A Knight of Chaos
David Hardy • 15 May 2025
This week David was away and he left Pete and Steve in charge of the evening.
The knight was quiet to begin with until we had an influx and 3 new members arrived.
To keep things simple we all just remained in the hall to play friendly games which did get quite noisy at times.
The tuck shop opened as soon as a queue formed (about 6:50 rather than 7:30) and Steve did a great job in upselling chocolate and suggary sweets to the children.
The evening finished slightly ahead of schedule so we were able to pack up, tidy up and be ready for the caretaker to throw us out.

Week 2 without Dave... Paul, Joel and Sacha held the fort this week. Joel organised a demo for everyone and there will be another team puzzle competition next week. Steve was away so the Tuck Shop had to run itself. Steve sent a message from his holiday stating he had been playing Belgium opposition and won both games. No mention of expanding his Tuck Shop Empire overseas...

Dave is off on his holidays for a few weeks and this week Steve, Joel and Pete were left in charge. Steve was in charge of the Tuck Shop - his natural environment Joel looked after Davids group Pete looked after his beginners group. All went well...Steve got served at his own Tuck Shop by Pete, Joel brought the wrong charger for his laptop and Pete got diverted by road works and had a tour of Ashton. Highlight of the evening was Pete playing a game in the hall and being pleased to end in a Rook&Pawn vs Rook endgame. Joel and Tim kindly came over and said Pete should win - but didn't tell him how ! Perhaps a lesson for next week by Joel... Steve is away next week teaching some Italians how to play their own opening and Pete has a busy social schedule so both can't make it....leaving Joel, Paul and Sacha in charge. Steve has left instructions on his Tuck Shop layout and how to ensure the cupboard is put away correctly - "as long as it all fits in it will be fine"

This week Paul was sunning himself on holiday, Steve was in London trying to talk to Southerners and Sacha was in bed with the lurgy. This left Pete in sole charge of the evening. Surprisingly things went smoothly, friendly games were played, the Tuck Shop opened as soon as people waved money and the evening ended on time.

Dave is taking a break somewhere more sunny than Ashton and has left Paul, Sacha, Steve and Pete in charge - a rota has even been produced to make sure all is in order. Sacha and Paul have been running sessions in the hall for the more advanced players and Pete has looked after the beginners. Tuck Shop King Steve has rebranded the Tuck Shop with a new logo - designed by a top London advertising agency which has sadly used the profits from the last 2 years...