GM Keith Arkell and “Arkell’s Odyssey”

GM Keith Arkell and “Arkell’s Odyssey”

Wow! You are so not going to believe this! Yesterday 26/08/24, I met up GM Keith Arkell after he won the Leyland Congress. Before we went for a pint with the MCF chess gang, Keith gave me a signed copy of his autobiography called “Arkell’s Odyssey”

I was absolutely over the moon and shortly afterwards I found myself quickly flicking through the book whilst at the bar.

Arkell’s Odyssey looked humorously written with supporting pictures, the book is about him recounting many of his highs and lows fears and phobias, triumphs and tragedies, as well as recalling some of his memorable games, each a little landmark along the way. To me, most importantly was how he got into chess!! I thought to myself, “this is my kinda of chess book” and with that, quickly popped it into my handbag.

I literally have hundreds of chess books on the shelves in the library at the Community Chess Club, but unfortunately this little beauty won’t be joining them. This book is my new pride and joy – and thank you Mr. Arkell for giving it to me!!

(Below) Keith sat with good friends Julian Clissold (Bolton) and Dave Clayton (Leyland) after a good day of chess at the Leyland Chess Congress 2024

I first first saw Keith and his friend GM Bogdan Lalic at the Ian Lamb Memorial Congress at Bolton Arena 2023 Manchester. I never actually got meet or speak to them until a year later.

(Neither Gm Keith Arkell or GM Bogdan Lilac is the player who fell asleep)

At the 2024 Manchester Chess Congress I needed to double check the MCF Congress equipment which meant I was one of the last to leave, so after do the stock-take (which was spot on) I spied Keith and his friend Bogdan chilling in the foyer and thought, “sod it”, so after biting the bullet I went over and introduced myself to Keith and wow! – what a great guy, next minute I’m off down the pub with Keith on one arm, Bogdan on the other with Julian’s credit card in my back pocket. My job was to buy them a pint and keep them entertained until the rest of the chess gang turned up. The rest is history as you can tell by the picture below.

The offshoot to the above is that because Keith is such a genuinely warm and welcoming kinda guy I picked up the courage to ask if he would play in the odd league match for Eccles if he happened to be passing, it was a bit of a long shot considering Keith lives in Devon and Eccles is in Manchester, but hey, nothing to lose by asking, what’s the worst thing he can say? So I asked and waited with baited breath and with disbelief and pleasured surprise he said, “yeah why not, put my name on the Eccles players list as playing the odd game for Eccles if I’m in the area”, I was so blown away by his answer and no doubt the members of Eccles Community Chess Club will be also. I thought, well done me and with that skipped all the way home feeling very pleased with myself

Keith if you are reading this – I hope you’ve enjoyed being back in Manchester as much as we’ve enjoyed having you – thank you so much for my wonderful book and myself and all at team Eccles look forward to the day when you can show your support for all that we do promoting Chess in the Community by playing for Eccles in a league match…

Until next time – Check Mate 🤗

Barbara – Chess Journal