While drinking my cuppa joe I surfed on over to the WO website to check on the players from the HOP. From the scores, or, should I say, lack of, it looks more like the van loaded with HOP regulars never made it outta Gettysburg! Our boys have been cut down on the field; our charge thwarted before it began...Kazim 0-2 u; Frisco Kid 0-2 u; new state chmp Ozdemir 1-2; Michael Easterwood 1-2; Daniel Gurevich 0-2 (with a 1/2 pt bye); Damir Studen 1-1 u (that's 2 draws and he packed it in, most probably to re-enter in the 5 games a day tournament). If you're wondering why a player would withdraw undefeated, you know very little about the psyche and ego of a chessplayer. When one expects to win them all and take home the BIG BUCKS, anything less is a defeat, especially when one has worked hard to lower ones rating to be eligible to "beat-up" on the players in the class from which one has just left. With a psyche that fragile, it does not even take a knock-out blow to be knocked out. Many years ago the Legendary Georgia Ironman and I walked to a deli in downtown NY after a round. We saw a player who had been something like 6-0 before he lost. He had withdrawn and we asked him why. He mumbled something and we left him with his misery. Later Tim couldn't stop talking about how it could be that the man would withdraw when he still had a chance for the big bucks. "But Tim," I said, "Don't you understand? That's just the point...he doesn't. Can you not see that he is a broken and demoralized man? If he continues to play, he will continue to lose, and he knows it."
Those who have never been cannot fathom how hard it is to play in a tournament like the World Open. A player has to play like a Grandmaster to win the expert section! Sandbaggers abound in every section. These players will do ANYTHING to win. A knife fight is easier! John Smith, who came within one game of earning his master title, once went 0-5 at the World Open. When he withdrew, I asked him why. Smitty shot me a look, saying, "Bacon, if I lose five games in a weekend tournament, that's all I get to play!" I immediately understood. The fact is, chess is so tough that a score of 50% is a great score! Which is, unfortunately, something non-chessplayers will never understand...
It goes on further down the sections, with Benjamin Moon 0-3 in the U2000, and Justin Howle not much better at 1-2.
There is good news, though not much of it. Hartley Chiang had 2 1/2-1/2 in the U2200, and Ryan Moon is 1 1/2- 1 1/2 in the same section. In the U1800 section Emily Francis and Samuel "Zimmy" Zimmerman are at 2-1.
At this point we can only hope that the Georgia gang come on REAL STRONG in the later rounds...
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
"Chess related shooting"
One of the things about working at the center is that when the phone rings, it's like a box of chocolates. This time it was the legendary Georgia Ironman. "Have you seen the news?" His voice was filled with excitement. "There's been a chess related shooting at a Starbucks in Buckhead! I was in the middle of a lesson with Christopher Roberts when Carmen Sneed, (a local chess gadfy), was telling the interviewer that a fellow who was watching a chess game got shot by a fellow who just walked in and started shooting!"
Turned out the Starbucks was on Cascade road, where many gather to play chess, not in Buckhead. Seems the victum was an attorney, who at one time worked in the administration of the former disgraced mayor, Bill Campbell, who is now in prison.
Obviously, the shooter has taken Shakespeare to heart...
Turned out the Starbucks was on Cascade road, where many gather to play chess, not in Buckhead. Seems the victum was an attorney, who at one time worked in the administration of the former disgraced mayor, Bill Campbell, who is now in prison.
Obviously, the shooter has taken Shakespeare to heart...
A Difference of Opinion
I did not particularly care for the review of HOOKED ON CHESS by Howard Goldowsky in CHESS LIFE. Mark Taylor, editor of the award winning GEORGIA CHESS sent me an email saying, "Howard showed me this review before publication. I concur with his assessment."
Daniel Lucas, editor of CHESS LIFE sent me an email too. It states, "Mark expressed my feelings too."
This is what I wrote in response to the aforementioned editors:
It's obvious that I'm as outnumbered as Custer at the Little Big Horn! I will, nevertheless, stand my ground!
It is unfair for this fellow to compare Bill's book with that of a professional writer like Paul Hoffman. Just because Bill did not "share the rush of tournament chess with his readers" and "uncover his deepest personal turmoil" like Hoffman did does NOT mean that HOOKED is not written well or not a good book! As a matter of fact, I like it BECAUSE of the fact that he did not do those things. Hoffman, riddled with guilt, was attempting some kinda cartharsis, or something. I'd glady share a beer and a sammy with Bill Hook...Can't say the same for Hoffman.
