David Flewellen
@davidflewellen.bsky.social
Chess player (ECF rating: usually 1600+; Club: Epsom; County: Surrey). Bristol Rovers supporter. PL/EFL 43/92. Fan of bands like Depeche Mode, the Manics and The Cure. Political views: wanting the world to be a better place for all of humanity.
Won my first #chess game of the season this evening. Earlier this year, a local international master recommended to me that I stop playing a particular opening. My rating then plummeted. Tonight I decided to break the promise that I made to him (that I no longer play it). Result: easy win.
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Won my first #chess game of the season this evening. Earlier this year, a local international master recommended to me that I stop playing a particular opening. My rating then plummeted. Tonight I decided to break the promise that I made to him (that I no longer play it). Result: easy win.
Not just an ex-footballer… an ex-football manager too. I can’t see any sort of pathway for Joey Barton to make any sort of legitimate future living from football, and that’s exactly how it ought to be.
November 7, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Not just an ex-footballer… an ex-football manager too. I can’t see any sort of pathway for Joey Barton to make any sort of legitimate future living from football, and that’s exactly how it ought to be.
I live in a town that could hardly be described as big (or even medium-sized) but it’s certainly big enough to be hosting a screening of the #DepecheMode movie #DepecheModeM. Can’t be missing it when it’s right on my doorstep, so here I am about to watch it.
October 28, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I live in a town that could hardly be described as big (or even medium-sized) but it’s certainly big enough to be hosting a screening of the #DepecheMode movie #DepecheModeM. Can’t be missing it when it’s right on my doorstep, so here I am about to watch it.
Today’s #BristolRovers game at Crawley was rather crap. Not even Tom Lockyer’s return was able to lift the mood. Lucky for me I was partly distracted by a Zoom meeting that lasted for 5 hours and only wrapped up a few minutes ago.
October 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Today’s #BristolRovers game at Crawley was rather crap. Not even Tom Lockyer’s return was able to lift the mood. Lucky for me I was partly distracted by a Zoom meeting that lasted for 5 hours and only wrapped up a few minutes ago.
The English Chess Federation’s AGM is this afternoon, and I’m due to attend on behalf of my county. There’s also the matter of Bristol Rovers playing nearby (at Crawley Town), with Tom Lockyer’s return to the Gas being such amazing news. How can I possibly be in two places at once?
October 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The English Chess Federation’s AGM is this afternoon, and I’m due to attend on behalf of my county. There’s also the matter of Bristol Rovers playing nearby (at Crawley Town), with Tom Lockyer’s return to the Gas being such amazing news. How can I possibly be in two places at once?
I cannot believe the extent to which the New York Giants have just bollocksed up a 19-0 lead at the start of the 4th quarter to be trailing 30-26 at the end of this game except I totally can believe it. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
October 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I cannot believe the extent to which the New York Giants have just bollocksed up a 19-0 lead at the start of the 4th quarter to be trailing 30-26 at the end of this game except I totally can believe it. 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
County #chess season started today. My Surrey U1650 team scored a tense 9-7 win at home against our Kent counterparts. They were the only team to beat us last season, but we avenged that loss in the 2024/25 national final, and again today.
October 4, 2025 at 11:05 PM
County #chess season started today. My Surrey U1650 team scored a tense 9-7 win at home against our Kent counterparts. They were the only team to beat us last season, but we avenged that loss in the 2024/25 national final, and again today.
Reposted by David Flewellen
the Command & Conquer series is 30 years old today we so have an excuse to share this iconic moment with Tim Curry
September 26, 2025 at 5:05 PM
the Command & Conquer series is 30 years old today we so have an excuse to share this iconic moment with Tim Curry
A remarkable man. Spookily, just a couple of days ago, I Wikipedia-link-hopped to his page. A principled man who was also a great athlete in his day.
September 26, 2025 at 12:05 PM
A remarkable man. Spookily, just a couple of days ago, I Wikipedia-link-hopped to his page. A principled man who was also a great athlete in his day.
