THE BUTLER HARA-KIRI GAMBIT

‘You’re not doing very well, I’m afraid.” It’s Wednesday morning and Eamon Keogh and I are playing chess on the banks of the Grand Canal. It’s a glorious sunny day and a gaggle of swans have glided over to see what’s going on. But the two-time Irish champion is unimpressed. He tuts quietly and leans across the table to offer some constructive criticism.

“Both of those were terrible moves, to be honest with you,” he says. “I mean, your first move was bad. But the second is practically an international disaster.” He shakes his head. There are many renowned opening strategies in chess. This one I’m calling the ‘Butler Hara-Kiri Gambit’. Read the rest of this entry »