Leon Watson @LeonWatson Twitter profile

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 months

Who's that little boy in the Financial Times taking on Bodhana at ChessFest? 🤣🤣🤣

Chess: Bodhana, nine, takes on 20 in Trafalgar Square after England call-up

Puzzle: can you win in three moves?

www.ft.com

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Jodie Comer made of cabbage. My vote for #LambethCountryShow veg competition

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 months

Some of the replies to this make me feel sick. Racist abuse directed at a 9-year-old 🤮. The ignorance is astounding. Bodhana is a British schoolgirl with a huge talent and her country is proud of her.

BBC News (UK)

@BBCNews

2 months

Chess star, 9, becomes youngest to play for England

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

Astonishing. This is the captain of Ukraine's chess team.

Chess-News Шахматы без цензуры

@Chess__News

3 years

Капитан сборной Украины Александр Сулыпа: "Защищаю свою землю от врагов и "миротворцев". Правда победит!"

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@SergeyKaryakin I think we'll cope, Sergey.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

The FIDE Candidates tournament starts today.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

People in Afghanistan have greater concerns than chess right now.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

@ChessProblem @MagnusCarlsen You've made me completely rethink Carlsen's use of the word "explicit" here...

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

I've had a few drinks. Time to head over to Sergey Karjakin's timeline...

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Beating Magnus? Meh, says Gukesh. "Obviously, beating Magnus is always special but I was not really very proud of that game" #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

WOW! Dubov beats Magnus Carlsen in the QF. Carlsen is OUT of the Airthings Masters! #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

As the #ChampsChess PR person I'm going to compromise my professional impartiality by saying this - and for that, I'm sorry. But... COME ON ARJUN!!! #ErigaisiArmy #GoldmoneyAsianRapid

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

While Russia's #1 chess player is conducting himself with real class in the circumstances, Russia's #3 (and Putin's favourite) is posting this:

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

India wants and deserves to host the Chess Olympiad. There is no nation on earth that will do it better.

Prachura

@Prachura1

3 years

India is on the verge of getting Olympiad hosting rights..the efforts put by AICF esp @Bharatchess64 and @srinathchess is immense..we need more of this..keep going! 🇮🇳

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Chess gets a big page lead in today's Sunday Telegraph as World Champion Magnus Carlsen overtakes the top earners on the esports prize chart for 2020: #ImpactChess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Gukesh beat Carlsen today aged 16 years 4 months 20 days in the Aimchess Rapid. He beat @rpragchess 's record set on February 20 in the Airthings Masters. Pragg was 16 years 6 months and 10 days old. #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Let's be straight, whoever wins the world title out of Nepo and Ding will be world champ in name only. Magnus remains the best player and that will devalue FIDE's title, even if there is no other rival title. Like boxing, holding the title is not what matters most

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Some personal news... I am now Head of PR at @chesscom .

Chess.com

@chesscom

2 years

has acquired Play Magnus Group with @MagnusCarlsen joining as an ambassador!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

What I don't understand about the chess cheatgate scandal is why so many people expect the three main parties to all have acted perfectly. To me, the way Magnus withdrew from the SC was very human. The way Hans reacted (whether guilty or not) was also very human.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

I am so happy! My 5yo son Joe is now a CHESS PLAYER thanks to @MagnusCarlsen 's Magnus Kingdom app! He's just effected a basic Lawnmower Mate with two queens before bedtime. Yes, I work for Magnus's company... But the app really is magic:

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Making an allegation that someone has cheated at a professional chess tournament is very serious and potentially defamatory. Be careful, folks. #SinquefieldCup

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Also impressive were: "Some small cross for man, a giant leek for mankind" #LambethCountryShow

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@FabrizioRomano He's a quacking player

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Pragg is now just routinely beating the best players in the world. Remember the #ChessableMasters , it's where he went further than Magnus Carlsen. #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

If I was utterly convinced a player at my chess club was cheating, I wouldn't want to play him/her. If I was a professional playing matches for money and my reputation, I DEFINITELY wouldn't play him/her. That's my prerogative.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@anishgiri These things don't happen by accident!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Wrong move! @agadmator run in with YouTube makes it into UK tabloid The Sun today

Chess champ's YouTube podcast taken down for referring to 'black against white'

