professional. There are many tournaments all over Europe that can be so fun to play in. Last year we went to Ikaros and spent a lovely week there. Like last year, Gawain is now playing in the Politiken Cup held in…
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4NCL Final Weekend
The final weekend of the Four Nations Chess League (otherwise known as the 4ncl) always falls on the first May bank holiday. This time the venue was Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire. The last two weekends have moved to the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport where all Division 1 &2 will be played next season. I…
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Paris in the Springtime
I’m lucky enough to be able to travel in my job (not as much as Ga) and this time we headed to Paris. I didn’t know what to expect as I’ve never been before – we were meant to go for my friend Larissa’s 21st but unfortunately during this time I had my passport/visa issues…
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Happy 24th Birthday to me
10 days ago, I turned 24. I was in a way dreading it but I’m so happy with my life. I kind of felt like now I will be heading into “proper” adulthood, that now I wouldn’t be able to do childish thing not that I’m so immature or anything. I guess most people would…
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Rugby Mania
So in my last post I mentioned my new sport, rugby. It all started last year while watching the London 7s at Twickenham. We went as a big group and me and my friend thought we could out do our husbands – we were not so confident in our rugby skills so decided to try…
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Happy (Belated) New Year
Dear Readers, I’m so sorry it has been so long since we have last written an update. Obviously life has been busy and so many things have happened! Gawain played his first match in December at Kensington Olympiad during the London Chess Classic, this was a great experience for him. He played his Guildford (from…
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Poker Stars Isle of Man Chess International
Back in April, we found out about a strong chess tournament that was going to be held in the Isle of Man. Now it’s October and the first round starts today. The line up is impressive with Gawain being 7th seed. In the Masters the first prize is £6000 and the ladies 1st prize is £2000.…
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2014 Chess Olympiad
My last Olympiad was in Khanty Mansiysk playing for New Zealand in 2010. I missed the 2012 Istanbul Olympiad due to visa issues. I was denied a spousal visa for the UK but it sorted itself out. Unfortunately, I was without my passport for 9months but I have it back now. Since then, I switched…