About Stephen

Stephen Moss was born in Newport, South Wales, and educated at Hartridge High School – a huge comprehensive which had no doubts about its aspirations for its pupils (this was the 1960s, when anything seemed possible) – and then at Balliol College, Oxford, an institution of older vintage that was also certain of its place in the world. He studied modern history and later did an MA in Victorian Studies at Birkbeck College, London.

He worked in book publishing and magazines in his twenties, and for the Guardian as an editor and writer for more than 30 years from 1989, including a stint as literary editor.

His books include The Rookie: An Odyssey through Chess (and Life) and Wisden Anthology 1978-2006: Cricket’s Age of Revolution

Stephen Moss playing chess with Magnus Carlsen, who became world champion in 2013.
Photograph: LInda Nylind/The Guardian