In Praise of Chess

Michael Blake

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In Praise of Chess

Hampshire Chess stalwart Gillian Moore has penned her third book which is presented here and made freely available to all. This beautiful book of poetry, written during the ‘lockdown’, features many local places and tales that will be familiar to Hampshire players. Lesley Maybee offers the following introduction –

Gillian Moore at the Hampshire Congress
Former British Champion Gillian Moore at the Hampshire Congress

Gillian Moore’s beautifully written book of poetry “In Praise of Chess” will delight both chess players and non-chess players alike. Lovers of poetry will find within the book’s 10 sections a variety of diverse and appealing topics. All do have some connection with chess, even the delightfully written verses about Gillian’s holidays and travels, reflecting upon places visited for her annual tournaments and other chess events. Here her humour and unique style bring such colour and joy to these entertaining adventures that her readers almost feel they are there.

Other sections are more directly dedicated to the deep and varied aspects of the game of chess. It is here that Gillian’s deeply philosophical nature and outlook on life become more apparent, as she often compares the game of chess with the game of life. Her observations on both are profound, giving readers much to think about. All her writing reflects her philosophical outlook on all life’s many experiences. These she expresses with a simplicity that is only possible from a deep understanding of a lifetime of study of yoga and deep daily meditation.

Gillian’s poems along with her humour often have a hidden depth, cleverly crafted and skillfully executed. She is as much an outstanding and skilful poet as she is an outstanding chess player.

Lesley Maybee

Read Online or download the book from here.

The first two books are also still available at no cost –
1. My Chess Career and Holidays – A Book of Memoirs
2. My Chess Revealed – Selected Games with Commentaries