Biography – Andrew McGettigan

I have had a varied career, mainly involving writing about higher education, including some journalism for the Guardian, and teaching in universities and colleges. In 2013, I published an unfortunately prescient book – The Great University Gamble: money, markets and the future of higher education – and am a recognised expert in student loans and university finances.

I previously taught mathematics and philosophy, and hold a doctorate in the latter.

I have taught chess in prisons and continue to teach it in primary and secondary schools. I hold a current enhanced DBS, public liability insurance and can provide references. A teacher for nearly 30 years, I also hold a City & Guilds level 3 award in adult education.

In short, I have a lot of experience of explaining complex topics to different audiences. You can see some of my writing about chess in the links here.

Chess

I was an active junior player in the late 80s and early 90s. I represented Cheshire and Oxfordshire at full levels, and played for Oxford in the 1995 Varsity Match. Before university, I competed in the Lloyds Bank Masters open tournaments in 1991 and 1992. I reached a peak rating of 179 ECF, before taking a 25 year break.

I returned to competitive play in 2018 and, after shaking off some rust, my rating is now back to where it was. It should go higher in the August 2022 ECF grading list, as in June I secured first place in the Hastings 2021/22 club championship with 7 wins and one draw from 8 games.

I am more active as an online player on lichess and chess.com as degringolade and degringolade64, respectively. My peak ratings at bullet, blitz and rapid there range from 2000+ (bullet) to 2300+ (blitz).

I competed in recent British Online Championships and reached the final of the 2021 rapidplay, where I was awarded the performance prize. I have twice finished second in the major open competition at the same time limit.

I also play shogi, the Japanese version of chess, and have represented Great Britain in the World Shogi League. I have a shogi set that I take to the Wednesday club in St Leonards and several children enjoy playing this exciting game (not just pawns can promote and you get to put captured pieces back on the board!).