[aljolson]

I know that Steve davis(the snooker player) is a good chess player, but does anyone know of any other notable people who play?

[Nirgilis]

A quick google brought up this:

http://www.geocities.com/siliconvall...378/famous.htm


Do you consider the current chess champions as celebrities?

[aljolson]

No i was thinking more along the lines of people who have other careers. I did play a game against a team which included nigel short's dad, but i dont consider him a celebrity.

[obviouslystudying]

Recently saw in the news that Libyan president Gaddafi played chess with some visiting russian. Whether he is considered celebrity or if he plays crap, idk.

[Gofre]

Wladimir Klitschko is supposedly a very good player.

[aljolson]

(Original post by Gofre)
Wladimir Klitschko is supposedly a very good player.

I played in the Birmingham and district chess league, Birmingham University could hardly field a team. Now boxers and snooker players have more brains than wannabe graduates. Chess should be a must for all academia.

[Gofre]

(Original post by aljolson)
I played in the Birmingham and district chess league, Birmingham University could hardly field a team. Now boxers and snooker players have more brains than wannabe graduates. Chess should be a must for all academia.

Just to get technical, but Klitschko is a graduate. He has a Ph.D in sport science, and not one of those honorary degrees they give to celebrities now.

[aljolson]

(Original post by Gofre)
Just to get technical, but Klitschko is a graduate. He has a Ph.D in sport science, and not one of those honorary degrees they give to celebrities now.

I have no problem with klischko's of this world, I was taught chess by a German POW, I am worried about the lack of interest by the so called next generation, is it chess or yard of ale?

[miser]

Aleister Crowley was a strong chess player. Of course there have also been celebrities that are famous because of the success of their chess careers such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov, Joshua Waitzkin, Alexander Alekhine, and the like.

Edit: Benjamin Franklin was a strong player too I remember reading.

[Gofre]

(Original post by aljolson)
I have no problem with klischko's of this world, I was taught chess by a German POW, I am worried about the lack of interest by the so called next generation, is it chess or yard of ale?

I was referring to how you said "Now boxers and snooker players have more brains than wannabe graduates" when Klitschko is himself the holder of one of the highest classes of degree attainable, so it's hardly surprising.

[Hedgeman49]

Will Smith is a very good player, a fan of the Sicilian Dragon I believe.

[robertsjohnb]

it is good.

[aljolson]

(Original post by Hedgeman49)
Will Smith is a very good player, a fan of the Sicilian Dragon I believe.

The Dragon, respect to anyone brave enough to play this, it's total war. I prefer the lopez, but do play the Marshall Gambit from both sides, and have beaten some very good players with it.

[Hedgeman49]

(Original post by aljolson)
The Dragon, respect to anyone brave enough to play this, it's total war. I prefer the lopez, but do play the Marshall Gambit from both sides, and have beaten some very good players with it.

I tend to play the Lopez as white and change it up a bit as black, I've played the Dragon a few times but I'm not very confident with it so I wouldn't use it in tournament play.

[rbnphlp]

einstein was a decent chess player , rated like 1300-1400

[aljolson]

(Original post by rbnphlp)
einstein was a decent chess player , rated like 1300-1400

I am not surprised about einy,sheer intellectual genius.Now I am wondering about Stephen hawking

[KennyLego]

Jerry Sadowitz the scottish comic and magician is a top class chess player, he plays often at a chess club in camden. He's a very bright guy.

[aljolson]

(Original post by Hedgeman49)
I tend to play the Lopez as white and change it up a bit as black, I've played the Dragon a few times but I'm not very confident with it so I wouldn't use it in tournament play.

I have a serious problem to d4 when playing with the black pieces, I only counter with nf6, and usually end up in a benko gambit, not too succsessful.

[Nirgilis]

(Original post by aljolson)
The Dragon, respect to anyone brave enough to play this, it's total war. I prefer the lopez, but do play the Marshall Gambit from both sides, and have beaten some very good players with it.

The dragon is my favourite opening as black .. As you say, it is total war

Have you ever considered joining the TSR Chess Society Chat? It's in my sig if you fancy

[Hedgeman49]

(Original post by rbnphlp)
einstein was a decent chess player , rated like 1300-1400

That's not really that good... for me I'd say "decent" is 1800