For some chess is a fleeting diversion during youth, for others it can hold lifelong interest. Carolyn Spooner relates this wonderful story of her mother, Jean Armstrong, who has taken up the game when well into her senior years.

After suffering a stroke at 94 Jean Armstrong became partially wheel chair bound, which she found frustrating as she had always been an active person, playing tennis into her 40s, and then playing croquet into her 90s. Looking for intellectual challenges which she could enjoy in a wheelchair, Jean started writing poetry and discovered the intricacies of the sonnet form.

Then at the age of 96 she started learning how to play chess, having never played before in her life. She found a willing chess opponent in her centenarian husband Tom who had played chess in his youth, and had also been a keen tennis and croquet player. At age 97 and 101 respectively Jean and Tom are now enjoying two games of chess a day. Having been a formidable partnership at tennis, croquet and bridge they are now keen opponents over the chess board.

Like chess, croquet is a thinking person's game, and Jean and Tom have both been admitted to the World Croquet Federation Hall of Fame for their many years of innovative coaching techniques and bringing young players into the sport. They are also well known in the Brighton area where they live, having only moved into a retirement village in the last year. They are an inspiration to everyone who knows them for their positive and enthusiastic outlook on life and their love of conversation with all comers.

The game of life

King and Queen take centre stage
Bishops in attendance
Knights close guard the castle gates
Horses waiting to advance

Pawns can pave the way to fame
No foe too great to overthrow
Basking in the court’s acclaim
Their doughty deeds do steal the show

The noble Queen quests far and wide
Save the King her battle cry
Her favourite bishops by her side
All are resolved to do or die

The game of chess, the game of life
Is moving in and out of strife.

Jean Armstrong
February 2009