A CHESS champ’s Youtube podcast was taken down because it referred to “black against white”. The series was removed because it contained “harmful and dangerous” content. Croatian ace An…

www.thesun.co.uk

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

The chess boom is being felt in the Netherlands. 1 million people are now active monthly users on - that's 5% of the population, a figure that's doubled since November. Wow. Contributed stats and a quote for this article. @chesscom

Explosieve groei aantal schakers van jong tot oud: 'Gekkenhuis'

Het aantal Nederlanders dat regelmatig online een potje schaakt, is in de afgelopen maanden verdubbeld naar één miljoen. Dat blijkt uit cijfers van de grootste schaakwebsite van de wereld, na vragen...

www.rtl.nl

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

This is a "historic moment" for chess. Magnus Carlsen interviewed in GQ Magazine:

Magnus Carlsen: ‘With no other sports taking place, now is the time for people to discover chess’

On the eve of the richest online tournament ever staged, world champion Magnus Carlsen reveals the joy of chess.

www.gq-magazine.co.uk

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Live scenes (as promised) from Trafalgar Square after @DavidHowellGM wins gold for Eng-er-land at the #ChessOlympiad !!! "It's coming home, it's coming home..."

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

Russia's top chess player saying it is a dark day. It is a brave move. He is playing in the Airthings Masters right now from Moscow. I hope he doesn't face consequences at home. He also spoke very well on the subject on the @ChampChessTour broadcast #ChessChamps

Ian Nepomniachtchi

@lachesisq

3 years

История видела немало чёрных четвергов. Но сегодняшний чернее прочих. #нетвойне #saynotowar

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@agadmator I'm sure I've heard one b4...

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

Russia, the biggest superpower in chess, effectively banned from the game it considers its own. Massive and unexpected decision by FIDE.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

This Erigaisi guy is a bit of a badass. #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

An interview we arranged with @CNN and @rpragchess after his Airthings Masters win over Magnus is out. The youngster spoke really well. Then, after it went live, he only went and did it again! #ChessableMasters #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Anatoly Karpov lost about 10kg during his 1984/85 title match with Garry Kasparov. During this match, Magnus has lost nearly a foot. #ImpactChess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Dominic Raab was caught lying live on air to Mishal Husain on @BBCRadio4 's Today programme, saying Vote Leave campaigned for No Deal. It was an outright lie. Why didn't Mishal make more of that?

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

I bet you never thought you'd see the #BanterBlitzCup make the news pages of The Times of London??? Well, the phenomenon of Alireza Firouzja has done it. Page 27 of the World section. #c24live

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

The exciting @NihalSarin is gunning for a place in the next #MagnusTour on offer in the @chess24com 's Banter Series. Tomorrow Sarin has an important match against @GMShanky By @PrasadrsTOI #c24live

Nihal Sarin fights for place on Carlsen Chess Tour | Chess News - Times of India

Chess News: Nihal Sarin, who earlier this week was part of India’s gold-winning campaign at the FIDE online Olympiad, is now fighting out for a place on the upcom

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

@olimpiuurcan Use. The. Beads

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@CrowMo99 @mrchrisaddison How did he follow the rules? His circumstances were entirely unexceptional. Thousands of people have been in exactly that situation. He just arrogantly did what he wanted, which was to go see his parents. Then break lockdown a second time.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@SpursOfficial Much as I love Son, it should be Kane.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

And Grumpy Cat (R.I.P.). Both scored highly for being topical

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Another incredible chess24 online super-tournament done. ✔️16 x press releases sent ✔️18 x newsletters ✔️Too many media enquiries to possibly remember = 100+ articles in the mainstream Press & LOTS of great chess watched! That's me done. Time for beer! #HeritageChess #c24live

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

New Netflix series about a young chess prodigy struggling with addiction as she battles to make Grandmaster, starring Anya Taylor-Joy:

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Well, one of the big cats is now out of the bag: The incredible, the inspirational, the legend that is @vishy64theking will play in the @chess24com Legends of Chess event. It will be fascinating to watch him. Starts July 21.

