Mark Howitt's Blog

Sunday, 31 December 2023

Chess REVIEW

So........

When I started messaging Steve on fb I didn't really know if I would go back to otb chess...

God hadn't even wanted me to think about it.

When I moved house my parents made sure they took my chess trophies with me. And my Yorkshire chess jumper.

What can you think as a 39 year old coming back to chess...

Steve had basically managed to keep Hudds OTB chess going over COVID...

Just think about that for a second.

OBVS people know I am V ANTI COVID restrictions...

Anyway...

So I just came in and thought if I can't do it OTB decent now I'll never be able to do it...

Beat someone nearly 2300 online which is nice... bit of online chess is fine... even Tim Hilton does it...

So just played everyone I could quick...

And lost to his 12 year old son! That's the first time anyone even informally has beaten me since jan 2007 otb.

I did manage to beat him the next game though...

But he could go far... if he wants to...

Anyway I did manage to beat an old nice guy... even though I spent a lot of time...

I have to balance it with all other goals but ideally want to do more OTB...

Goal Review 2023

So........

Let's just blast into it...

First one of these... for a WHILE

Covid didn't help really did it lols...

Anyway........

Overall goals same as other years...

I'm only going to talk about people, fitness and chess though!

So... was working for NEW DAY for part of 2023... nice company in some ways! I like helping people with money! Met some cool people there like IZZY LABBETT (although this not in 2023)... actually related to MARK LABBETT... star of ITV's THE CHASE...

And Beth Baron... I think she's still there!!

CHRIS BAILEY... is like a maniac!

Sometimes he emails me 5 times a day...

When does he sleep I just don't KNOW... it's not like I'm writing this at 4.34am

Chris Bailey thinks he can be my writing and life coach and he is NOT BAD at being it...

But... MARK HOWITT KNOWS ;)

I've actually worked on my fitness more this year than for many years esp after not eating lots of NEW DAY FREE FOOD... actually ate no crisps or chocolate for 3 months...

And lost over 2 stone :)

And did more stewarding! 7.5/10 for fitness no alcohol or drugs...

Much more to come!