On Thursday 17 November twenty-four Dulwich boys took part in a highly unusual and entertaining event centred on the London Eye, the iconic visitor attraction on the South Bank of the river Thames. The event was organised by Mr Don Morris who is President of the UK Mind Sports Association which seeks to promote intellectual games and pursuits such as chess, bridge, Chinese chess (Xiangqi) and draughts. Accompanying the boys were Dr O’Neill, Dr Avshu and Mrs Whitney-Low.
Dulwich were invited to take part on the suggestion of Raymond Keene OA OBE who is an international chess Grandmaster and who organised the world championship match between Gary Kasparov and Britain’s Nigel Short in 1993. Raymond has been back to the College on Founder’s day over many years to take on boys in a simultaneous chess display.
A reception was held in Riverside Building, County Hall, just a short walk from the Eye. After some welcome food and drinks the boys were briefed on the main event and then at about 8pm walked over with boards and sets to the Eye where the main event began. Ten boys were to play chess, five in each pod, against two Grandmasters: Jon Speelman, twice winner of the British Chess Championships, and Ray Keene himself. In two other pods another ten boys, all boarders from Blew House and Ivyholme, were to play Xiangqi against two invited Chinese Grandmasters, Dong Xizhong and Li Xiaoqiu. A further four boys were to take part in a game of contract Bridge with other members of Richmond and Wimbledon Bridge clubs. The games continued for approximately two hours and two rotations of the giant wheel. The view at night over the city was spectacular and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take on such strong players in such an unusual setting.
The task was a very difficult one for the boys, especially since the play was faster than in a normal simultaneous display due to the small number of players. Nevertheless, Samuel Franklin (MF6B) who is the College’s best player and who has had many notable triumphs in international events, managed twice to hold Jon Speelman to a draw. In the other pod, Rohan Bansal (9L) managed to defeat Ray Keene in one game. The Xiangqi players had a harder time of it and could make no impression on the experts.
All the players were off the Eye about 10pm and after saying goodbyes the team were heading back by coach to the College. All the boys thoroughly enjoyed this highly unusual evening. It was a night to remember for Dulwich College and, we hope, for Mind Sports in general.
Dr O’Neill