Anand to play in Legends of Chess; praises Carlsen for Chess Tour

The five-time World champion, along with Vladimir Kramnik, will join the other elite players, headed by Carlsen, in the $150,000 online event from July 21 to August 5.

sportstar.thehindu.com

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@RobertJenrick Why? Did it suddenly get safer overnight? Was a vaccine found? Or was your advice wrong all along and we've been inside all this time for no reason? We don't trust a word you say because you issue guidance for political reasons not safety.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

🥇 @davidhowellGM (2898) 🥈 @ArjunErigaisi (2767) 🥉 @rpragchess (2767) Old is gold!!! #ChessOlympiad

Champions Chess Tour

@ChampChessTour

2 years

Congratulations to @DavidHowellGM for winning individual gold for England at the 2022 FIDE Chess Olympiad with a stunning score of 7.5/8! This is his first gold medal in an Olympiad 🥇

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@srinathchess DK every day!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@jessbrammar @KemiBadenoch @HuffPost Please don't let this drop Jess. - Publishing the correspondence is not ok. - Calling the journalist "creepy and weird" is not ok. - Questioning normal journalism is not ok. The minister is showing ignorance of her own role and of how everyday journalism works.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

This is the first ultra-serious online super-tournament and it has been EPIC already. When was the last time chess fans were this engaged in an event??? #ImpactChess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

The inevitable, "We need something more on this Carlsen guy. Has he got a girlfriend?" has been asked in newsrooms:

Meet the chess WAG picking up pieces of bitter a*** bead cheating scandal

The anal bead saga currently engulfing chess has stunned the sporting world, but who is the lucky lady currently picking up the pieces on behalf of her boyfriend

www.dailystar.co.uk

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Very pleased to say @chessable , the tiny start-up chess company I left my nice job at @Telegraph for, has been bought out by...the firm co-owned by Magnus Carlsen, world chess champion and the greatest player ever to play the game We are... over the moon

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

The highest point, in the South Upper #SpursNewStadium

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

Doing FIDE better than FIDE

chess24

@chess24com

3 years

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

One biiiiiiiillion games played in February on @chesscom . Chess is booming.

Chess.com Hits 1 Billion Games Played In February

In February 2023, more than one billion games were played on Chess.com—a new all-time record.

www.chess.com

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Magnus Carlsen's Premier League fantasy football charge got a good show in the UK newspapers this morning thanks to a well-timed release from @chess24com The World Chess Champion is on page 3 of the Sunday Times (!), the Sunday Mirror, Sunday Mail and The People. #ChessLegends

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

@Femi_Sorry You have been brilliant @Femi_Sorry An inspiration. Stay in politics, we need you.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 months

@alexholowczak Surprisingly I am not new to the internet. But I don't think you should just shrug your shoulders. Report the posts please.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@GothamChess @chesscom Please Levi, please! I'm begging you!!!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

#MOTD using Life of Riley for the annual Goal of the Season rundown. Perfection!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@AdrianBentley Based in Hastings. Est. 1066.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

6 months

Known terrorist @Kasparov63 setting off a bomb! 1995 vs Anand. 💥

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

I LOVE the chess World Championship. It's the intensity. The pressure-cooker atmosphere. It's knowing the bar is being pushed to its very limit every day. 4 draws in a row - but that just shows how fierce the battle is, neither side giving an inch. No compromise. #CarlsenNepo

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

On the day before the Champions Chess Tour kicks off, today's edition of The Guardian has almost a full page devoted to the sport: #ChampsChess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

And it's a wrap! Magnus wins. 32 x press releases 18 x mailouts 16 days of work LOTS of chess watched. That was my #MagnusInvite and it was great!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

Let me guess, the Chess Olympiad will go to one of the countries that has failed to condemn Russia's actions at the EU. So, India or Saudi Arabia.

Emilchess

@EmilSutovsky

3 years

India bidding to host Chess Olympiad 2022 | Chess News - Times of India

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@TalkingTHFC He's just doing his job mate, calm down.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@agadmator @ChessProblem This is not good, @agadmator .

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Welcome home #SpursNewStadium #SpursAreHome #COYS

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

@EmilSutovsky @SergeyKaryakin It's Code of Ethics time again...

