An Impromptu Meeting

Last Wednesday I received a phone call. Within an hour I found myself in an executive suite just off Whitehall, with an enormous wine glass in my hand and a small man rabbiting on at me about his ideas for the chess world. The wine was French and the man was American. The man was Andrew Paulson.

Not Andrew Paulson. Honest.

Myself and three others were there to voice our opinion on a new tablet app. Whilst I didn't sign a confidentiality agreement or anything, I won't reveal any details, simply out of fairness to the developers, who were attentive, lovely and gave me wine. Secrets for alcohol is a fair exchange in my book.  

Instead, I'm here to talk about Andrew Paulson, a man who has committed millions to elite chess over the next few years. Andrew Paulson, a man who has already been party to the further gentrification of the elite game in this country. 

Andrew Paulson, a man with a messiah complex who speaks only in personal pronouns. Or at least that's the impression I got last week.

 

 Not Andrew Paulson. Honest.

Now, it's fair to say things got a little heated. I imagine Andrew simply wanted us to go "Oh, yes, Mr. Paulson, this product is wonderful. Now, tell us another story."

But that's not really my bag.

We'd been invited there to criticise and discuss the elements of the app, so I was being quite direct. Once I'd heard "Just wait and see" for a third time, I went into full Paxman mode. I wanted proper answers and I distrusted the responses I was being given. 

Not Andrew Paulson. Honest.

It's hilarious to hear someone without a damn clue in a particular field disgorge revolutionary personal theories about it. Except when they have genuine power and resources to implement them.

 Not Andrew Paulson. Honest.

I don't dislike Andrew Paulson. But I do distrust him. I found him discourteous, considering I'd been invited there precisely to comment on something I know a damn sight more about than him. I am a chess player, a chess pundit and a chess consumer. I am both the target market and the commentator. 

I know my shit. And I know that I didn't like what I saw last week. 

I'm sure that Andrew Paulson is a wonderful entrepreneur and I hope that he is successful with his chess adventures. However, I invite everyone to be wary with me.