Ratticus Norvegicus

There are an estimated 70 million rats in the UK, which roughly equates to one for every person. They're often seen in places where rubbish is lying around, in drains, sewers and outbuildings. They're also found in rural areas and are becoming a serious nuisance. They have also contaminated some areas of Liverpool.

As well as creating structural damage, rats pose a health risk because of the diseases they carry such as salmonella, E.coli and Tuberculosis. They also have ticks, mites, fleas, b.o. and bad breath. It is therefore imperative that you protect yourself from these pests or you’ll find yourself with a big problem.

It is said that at any one time, no person in Britain is more than nine metres away from a rat. During match nights at one chess club in Liverpool this decreases to one metre. Reason: The Club has been infested by rats. These rats can lie, deceive and spread falsehoods about fellow members. There are even cases of rats using computers to spread propaganda and twisted versions of reality for the gullible to injest. Their poison is dangerous so take great care. These rats rarely marry but they do form themselves into groups to comfort one another, drink copious amounts of beer and plot against the innocent.

However, smart people such as rat catchers with no more than the slightest whiff of their stench take immediate and permanent action. They set traps which these pesky vermin fall into, giving rat catchers the upper hand. This is a most gratifying outcome and can rid an area of these hazardous and selfish vermin once and for all.

After 38 years

Following an EGM on 19 July 2010, the club has split and been destroyed by a clique of spineless individuals calling themselves a committee.


Concerns for the welfare of remaining members should be of interest to all chess players.

For the record, I remain in full support of John Carleton, David Robertson and others who have taken a principled and courageous position regarding the dispute with Widnes over the last 18 months or so.

They are outstanding examples of kind, hard working, honourable people the like of which we rarely meet in our lives.

For 38 years they have given unstinting support to Atticus Chess Club.

The unforgivable and unprecedented public attack on them and other long-serving members published on the MCA website was a disgrace. The ‘Dossier’, produced by the 'committee', a further act of lies and malice, should be treated with contempt as should the individuals who attach their names to it; individuals morally bankrupt, prepared to betray their colleagues at the drop of a hat and possessing a breath-taking level of vindictiveness. They know who they are and when the truth unfolds, others will too.

My contribution as webmaster has been to support and promote chess for the benefit of the Club and the wider community. I have acted honourably and recognition for such action has been forthcoming. Only this ‘committee’ with their propaganda and paranoia could see it differently. But they ignore the truth because it’s no longer convenient.

Members not so easily hoodwinked will no doubt have their own worries and so they should because this ‘committee’ will now take the Club down some very dark and dreary pathways in the years ahead.