What happens at Chess Club....

 stays at Chess Club.

The First Rule of Chess Club....

            ....is never talk about Chess Club.

The Second Rule of Chess Club ....

            ....is never talk about Chess club.

The Fifth Rule of Chess Club....

        .....is only 2 people to a fight.

So it was on the 8th October 2021, that the intrepid sub group of "The Bicyclists" (not a lesbian or duo-sexual animal group, but people who prefer riding on machines with 2 wheels) joined in at the Iron Duke - the Duke of Wellington, at Macquarie Street, 6pm Thursday nights.

Our hosts were Katinca and Doug - and they have 10 sets of large piece chess - with large silicone mats.

Our group comprised Demon Kozlow, Killer Kimber and Fitzgibbon J (honourary justice). The others from the pub and club were Oscar (a young bloke from WA keen on mathematics), and only then the pub operators.

Apparently the Duke is well known for music, and some Thursdays are live music nights. That wouldn't work with chess, but the piped music and the host's singing along made it quite pleasant. Other patrons in the pub were light on. It was warm, bright, and comfortable. The hosts were chatty and courteously welcoming.

Now, the mats are a revelation. You can put your chess pieces in a little bag, and with a silicone mat, which is foldable or rollable and doesn't crease, you can "go anywhere and play chess!"

Image: the 'Demon Kozlow' fresh from the Worlds, and with a furious and forceful play style - thumping the piece down with clear determination (following shortly after a long period of indecision).

DK dealt with Kimber with two deadly blows. First, a fundamental mis-move mid game, when Kimber was down 3 important pieces, he mistakely tendered his Queen. Gifted like this Demon Kozlow generously offered to play the game out as if that move had not been taken. 4 more moves and the game was "OVER".

Remember rule 1: "Never talk about Chess Club".

We adjourned then for a pint of something amber, pizza ordered, and DK presented his "GO" sets for inspection and for an education session.  I can say I'm starting to cotton on, but definately needs time and compassion. The concepts are not aligned to chess, and many fires can be underway simultaneously.

Lesson from both games: if you wish to extend your concentration, in an enjoyable manner, play a game which involves thought and skill. Forget about TV, Netflix, get into games!

Signing off now to go for a bike ride and shed a bit of excess fat. Yours, the Duke.

Images:

A chess test recently completed on Whatsapp - mate in 2?

Your scribe: about to impel down the front stairs on his last day of work 1st October 2021: "One small step for mankind"..."More time for Chess"

Image: from Museum of Modern and Old Art, Berriedale: what does not happen at Chess Club:

My nephew Josh about to be excoriated and rimmed (metaphorically):

For those who haven't been to Chess Club, but are used to the bordellos of Paris and London, and like dress ups: 

One is a Queen, one a King. Guess which: