Young empath, Violet Hunter, and her crafty Grand Master, Athanor Griffin, tackle the villains threatening civilization. Their worst enemy rampages across the galaxy, while blocked portals prevent normal interplanetary communications. Compounding their problems, half the Grand Masters on the Council vow to eliminate Violet. To restore peace, Violet and Athanor embark on a hazardous quest for a weapon hidden by the ancient psychic masters on one of four planets. But, the weapon proves elusive, dangers lurk in the ancient sites, and new alliances forged with bizarre entities may not suffice to foil their enemies and save the galaxy. Reminiscent of science fiction stories by Frank Herbert and Andre Norton, this rollercoaster adventure offers weird characters and deadly horrors balanced by lighthearted moments. Grand Master’s Mate is Book 3 of the Grand Master’s Trilogy.

What makes this chess book different? I believe this is the first book of its kind about chess. So many focus on the best games, or openings, middlegames and endgames to study. What few books mention is players’ early chess experience, which for many is at school. Grandmasters and international masters don’t just appear by magic. They all learn their craft from a young age after being shown the moves. There are pupils at UK schools now who already have IM norms, and thousands of others playing for fun or competitively. This book focuses on the chess history of a British state school, which celebrates its 140-year anniversary in 2023 – King Edward’s Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham. Chess at its twin school for Girls is also covered. The chess schooldays of two of this country’s greatest players – Hugh Alexander and Tony Miles – are discussed since they went to a school regularly played by Camp Hill. Other prodigies like Malcolm Baker, Ameet Ghasi, Peggy Wood, Sabrina Chevannes and Sophie Tidman are introduced as well as a legion of enthusiastic pupils who played for their school, county or country. Thirty games are included. Stories of two pupils who founded famous chess clubs are among many highlights as well as the discovery that the school has educated its own International Master. This year Camp Hill played in the finals of the ECF Team Chess Challenge, Team Problem Solving and National U19 School Championships, continuing a history of playing at the highest levels over time beating schools such as Eton College and Manchester Grammar in national championships. At a time when the British PM, Rishi Sunak, has announced £500,000 of funding to improve chess in state schools, this book may inform and help inspire the next generation. Besides the pupils – the Scholars’ Mates part of the title – the valuable role of teachers – the Grand Masters – is highlighted throughout. Besides money, time and enthusiasm are needed to foster success. But the title is not a total misnomer, since a noteworthy pupil played the moves of Scholar’s Mate in a prestigious tournament he organised featuring several grandmasters! Many Old Boys including famous alumni, teachers and headmasters have contributed to this history book, which deviates from the main line occasionally to present an informative and humorous account of both this ordinary and extraordinary British school, Camp Hill. The author himself was chess captain at the school and the third pupil to start a chess club. Anyone connected to chess at the school can join Camp Hill Old Edwardian’s chess club on chess.com to play, study the games in this book or chat.

Epic SciFi / Fantasy Adventure and Romance - Three Volumes in One. Teleport through the galaxy, fly with dragons and meet exotic aliens, as young empath Violet hunts the secrets of the Grand Masters. Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1 Grand Master’s Game, Book 2 Grand Master’s Mate, Book 3 Grand Master’s Pawn One young woman challenges the secret rulers of the galaxy, and risks a perilous love. Young empath, Violet Hunter, dreams of exploring exotic planets as a Grand Master’s pawn. When life-threatening cracks appear in the teleportal web, Violet is tasked with investigating the disruption. Suspicions point to the twelve Grand Masters, and she must penetrate their curtain of secrecy to identify the culprit. Her challenges escalate when she meets the enigmatic man behind the griffin avatar. She plunges into a world of deadly intrigues and risks a perilous love. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, she must battle the most powerful beings in the galaxy. Grand Master’s Game Psychically linked lovers fight to save the galaxy. The rebellious Grand Master, Athanor Griffin, devises a risky plan to uncover the culprits responsible for life-threatening failures in the portal web. His loyal pawn and lover, Violet Hunter, is the key to success as they contend with hostile aliens and Grand Masters. But, she wrestles with her erratic psychic talents and doubts about their unequal partnership. She must surmount her insecurities and recruit allies to survive the inevitable battle with their enemies. Their worst nightmares lie ahead. Grand Master’s Mate Young empath, Violet Hunter, and the crafty Grand Master, Athanor Griffin, tackle the villains threatening civilization. Their worst enemy rampages across the galaxy, while blocked portals prevent normal interplanetary commerce. Compounding their problems, half the Grand Masters on the Council vow to eliminate Violet. To restore peace, Violet and Athanor embark on a hazardous quest for a weapon hidden by the ancient psychic masters. But, the weapon proves elusive, dangers lurk in the ancient sites, and new alliances forged with bizarre entities may not suffice to thwart their foes and save the galaxy. Sci-Fi Fantasy, super psychics in space, forbidden love, galactic exploration, alien contact Other Books in this Series include: Grand Master’s Cat, Short Prequel Book 4, Cosmic Rift Book 5: Cosmic Wars Book 6: Cosmic Lock

Short story and prequel to the epic science fiction fantasy series, the Grand Masters’ Galaxy. When Grand Master Griffin investigates a wrecked spacecraft, his efforts to rescue the survivors lead to feline disruptions of his plans. Books in Grand Masters’ Galaxy: Grand Master’s Cat, Short Prequel Grand Master’s Pawn, Book 1 Grand Master’s Game, Book 2 Grand Master’s Mate, Book 3 Cosmic Rift, Book 4

Psychically linked lovers fight the powerful Grand Masters dominating the galaxy. The rebellious Grand Master, Athanor Griffin, devises a risky plan to uncover the culprits responsible for the life-threatening failures in the galactic portal web. His loyal pawn and lover, empath Violet Hunter, is the key to success as they contend with their enemies. But, she wrestles with her erratic psychic talents and doubts about their unequal partnership. She must surmount her insecurities to overcome the nightmares ahead. Science fiction adventure and romance. If you favor epic adventures in space with aliens, dragons, and a sprinkle of humor, read Book 2 in the Grand Masters’ Galaxy.

One young woman challenges the secret rulers of the galaxy and finds an impossible love. Violet dreams of exploring exotic planets as a Grand Master’s pawn. Life-threatening cracks appear in the teleportal web and Violet is tasked with investigating the disruption. Suspicions point to the twelve Grand Masters, and she must penetrate their curtain of secrecy to identify the culprit. Her challenges escalate when she meets the enigmatic man behind the griffin avatar. Armed with only her erratic powers and a mishmash of allies, she must challenge the most powerful beings in the galaxy.

Four short stories and a novella. Trudge over the rocks of Mars, trek through a hazardous alien jungle, or pop across the galaxy in a pirate ship in five fun tales of adventure and romance. Gifts of Jangalore Short story set in the Grand Masters’ Universe. Empath Rosa Spruce and Psi Master Varan seek an ancient site within an alien jungle. Stranded on Illumina Jacie’s plan to meet her boyfriend on the Planet Illumina is scuttled when he skips their date. Lonely Hearts on Mars Love blossoms from disaster in this science fiction short story set in the near future. Super Christmas A glimpse into the lives of the Secret Supers. Captured by the Hawk A Space Opera Novella. Spaceships crash across the galaxy in the comic misadventures of spy Grey Kat and pirate Black Hawk. Will Kat uncover his mask before they are imprisoned by the Emperor’s troops?