That half-time lead for #BristolRovers only lasted a few minutes, and the Gas will probably be the happier of the two teams to end up with a point from that game. I’m heading home now from Colchester.
September 20, 2025 at 5:03 PM
That half-time lead for #BristolRovers only lasted a few minutes, and the Gas will probably be the happier of the two teams to end up with a point from that game. I’m heading home now from Colchester.
#BristolRovers leading 1-0 at half time here in Colchester. Arguably scored a bit against the run of play, but both teams have played decent football so far. Now to work out how long it’s been since I’ve been at a game where the Gas have been in the lead.
September 20, 2025 at 2:53 PM
#BristolRovers leading 1-0 at half time here in Colchester. Arguably scored a bit against the run of play, but both teams have played decent football so far. Now to work out how long it’s been since I’ve been at a game where the Gas have been in the lead.
In recent years, my away trips to Essex have usually involved playing county chess for Surrey. Not today, though. I’m off to Colchester to watch #BristolRovers. 43/92 -> 44/92
September 20, 2025 at 9:07 AM
In recent years, my away trips to Essex have usually involved playing county chess for Surrey. Not today, though. I’m off to Colchester to watch #BristolRovers. 43/92 -> 44/92
I’d like to think that Boris Johnson misread this as “Etonian airspace” and crapped his pants.
Nato intercepts Russian fighter jets on ‘reckless’ violation of Estonian airspace
Nato intercepts Russian fighter jets on ‘reckless’ violation of Estonian airspace
Italian air force heads off three MiG-31s over Gulf of Finland amid increased tension on alliance’s eastern border
Nato has intercepted three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets that violated Estonia’s airspace over the Baltic Sea in a 12-minute incursion, calling it proof of Moscow’s “reckless” behaviour.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, a former Estonian prime minister, accused Moscow of an “extremely dangerous provocation” and said the latest Russian violation of Nato’s eastern borders “further escalates tensions in the region”. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I’d like to think that Boris Johnson misread this as “Etonian airspace” and crapped his pants.
I binge-watched Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping last night. Found it fairly enjoyable, but not particularly groundbreaking. The trouble with sketch comedy is that Key & Peele have set the bar unsurpassably high in terms of writing, performance and production values.
September 17, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I binge-watched Mitchell and Webb Are Not Helping last night. Found it fairly enjoyable, but not particularly groundbreaking. The trouble with sketch comedy is that Key & Peele have set the bar unsurpassably high in terms of writing, performance and production values.
Breaking news: Shatner outlives Kirk.
September 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Breaking news: Shatner outlives Kirk.
There are two people I’d love to see swap jobs for a while. Imagine Grant Bowler narrating a gorgeously-shot wildlife documentary, while on another channel David Attenborough talks us through people trying to get through Australian border security.
September 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
There are two people I’d love to see swap jobs for a while. Imagine Grant Bowler narrating a gorgeously-shot wildlife documentary, while on another channel David Attenborough talks us through people trying to get through Australian border security.
9 years ago this week, I went to my first two #BristolRovers away games. Ellis Harrison involved in key moments in both games: conceding a soft penalty to give Southend a late equaliser, then slotting a penalty at Chelsea. He’s still about - his first half goal giving the Gas the lead today.
August 23, 2025 at 3:10 PM
9 years ago this week, I went to my first two #BristolRovers away games. Ellis Harrison involved in key moments in both games: conceding a soft penalty to give Southend a late equaliser, then slotting a penalty at Chelsea. He’s still about - his first half goal giving the Gas the lead today.
August 16, 2025 at 1:32 PM
#BristolRovers are currently racing up the League Two table! Unfortunately it’s only from bottom to fifth-from-bottom, and mainly because other crap sides are doing even worse than the gormless Gas, who have finally scored their first goal of the season to halve the deficit against Fleetwood Town.
