English Chess Forum

Two quotes from Sue Perkins in the Radio Times 12-18th April page 146:-
"A lot of chess players are socially awkward or their brain doesn't work quite the same as other people's, yet they find this incredible mastery and command over something when they play chess" and later "Doing Chess Masters was great, because I met people from the neurodivergent community"
How should I take this?

Joe Skielnik wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 4:29 pm

How should I take this?

Do you find it controversial?

It could be taken in different ways. Sue P says she suffers from ADHD in the article. However as a well known media personality her views are respected by many people, young and old. Perhaps my question should be:- "Is this how we want chess to be portrayed?"

Speaking as a member of the neurodivergent community, I quite like Perkins's comment.

Joe Skielnik wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 6:24 pm

It could be taken in different ways. Sue P says she suffers from ADHD in the article. However as a well known media personality her views are respected by many people, young and old. Perhaps my question should be:- "Is this how we want chess to be portrayed?"

If what she said is true, then chess is being portrayed accurately.

Is it entirely true though?

Few things are *entirely* true.

I suppose Sue could have said a lot of chess players are dull middle aged men who bring profound mediocrity to their chess. But she does have a TV show to sell.

Not sure that she is selling it very well. However if they make a second series I may have to eat my words.

From the current Radio Times, a review by Frances Taylor starts "Some chess purists have criticised this programme for not airing all the games in their entirety, or for being too popularist in its approach. And to them I say: yah boo sucks."
Not sure I follow? Is Yah Boo a grandmaster?

Paul Cooksey wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 11:19 pm

I suppose Sue could have said a lot of chess players are dull middle aged men who bring profound mediocrity to their chess. But she does have a TV show to sell.

Yes and she is being paid to write too;therefore wants to be read or at least the publication wants to be read,

Joe Skielnik wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:51 am

Not sure that she is selling it very well. However if they make a second series I may have to eat my words.

I thought she looked more interested in being paid than in chess itself.

IM Jack Rudd wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 7:14 pm

Speaking as a member of the neurodivergent community, I quite like Perkins's comment.

Jack, is eccentricity viewed as a form of neuro diversity?

MJMcCready wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 28, 2025 2:34 pm

Joe Skielnik wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 16, 2025 10:51 am

Not sure that she is selling it very well. However if they make a second series I may have to eat my words.

I thought she looked more interested in being paid than in chess itself.

That is probably true tbf.

"I thought she looked more interested in being paid than in chess itself."

That would not be surprising. Many years ago, "Blue Peter" were filming in the docks at the Pool of London, and my father (who was in Customs there) reported that as soon as the cameras stopped, John Noakes and Valerie Singleton switched off the smiles, and grabbed a coffee or a paperback and relaxed before the next shot. Peter Purves happily chatted to everyone.

But, it is the job to be animated on camera and I can understand presenters putting on an act whilst so doing, then switching off before the next shot.