Pseudocyst

The adventures and life of a Specialist Nurse in Upper GI and Bariatric surgery. If you then double and triple this by having a primary school age child AND being married to another Nurse then you have double the trouble….aehm I mean fun. Hobbies are playing chess, board games and being taxi for our son!!!

Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this blog are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

writing

  • Why Lichess.org Is a Game-Changer in Online Chess (vs Chess.com and ICC)

    Lichess.org has become a powerhouse in the world of online chess, quietly redefining how millions engage with the game. In a competitive landscape dominated by Chess.com and the Internet Chess Club (ICC), Lichess offers something rare: a fully free, ad-free, and open-source platform with no paywalls. But how does it compare to its rivals, and Read more

  • When Big Brother Finds Your Blog

    My wife barely knows I have this blog—one I update more regularly than our shared calendar. It’s been a quiet space to reflect, share thoughts, and document the highs and lows of working in healthcare. Until recently, I assumed it was a well-kept secret. Turns out… not so much. Luckily, I don’t just write about Read more

  • My First IM norm

    I got my first IM norm in a tournament in 2019. I played in the Champions League in Division B on board 3. Before the tournament you look at the opponents and trying to figure out which game you might be able to push for a win. Looking at the players in the table above Read more

  • 3 0 blitz against GM

    I am small light in the world of chess. But on the rare occasion I can produce some great games. In a lichess tournament (Bundesliga tournament which is twice weekly) I produced a brilliant game against GM Parligras from Romania. In all fairness my opponent – who is over 500 points “heavier” – did not Read more

  • First tournament since 2018

    Last month I had the usual email from a guy call Tim Paulden who organises chess events in Devon. I am still in his address book as I used to play in Devon for Tiverton – just over the border from Somerset. I usually ignore the emails, but this one was about an individual blitz Read more