Profiles
Peter Biggs
Home Office & Justice / GLCC / Upminster
1. What are your earliest chess memories?
I started playing chess when I was 7. My father taught me how to play and I was immediately hooked. By the time I was 13 I managed to beat my father for the first time. After that he wouldn't play me again and bought me a chess challenger 7! lol. Trouble is I beat that computer on the hardest level about 6 months later. I first joined the Upminster Club when I was around 19–20 in the Essex League and later joined the Home Office Club when I was about 21–22 in 1989–90. I have been playing competitive chess ever since and will probably continue to do so until the day I pass on from this mortal coil.
2. How long have you been playing chess?
35 years.
3. How active are you in the chess world? (e.g. number of games a year)
About 45–50 games/matches a year. I now play in three clubs, HOJCC, GLCC & Upminster (where I grew up). I enjoy the game and will never give it up. Ideally I want to play as much chess as possible, perhaps even to go abroad to play in tournaments one day if I ever get good enough to qualify.
4. What was your best chess experience?
I think it was playing in a couple of simultaneous matches against Jon Speelman where I nearly beat him. The first game lasted 55 moves and was very close with only one pawn in it. The second match he had to take two moves back. I think he was just too tired at the time. He was a great guy to know, very friendly and approachable. He reckoned my playing strength on the first simul was around 150 which I have been trying to reach ever since grade wise. I'm currently graded 140 so it's not that far away. He inspired me to improve my game ever since.
5. And what was your worst?
I don't really have any bad chess experiences as I enjoy the game whether I win, lose or draw.
6. Which historical (i.e. dead) chess player do you most admire and why?
Don't know any! lol.
7. Who is your current chess hero / heroine, if any?
Jon Speelman – See above.
8. Which part of the game do you enjoy the most?
Definitely the tactical side to the game. I just love working out chess problems and really enjoy a complicated positional and tactical game.
9. What piece of advice would you give to a young player who was just starting out?
Just enjoy the game and not worry too much about the result. It's the game itself that matters. If you want to improve your game then learning opening strategy and tactics are crucial. Practice makes perfect!
10. You are going to be marooned on a desert island with only a chess set for company. Which chess book would you take with you?
Don't know any books well enough to say but a book on the best tactical games would be enjoyable.