I was born on 28 July 1950 and educated at Bishop Perrin C of E School, Latymer Upper School and City of Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University) where I gained a BSc in Computer Studies.

I worked full time in the Market Research Industry as a Data Processing Consultant (writing programs to analyse market research data) between 1972 and 1986, when I left to work freelance.

Between 1986 and 1998 I was combining freelance Market Research work with various chess projects. Since 1998 I have been working full time in chess, receiving small salaries as Chess Programme Manager of the Richmond Chess Initiative and Director of Richmond Junior Chess Club, as well as coaching in schools. I also do a small amount of private tuition.

I have been a member of Richmond & Twickenham Chess Club since 1965 and am a player of county standard. I have recently joined the Internet Chess Club where my handle is rjccboss, should you wish to play me there at any time.

I founded Richmond Junior Chess Club with Mike Fox in 1975 and have been its Director since 1979 when Mike moved to Birmingham (where he now runs a successful Junior Chess Club called Checkmate!). I have been paid a fairly nominal sum as Director since 1997 - before then it was entirely unpaid.

Publications:

With Mike Fox:

The Complete Chess Addict (Faber & Faber, 1987)

The Even More Complete Chess Addict (Faber & Faber, 1993) - now out of print

Mike and I have been writing the Addicts' Corner column in CHESS since 1988.