Paul Wiseman was born and raised in Walsall, Staffordshire. After working in the printing industry he entered Edinburgh University as a mature student, gaining an MA honours degree in Social Anthropology. After graduating, he moved to Dulwich and worked in Education and for the Home Offi ce. A keen chess player since boyhood, he played for the Metropolitan Chess Club of London and was a member of a team that won a national title in 1985. Although now retired, he still plays chess for his local club in Brixham, Devon.