In a move that has left the chess world doing a double-take, England’s GM David Howell has announced his retirement from chess to pursue a rather different field: Floristry.
The news broke after fellow Grandmaster Simon Williams posted a photo from Oslo, showing the three-time British Champion standing outside his new venture, ‘64 Flowers’. While many fans initially suspected an elaborate prank or an AI-generated stunt, Howell quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm the career change, stating he has “officially retired” to follow his true passions.
I can confirm that I've officially retired from chess. Time to pursue my true passions 💐🌹 https://t.co/UfAIwuEDo0
— David Howell (@DavidHowellGM) March 20, 2026
Howell, the second-youngest Briton to ever achieve the Grandmaster title (a record he held for 17 years until 2024), has been a mainstay of the elite circuit for two decades. More recently, he has become one of the game’s most beloved commentators, winning the 2025 Chess.com Commentator of the Year award.
While the announcement has caused a stir, many in the chess community remain understandably sceptical. With Howell still listed for several Bundesliga fixtures later this month, and given Simon Williams’ well-known penchant for a “wind-up,” some suspect an early April Fools’ prank may be afoot. Whether this is a genuine career change or merely an elaborate joke, those in the Oslo area might still fancy “popping in” to 64 Flowers to see if one of Britain’s finest really has traded his King for a Lily.
