Meet Norfolk’s own queen of the chessboard – Eastern Daily Press

The Queens Gambit has been one of the most popular Netflix dramas of 2020. Stuart Anderson spoke to Norfolks own queen of the chessboard.

Its one young womans journey from insecure schoolgirl to national chess champion, set to a backdrop of everyday sexism, Cold War tension and fabulous 1960s fashion.

And its a tale that rings true for Kathleen Hindle, of Cromer, who rose to prominence in the same era and even travelled behind the Iron Curtain to play.

Chess champion Kathleen Hindle at her home in Cromer. - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY

Mrs Hindle, 72, said she was impressed with the accuracy of the Netflix show, especially the atmosphere thats evoked when playing at a big chess tournament.

She said: Everything we experienced was in there - the tension and excitement. [Chess grandmaster]Garry Kasparov was one of the advisors, and they got it absolutely perfect.

Just likeBeth Harmon,the main character from The Queens Gambit, Mrs Hindle came from humble beginnings and grew up in Glasgow.

Kathleen Hindle playing chess in 1965. - Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

It was when maths teacher Gerald Bonner started working at Mrs Hindles school when she was 14 that her life was set in a new direction.

She said: There was a message on the Tannoy saying a new teacher had come to the school and he was starting a chess club - if we were interested we could get out a few minutes early and meet him in the library. Before that Id never seen a chessboard before.

Despite a struggle to be taken seriously by the boys she persevered, becoming the first-ever Scottish girls champion at 17 and Scottish ladies' champion in 1975.

We were a laughing stock in the beginning. Girls just didn't play chess," Mrs Hindle said. "SoI thought Id go home and learn some tricks and traps so I can beat people, especially boys.

Anya Taylor-Joy as chess champ Beth Harmon in The Queen's Gambit. - Credit: Phil Bray/Netflix- Credit: Phil Bray/Netflix

Mrs Hindle said she was once playing forNorfolk at an inter-county contest when her opponent joked with his mates that he wouldnt need long before their game.

After the first few moves he pulled in his seat a bit closer," she said."I played quietly on and was gradually in the better position.

"Then he began to shuffle about a bit and his friends started to giggle. I felt sorry for him, but not that sorry.

Another memorable encounter was playing the Russian grandmaster and four-times world champion Mikhail Botvinnikwhen he visited Scotland.

Chess champion Kathleen Hindle, at her home in Cromer. - Credit: DENISE BRADLEY

She took part in a 'simultaneous' exhibition in which Mr Botvinnik played more than 20 games against different players at the same time.

Mrs Hindle said: I was in awe of him. He was world champion four times and he was a very nice man.

She went on to win the British Girls' Championships and represented Scotland at Chess Olympiads inArgentina, Switzerland, Israel and Malta.

Mrs Hindlewas part of the first girls team to play behind the Iron Curtain in Moscow and Lvov (now called Lviv), whichwas like another world.

Kathleen Hindle, with the 1975 Scottish Ladies' Championship trophy.- Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

She said part of the journey between cities was in a rickety old plane with wooden benches for seats which they shared with goats and other animals.

Mrs Hindle said: That was the age of the miniskirt but in Russia they had seen nothing like it. Women were coming up to us in Lvov in their black shawls just to touch the colours on our skirts. It got a bit hairy, so they gave us an interpreter and a bodyguard."

Mrs Hindle met her husband, Owen, an English internationalplayer, at the British ChessChampionship in Sunderland in 1966.

She said: He had beautiful hands and the way he moved the pieces was absolutely mesmerising.

Mrs Hindle said she had an aggressive style of play, always getting deeply immersed in the game and never leaving the board, even when the rules would have allowed her to move around when her opponent was contemplating their move.

Anya Taylor-Joy as chess champ Beth Harmon in The Queen's Gambit. - Credit: Phil Bray/Netflix

She said: When you see something on the board that you know mightwork out well - theres such a feeling of anxiety but its also a thrill. Then you play your move and press their clock, and when you see it starting to go your way, its a feeling of euphoria.

Mrs Hindle moved to Norfolk when she was 18 and became a teacher,eventually becoming head of history and then assistant headat Cromer High School.

Although she still plays chess she said it was now mostly a young persons game and was astounded by the talent of some of todays top junior players.

Chess in NorfolkWhile Norfolk is home to several chess clubs, the popularity of The Queen's Gambit has not led to a boom in membership for them because the pandemic means all 'over the table' games are on hold.

But Edward Hackford, chairman of the North Norfolk Chess Club, said there were plenty of opportunities to improve your chess game online, on sites such as lichess.org and chess.com.

He said theEnglish Chess Federation had even launched a'Queens Gambit Scheme' to encourage women to get into the game.

Mr Hackford said his top tips for new chess players were:

1. First get a book for "Chess Beginners".

2. Buy a board and a basic, but not elaborate,chess set- and set up the pieces on the board.

3. Learn how each piece moves and remember; although the Queen is the most powerful piece, the King is the most precious.

4. It's all about attack and defence - the pawns are the infantry and your knights, bishops, castles and queen are your main artillery.

5. Keep your King safely protected while you go all out to capture your opponent's King. The first to do that is the winner.

Mr Hackford aded: "When henthepandemic is over, join your nearest chessClub where you will receive a warm welcome whatever your standard, and watch your skill improve.

"You will never forget the fun of playing chess for the rest of your life."

Kathleen Hindle, second from right, at the prizegiving at the 1966 Scottish Chess Championships.On the right is maths teacher, Gerald Bonner, who started the club which got Mrs Hindle into chess. - Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

Kathleen Hindle, ne Patterson, after winning the 1967 British Under-18 Girls' Chess Championship.- Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

Kathleen Hindle, third from right in the front row, pictured with chess players in Lvov in 1967. She was part of the first group of female players to travel behind the Iron Curtain to play the game.- Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

Kathleen Hindle taking part in Mikhail Botvinnik's simultaneous display in Glasgow in 1967. - Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

Kathleen Hindle (second from right) at the Buenos Aires Chess Olympiad in 1978. She is pictured with, from left, Morag McGhee, Nancy Elder, her husband Owen Hindle and Lynne Houston.- Credit: Supplied by Kathleen Hindle

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Meet Norfolk's own queen of the chessboard - Eastern Daily Press