Name: Murray Provan 

Course: Games Design and Production

Year: 2nd

What made you choose to join the society? 

Chess is a really fun game and a great excuse to meet lots of new people as the game has such universal appeal. Playing over the board is great as you can have a laugh with your opponents and discuss different play styles and strategies. It has also opened up a good opportunity for potential tournaments and contact with the wider chess community.

What sparked your interest in chess? 

I learned to play in primary school but then didn’t play for many years until a few of my friends started to get into it. What really sparked me to get properly back into chess is seeing the look on somebody I taught to play’s face when they first manage to checkmate or beat a tough opponent and the eagerness they’ll speak about it to their friends and family.

Tell us about a memorable game or moment?

Towards the end of high school I ran a chess club where we had a leaderboard on the classroom wall and the top position was king. I played against the current king in a super intense game where the rest of the club came round to watch and I managed to prevail and become king.

If you could play against any chess grandmaster, who would it be? Why?

I would want to play against Bobby Fischer in his prime to experience his genius and relentless but creative play style first hand and for him to give me some pointers on where I can improve on my game outside of just ‘learn openings’.