It was back in 1988 that Kevin Hurney played his first ever graded game representing St. James in Division 9.
He acknowledges the standard of chess is not quite the same level as we expect from Kevin these days. However; it’s Kevin’s opponent Mr. Baker that should be slightly embarrassed at having played 9. Nxd4.
Kevin asks that we remember the historical context in which the game was played.
Always with a sense of humour, Kevin brings with him expertise and a sense of fun.
Never shy of stepping forward, his commitment to the cause, both in the past and currently, has been of great importance. Kevin simply feels he’s made a modest contribution.
His early ambition was to reach a grade of 150. He surpassed his objective in July 1996 when he reached 153. In January 2018 after a good run of form, Kevin hit the dizzy heights of a 196 grade, which is almost the grade of a National Master. He is currently 2088 ELO, the equivalent of 185 ECF.
In the mid-80s, Kevin had never played for a chess club but had gone a few times to South Birmingham as a guest with a friend. South Birmingham were playing at Centre 13 in School Rd, Moseley in those days.
On one occasion, Kevin played in a simul against their Club Champion. He didn’t know anybody and is unsure who that top player was. He didn’t record the game but needless to say; Kevin duly won.
Strangely, nobody ever spoke to him about joining South Birmingham. He continued without joining a chess club.
His main sport was Snooker – a skill to which we can attest as the big guy stretches across the Austin snooker tables, clearing up.
Back then, Kev was playing for Greenlands in the Bromsgrove Snooker League and in the Stirchley League. The Snooker Room was next to the large Function Room where the chess was being played. Whilst he was playing snooker on a Monday, his brother Tim was playing chess in the next room. He used to pop in to chat to Tim and watch him play…
One evening, Denis Beckett greeted Kevin and set him up, playing a game against somebody. Denis talked Kevin into playing in Division 9 with Ian Ellis and Ian’s father. Kevin believes, John Hicks’s dad was Captain… His first match was against, who else, but none other than South Birmingham.
Years later, Kevin went back to South Birmingham looking to play at a higher level. Kevin returned to us a few years back and now plays Board 1 for Longbridge in the Worcestershire Chess League.
LONGBRIDGE CHESS CLUB 