Parents Doris and Dennis Keene. My father was in Naval Intelligence during World War II.
My mother taught me to play chess when I was six ( my d o b 29/01/1948). I was born in Clapham, London, where I still reside. School Dulwich College. University Trinity College Cambridge. Main speciality German language, literature , history and culture, in particular Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. Shared accommodation in my final year as an undergraduate at Trinity with future King Charles III. Final degree status: MA Master of Arts.
In 1972, having won the British chess championship I switched from studying for a Ph D to becoming a full time chess professional , both playing and writing. The goal was to become a Grandmaster.
I had published my first book Flank Openings in 1967.
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