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I’m Richard James. I’m a chess tutor and writer living in Twickenham.

I’ve been teaching, organising, promoting and writing about chess for children since 1972.

Discovering the beautiful and exciting game of chess transformed my life back in the 1960s. As a result, I chose to devote my life to giving children an interest in this amazing game.

In 1975, together with the late, inimitable Mike Fox, I co-founded Richmond Junior Chess Club, which rapidly became the strongest children’s chess club in the country. In 1993 I started becoming involved in chess in local schools.

I have an international reputation for my (often controversial) views on children’s chess. While talented children with supportive parents often benefit from starting young, most children would do better starting later and learning more slowly.

Please take a look around, and learn more about exactly what I do and how I do it. Do get in touch if you think I can help you or your children.

You can contact me by email at richard@chessheroes.uk