Interview - CM Kendrick Knowles, Bahamas National Champion 2019

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​Below is a recent interview I had with CM Kendrick Knowles following him hosting Nimble Minds Virtual Chess Simultaneous display.

Interviewer: Thank you for hosting Nimble Minds Virtual Chess Simultaneous Display on Saturday 21 November, 2020. Our students enjoyed it. How was it for you and is this something that you do often?
Knowles: It was a great experience – my first virtual simul actually. I loved the platform and the kids were not easy at all. The basics and fundamentals were shown in all games. No real opening mistakes and quick development of pieces. I don’t do it often, however, I look forward to it now – Thanks for the invitation again.

Interviewer: Before we go any further, allow me to congratulate you on winning The 2019 Bahamas National Chess Championships.
Knowles: Thank you very much. As you know The Nationals in The Bahamas is a super competitive deal and we take it seriously sometimes too serious. It was a fun tournament, my first without a loss in any round.
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​Interviewer: What is one of your most memorable experiences while playing internationally?
Knowles: 41st Chess Olympiad in Norway in 2014 as my most memorable because it was my first Olympiad and also the tournament that gave me my CM title.

Interviewer: How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the chess side of your life?
Knowles: I play more online than over the board due to the pandemic – but I also study more and I believe I have improved over the pandemic. Only time will tell if it sticks. But I definitely have more time to study now as lockdowns and curfews continue.

Interviewer: How would you describe the level of chess in The Bahamas when compared to jurisdictions of similar population size? For example, Barbados, Belize, Malta, Guadeloupe, Iceland and Suriname. What can be done to improve the level of chess play in The Bahamas?
Knowles: As I mentioned before we can do much better than our neighbors. I think we are behind in some aspects and ahead in others – for example Suriname has stronger players but I think we have a lot of interested young players who can get to that level with consistent support from Government and the federation.

Interviewer: Chess and children. Do you recommend that parents introduce their children to chess? If so then why?
Knowles: Yes all children in my opinion should at least be introduced to the game of chess. It helps in teaching patience and the importance of quality decision making. I
believe children from an early age can develop an attitude consistent with “winning in life” if they understand the methods involved with winning at chess.

Interviewer: Finally, do you have any suggestions for younger players on how to improve their chess game and why they should continue playing chess?
Knowles: Definitely study and use puzzles as much as possible. Experiment with openings that fit your style of play – however do not spend all of your time on openings. Focusing on every game putting your pieces in positions to be active. That’s the single most important piece of advice I can give you. Put your pieces on squares where they can impact the game. You should continue playing because you will find – hopefully as I have found – that your ability to put your pieces in positions to be successful also translates to your personal life in making decisions for you to succeed as well.

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