Chapter 20 — The Inner Circle Chess Club

There was always some strife, some political hit list and villainy between the chess adversaries of Leeds. Everyone had their enemies, and I was no different. At the time I was a member of Leeds Chess Club, but Bernie and his band of venals were after my expulsion. After I had heard of my enemies' deeds and their intended expulsion of me from the club on account that I 'was trouble', which I do admit to being at times, I sought the officious advice of the Doctor and John, who, incidentally, were much more troublesome than me.

'Fuck em all, Karl. That's what I say.'

The Doctor was more reserved, 'It's that fucking Bernie Bastard. I'm telling you who's behind it.'

That evening a whole avalanche of tactics and counter tactics were bandied around and slung around until every head was depleted of further stratagem and only alcohol offered even sillier plans. All that remained was the rancour and resentment felt for Leeds Chess Club, and this was only magnified on the Sunday night. We used to play speed chess in the K2 curry house all night, and it was possibly then – I can't remember exactly – that the seed of a new club was planted.

John began: 'Why don't we just set up our own club. We've all played in the lower divisions before, and it would only take a couple of years to get to the top again. We spoke about it on the way here. Manny Wheelman won’t mind joining us, and we only need another to make five players? On Saturday, we'll pick them up as we go along? Tell him, Billy.'

'I can't stand that bastard Bernie,' the Doctor compounded the case.

Playing in a new team meant leaving the echelons and the good play of the higher divisions, but John was right: I no longer played in tournaments and didn't have the obsessive heart any more to become more than a county player, which most of us were at some level. I enjoyed the company of those around me more than the chess and looked forward to a game on Saturday merely as a means of having a good drink in town in the evening.

The deal was struck and all that was left was the name, and only the Doctor had the wherewithal of mind to finalise the name: The Inner Circle Chess Club.

In the first year, the Inner Circle walked with ease the lowest division of LCA chess, and that helped to attract those resting on the perimeter. The Doctor and John were supreme ambassadors for the game, and in a short while, both gentlemen – licence accepted – had recruited enough players to form a Saturday team too. I did my part also, and I was able to get a couple of very strong chess players from Leeds University to join us and create a formidable team.