Barclay's Remarks on Cliff in Albania

I have just belatedly seen Cliff's piece on the website about chess in Albania. Brilliant stuff.

When I was In Germany in the 1960's I saw something of chess in their pub life. It was a bit like darts in English pub life. In England, with typical national reserve, we treat the game more reverently and it is fascinating to see it elsewhere, raw in tooth and claw.

It is war after all.

I cannot remember who was involved, but I do recall once reading of a Grand Master in an international chess tournament who unexpectedly lost his game, stood up on his chair, and shouted into the silence of the tournament room: WHY DO I HAVE TO LOSE TO THESE IDIOTS?

We are so well behaved don't you think?