Stuart at rest in beuatiful Haro and in competitionThe first time I had lunch with Stuart Conquest I knew instantly that he played chess. It took him half an hour to pass the olive oil!
Seriously, if anyone knows how to make the right move it is Stuart. This summer in Torquay he will defend his title as British Chess Champion. It's been a busy year since he won the title in Liverpool in 2008. His crucial final play off game from last year can be seen via this you tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsNVKdneNpQ&feature=related
I first met Stuart in his home town of Haro, La Rioja in the summer of 2005. I asked him just what an International Chess Grandmaster was doing living in Spain?
He told me: "In 1997 I boarded the ferry to Bilbao. I was going to compete in a tournament in Andorra. On board I met a lovely Spanish girl who came from Haro. I wouldn’t miss a Chess tournament for a woman so when it was over I visited her there and I have hardly left the town since. Today Haro is home.
"The population is just 8000 and everyone seems to know each other. The Spanish lifestyle suits my relaxed nature and Chess is respected here as a serious sport. I never felt that was the case in the UK."
Stuart was born in Ilford, Essex but became well known as a child chess prodigy when still at school in the coastal town of Hastings. Spain is a country he has known since he was in his twenties and which he now travels across when competing in Chess tournaments.
"Chess is a great incentive for me to see more of Spain. Since I have lived here I have been seen much of the country and just love the place."
Seriously, if anyone knows how to make the right move it is Stuart. This summer in Torquay he will defend his title as British Chess Champion. It's been a busy year since he won the title in Liverpool in 2008. His crucial final play off game from last year can be seen via this you tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsNVKdneNpQ&feature=related
I first met Stuart in his home town of Haro, La Rioja in the summer of 2005. I asked him just what an International Chess Grandmaster was doing living in Spain?
He told me: "In 1997 I boarded the ferry to Bilbao. I was going to compete in a tournament in Andorra. On board I met a lovely Spanish girl who came from Haro. I wouldn’t miss a Chess tournament for a woman so when it was over I visited her there and I have hardly left the town since. Today Haro is home.
"The population is just 8000 and everyone seems to know each other. The Spanish lifestyle suits my relaxed nature and Chess is respected here as a serious sport. I never felt that was the case in the UK."
Stuart was born in Ilford, Essex but became well known as a child chess prodigy when still at school in the coastal town of Hastings. Spain is a country he has known since he was in his twenties and which he now travels across when competing in Chess tournaments.
"Chess is a great incentive for me to see more of Spain. Since I have lived here I have been seen much of the country and just love the place."
FOR MORE...
*To purchase the 1500 word article on Stuart, before he defends his British title later in 2009, e-mail verninspain@gmail.com
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