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

The way chesscom has acted seems logical too. What isn't logical, is laying into them from the sidelines because they didn't meet whatever ethical and procedural standards you've created in your head after the event. Cut them some slack. We're in new territory here.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

@AuschwitzMuseum What a beautiful boy. We must never forget.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@EmilSutovsky @GothamChess "I don't find..." - therein is your problem. It's not about what you think.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

7 years

Interviewed the great @Kasparov63 over a chess board today after his car crash. I can confirm his head still works... mine perhaps not

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

RETURN OF THE DING! #ChessableMasters #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

I wrote this for @chess24com on how the chess world is responding to Russia's invasion of Ukraine:

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

5 years

Why do I love chess? It's a lifelong activity - not quite cradle to grave, but almost. It doesn't matter how old or young you are, you can still improve. Here's my son learning the ropes at the London Chess Classic: #InternationalChessDay

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@NoContextBrits Nothing has been lost and everything is gained if you simply replace the Fry's Chocolate Cream with a Fry's ORANGE Cream.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

The world's biggest chess server keeps crashing because it can't keep up with demand. People are loving chess in 2023. It's a fact!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

9 months

How lovely is this? IM Shreyas Royal has just scored his second GM norm at the London Chess Classic. Happy Christmas to @shrez_royal09 and his dad Jitendra!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Is chess RACIST? The Australian Broadcasting Corporation asks listeners if the game is prejudiced because white goes first Spoiler: No.

Chess master blasts ABC for debate about whether the game is racist

An economist who was once a member of the Australian Chess Federation, has blasted the ABC for preparing to hold a debate about whether the game is racist.

www.dailymail.co.uk

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

1 year

@IAmJermainDefoe @GaryLineker Jermain, you're a class act on the field and off it.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Lockdown mother keeps her focus to win 4,500 euros in speed chess tournament - despite her daughter asking for a sock-change. Incredible stuff. Well done Kateryna Lagno. #c24live

International Chess Federation

@FIDE_chess

4 years

"During the game with Tan Zhongyi, my daughter came to me and said: Ok mama, I don't like these socks and I want to change them immediately!" - says the winner of #SteinitzMemorial Kateryna Lagno. #ParentingInLockdown #chess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@srinathchess @HariChess @viditchess @adhibanchess @NihalSarin @rpragchess @GMIniyanP @DGukesh @aicfchess @Bharatchess64 @chessgmkunte The Indian crew seem to have a very good team spirit going on

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@keogh1992x That is a St John Ambulance exactly the same as this. But you deliberately ignored the big sign on the back, which seems conveniently blurred, and laid into the NHS. Who's political?

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@MarineAFC @SpursOfficial @EmiratesFACup Great move Marine. You've just found yourself a ton of new supporters down south. #COYS #COYM

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Went to the loo and came back to this little monkey tapping away at my workstation! #FTXRoadToMiami #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

@TarjeiJS The elephant in the room: that so few women take part in chess and the game's establishment being completely unable to address the reasons for that

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@BootstrapCook Thank you, Jack. On the money - figuratively and literally - as always.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

The Duda Abides!!! Jan-Kryzsztof beats World Chess Champ Magnus Carlsen. This aggression will not stand, man! #c24live

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Peter Leko, the bona FIDE chess legend, just made a $1,000 donation to chess24's @kiva campaign and said being a part of the Magnus Carlsen Chess Tour has "enriched" his life over the last few months. And his wonderful commentary has enriched our lives too. #ImpactChess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

@Eljanov @EugenePerel From everyone at chess24, we desperately hope you and Yuri stay safe.

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

Who's Radjabov's manager? Jose Mourinho??? He's been rock-solid so far and waited for the moment to pounce. #ChessChamps #AirthingsMasters

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 months

My boy playing Bodhana at ChessFest 2024! @schoolschess

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

3 years

I'm going to open a rival bar down the road called "The Bad Bishop"

Simon Williams

@ginger_gm

3 years

😎

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

4 years

@Saj_PakPassion He's a mini Wasim!!!

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

Obviously, I normally want Magnus Carlsen to win, but you guys know my feelings about Arjun Erigaisi... #JuliusBaerGenerationCup #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

GUKESH!!! #ChessChamps

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Leon Watson

@LeonWatson

2 years

So there we have it. The direct, public allegation. As you can see, from the word go Magnus Carlsen has been acting in good faith here. Whether you agree or not, whether he's right or not, that much is clear. #chessdrama

Magnus Carlsen

@MagnusCarlsen

2 years

My statement regarding the last few weeks.

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