Wish I could play this wonderful game properly.

My favourite player is Bent Larsen, ever since I found a copy of his 'Selected Games of Chess' in my local library. I love his attitude to the game, as a struggle, even if I don't always agree with some of his opinions.

My favourite Larsen quote:
"As a matter of fact, I believe Bronstein knows more about the King's Indian than I do but - come on and fight!"

My own chess is better summed up by
"Stupidity got us into this mess. Why can't it get us out?"

I'm a die-hard Alekhine's defence player, despite all the stick the opening seems to attract from people who don't play it, and my results are pretty good with it.

I'm an expert on British spiders - hence my username, and I can't function without a book to read - usually something by Iain Banks, Mary Gentle, Steven Erickson, Sheri S. Tepper, Guy Gavriel Kay, or anyone who can really write (i.e. use language to express themselves properly).

Most of all though, I love the game of chess. I respect anyone who can play the game, particularly if they can do it better than I can (which is plenty).