This article was first published in CHESS in January, 2001. It is republished here (slightly edited by the webmaster) with permission.
Railway's End
or
How we became the guests of Garry Kasparov
When the first splash appeared in The Times to the effect that the World Chess Championship was to be held at the Hammersmith Riverside Studios, four chess buffs from Sheffield decide to pay a visit.
I will name the buffs for posterity.
Myself, John Brewitt, Barry Oakes and Steve Mann. Steve is a well-known organiser and BCF member. The other three are ex-police officers who have played in the Sheffield and Yorkshire leagues for thirty to fifty years.
The Plan
John Brewitt would organise the trip and must now qualify for the British Tourist Board's Certificate of Merit.
Tickets for the train were obtained two months in advance. The game decide on was the eleventh, on the theory the match would then be at a critical point.
We would all meet at Sheffield station to catch the 10:20 am train direct to London. Meet one Dave Biffen from Norwich Chess Club (ex-Sheffield member), arrive at London around 1 pm., to to the Chess and Bridge shop to make a purchase. After spending some cash we would catch the underground tube to Hammersmith. Then take food and water and amble into the Studios.
What Occurred
Full of excitement we all arrived at Sheffield station in good time to do a bit coffee housing, during which time a dreadful tannoy informed us that the train would be one hour late. More coffee.
After one hour we were informed that the train would not be arriving, but if we crossed over to another platform another train would be going to London. In a mad dash through a crowd of thousands, we managed to board a red monster and after settling down were informed on three occasions that the train was undergoing repairs.
After another twenty minutes the train moved off and we were informed that we had to change at Derby. Eventually arriving at Euston station two hours late and not having time to visit the Chess and Bridge shop. Sorry - all loss of profits to be claimed from the railways.
We gang of four, still in good humour, then dashed on to the underground and were just about to buy tickets when another dreadful tannoy voice informed us that there was a fire on the line and to use another route. Arriving at the Studios two hours late we then found our seats had been taken.
Now comes the chess bit. A kind lady escorted us to the front row where there were four empty seats with a large notice which said "For the guests of Garry Kasparov" and this is where we all sat - the best seats in the house. As we took the seats spectators looked at us in awe with a comment from one bearded gent - "Must be Russian?" Another said "No, by their accents - from the Ukraine!" Of course, Yorkshire accents might sound like that to a Londoner. And the time the journey took we could indeed all have come from the Ukraine.
Anyway, looking at the demonstration board, it was obvious there had been a lot of wood chopping by the players.
Kasparov had a rook and six pawns verus Kramnik's two bishops and three isolated pawns. Listening through the earphones was very interesting. However, this posed the question "What is the difference between two IMs and one GM?" Actually, quite a lot.
The two IMs stated that Kasparov, with his rook and united passed pawns, had a winning position - although one IM changed his mind, keeping his options open. You have to when you write books ...
Then along comes Dr John Nunn who, after listening to the IMs, said in a pleasant manner "You are wrong - this is a dead draw" and gave the procedure for the draw which was replicated by the two players to the last move.
After the match ended, being at the front, we obtained some very good snaps.
Finally, having time on our hands, we decided to head for Simpsons-in-the-Strand - the Mecca of English chess. With kind assistance of the doorman we were allowed to wander around the premises, breathe in the history of the hallowed halls. I'm sure I saw the ghost of Staunton on the stairs.
We arrived back in Sheffield 3:30 am.
Postscript. Sorry we did not make it to the Chess and Bridge Centre. We would like to thank the kind staff at the Studios for allowing five chess maniacs loose on the premises.
But it was a pity that Michael Adams was not in attendance to show Kasparov how to beat Kramnik.
In the picture, left to right, are Barry Oakes, Bill Pettigrew, John Brewitt and Steve Mann.