August 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
#BristolRovers are currently racing up the League Two table! Unfortunately it’s only from bottom to fifth-from-bottom, and mainly because other crap sides are doing even worse than the gormless Gas, who have finally scored their first goal of the season to halve the deficit against Fleetwood Town.
The first away game of the season for #BristolRovers today, away at Fleetwood Town. I’m not going - no need or desire to go. The last interaction the two clubs had was when Rovers presumably accidentally added an extra zero onto Promise Omochere’s transfer fee a year ago.
August 9, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The first away game of the season for #BristolRovers today, away at Fleetwood Town. I’m not going - no need or desire to go. The last interaction the two clubs had was when Rovers presumably accidentally added an extra zero onto Promise Omochere’s transfer fee a year ago.
Another football season has snuck up on us. I will try to get to a few #BristolRovers games this season, but my enthusiasm is pretty tepid after The Barton Years, followed by the spineless capitulation in last season’s battle to stay in League One. Might try to do Grimsby later this month.
August 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Another football season has snuck up on us. I will try to get to a few #BristolRovers games this season, but my enthusiasm is pretty tepid after The Barton Years, followed by the spineless capitulation in last season’s battle to stay in League One. Might try to do Grimsby later this month.
Just a bit of the old payback for the heartache that England’s men suffered against Italy in the last men’s Euros. #Lionesses
July 22, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Just a bit of the old payback for the heartache that England’s men suffered against Italy in the last men’s Euros. #Lionesses
How was my Saturday? Well, I’m pictured here, so there’s that.
Surrey U1650 scored a convincing 10.5-5.5 win over Kent U1650 in Royal Tunbridge Wells to win the national title. I was one of 8 Surrey players who delivered wins.
Surrey U1650 scored a convincing 10.5-5.5 win over Kent U1650 in Royal Tunbridge Wells to win the national title. I was one of 8 Surrey players who delivered wins.
🏆 Surrey defend their title to win the 104th Counties Championship!
🥇 Cambridgeshire retain the Minor Counties (U2050)
🔥 Yorkshire claim U2050, Middlesex take U1850
🥈 Surrey also win U1650, Kent retain U1450
👏 Congrats to all!
#ECF #CountyChess
🥇 Cambridgeshire retain the Minor Counties (U2050)
🔥 Yorkshire claim U2050, Middlesex take U1850
🥈 Surrey also win U1650, Kent retain U1450
👏 Congrats to all!
#ECF #CountyChess
July 5, 2025 at 11:11 PM
How was my Saturday? Well, I’m pictured here, so there’s that.
Surrey U1650 scored a convincing 10.5-5.5 win over Kent U1650 in Royal Tunbridge Wells to win the national title. I was one of 8 Surrey players who delivered wins.
Surrey U1650 scored a convincing 10.5-5.5 win over Kent U1650 in Royal Tunbridge Wells to win the national title. I was one of 8 Surrey players who delivered wins.
Well done to Oasis for making it through the first night of their Inevitable Punch-up On Stage Followed By Yet Another Acrimonious Split tour.
July 4, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Well done to Oasis for making it through the first night of their Inevitable Punch-up On Stage Followed By Yet Another Acrimonious Split tour.
I’ll be captaining the Surrey U1650 county chess team as we head to Royal Tunbridge Wells to face our Kent counterparts, seeking to avenge our only defeat of the season, and hoping to add the national title to the Southern Counties Chess Union title we won this season.
This Saturday! The 104th Counties Championship Finals take place at four regional venues on Saturday 5 July at 1:30pm. Follow the results as they happen on the ECF LMS: lms.englishchess.org.uk/lms/season/1... More details here: www.englishchess.org.uk/counties-cha...
July 4, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I’ll be captaining the Surrey U1650 county chess team as we head to Royal Tunbridge Wells to face our Kent counterparts, seeking to avenge our only defeat of the season, and hoping to add the national title to the Southern Counties Chess Union title we won this season.