11 JUNE 1983, Page 22

Simple vanity

Sir: I wonder how many other readers of the Spectator chess column are becoming like myself increasingly exasperated by endless exposes of Ray Keene's latest games (another two in the 28 May issue). Perhaps he really does regard himself as a more important grandmaster than, say, AnatolY Karpov or Gary Kasparov? However, the answer is to be found in Mr Keene's own writings. I quote from the se- cond edition of his book Flank Openings: I have made liberal use of my Own games. Some authors explain away such a procedure by claiming they understand their own games best and therefore they can is reemst oservseimapsIdei:dvaacntiictyexamples. My reason

At least we now know.

Chris McSheehy

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