He criticizes Bill for writing with an "aloof style that lacks revealing details." What does the man expect, Updike? This is NOT a novel, for crying out loud...Bill is not trying to purge his inner demons...He has written an enjoyable book about the world of chess and his life. Period. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the paragraph he singles out: “The bare point totals belie the fierce dramatic struggles taking place on every board. Chess players know this, those many who are unfamiliar with the game could not imagine it. Let us hope that they will someday learn enough to share the excitement.”I have had the same thought, as have many other CHESS PLAYERS with whom I've talked. It needs no elaboration. If anyone thinks it does, then quite simply, that person knows nothing, or very little, about chess and all the elaboration in the world will not help them move toward understanding...
This fellow ends his scathing review with: Yet, all too often these stories list unimportant facts without showing enough details about the author’s character as a man. With some guidance and proper editing the book could have worked at a deeper level; as a fun collection of stories it succeeds, but ultimately, as a true memoir, it fails.
The so-called "unimportant facts" were interesting to me. What more does this fellow need to know to ascertain the author's "character?" The book was not written "on a deeper level." To say that the book "fails" because it is not deep enough is absurd! You want deep mister? Go read MAGISTAR LUDI: The Glass Bead Game, by Hermann Hesse!
I would like to direct your attention to the USCF Forum. Go to CHESS LIFE ARTICLES, then go down to: Looks at Books: A Chess Life Among Fish and Fleas , to read the review I sent to Mr Lucas, and more.
I Wont Back Down
Tom Petty
No I won't back downYou can stand me up at the gates of hellBut I won't back downNo I'll stand my ground, won't be turned aroundAnd I'll keep this world from draggin me downgonna stand my ground... and I won't back downChorus:(I won't back down...)Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(and I won't back down...)hey I will stand my groundand I won't back downWell I know what's right, I got just one lifein a world that keeps on pushin me aroundbut I'll stand my ground...and I won't back down
Daniel Lucas, editor of CHESS LIFE sent me an email too. It states, "Mark expressed my feelings too."
This is what I wrote in response to the aforementioned editors:
It's obvious that I'm as outnumbered as Custer at the Little Big Horn! I will, nevertheless, stand my ground!
It is unfair for this fellow to compare Bill's book with that of a professional writer like Paul Hoffman. Just because Bill did not "share the rush of tournament chess with his readers" and "uncover his deepest personal turmoil" like Hoffman did does NOT mean that HOOKED is not written well or not a good book! As a matter of fact, I like it BECAUSE of the fact that he did not do those things. Hoffman, riddled with guilt, was attempting some kinda cartharsis, or something. I'd glady share a beer and a sammy with Bill Hook...Can't say the same for Hoffman.
He criticizes Bill for writing with an "aloof style that lacks revealing details." What does the man expect, Updike? This is NOT a novel, for crying out loud...Bill is not trying to purge his inner demons...He has written an enjoyable book about the world of chess and his life. Period. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the paragraph he singles out: “The bare point totals belie the fierce dramatic struggles taking place on every board. Chess players know this, those many who are unfamiliar with the game could not imagine it. Let us hope that they will someday learn enough to share the excitement.”I have had the same thought, as have many other CHESS PLAYERS with whom I've talked. It needs no elaboration. If anyone thinks it does, then quite simply, that person knows nothing, or very little, about chess and all the elaboration in the world will not help them move toward understanding...
This fellow ends his scathing review with: Yet, all too often these stories list unimportant facts without showing enough details about the author’s character as a man. With some guidance and proper editing the book could have worked at a deeper level; as a fun collection of stories it succeeds, but ultimately, as a true memoir, it fails.
The so-called "unimportant facts" were interesting to me. What more does this fellow need to know to ascertain the author's "character?" The book was not written "on a deeper level." To say that the book "fails" because it is not deep enough is absurd! You want deep mister? Go read MAGISTAR LUDI: The Glass Bead Game, by Hermann Hesse!
I would like to direct your attention to the USCF Forum. Go to CHESS LIFE ARTICLES, then go down to: Looks at Books: A Chess Life Among Fish and Fleas , to read the review I sent to Mr Lucas, and more.
I Wont Back Down
Tom Petty
No I won't back downYou can stand me up at the gates of hellBut I won't back downNo I'll stand my ground, won't be turned aroundAnd I'll keep this world from draggin me downgonna stand my ground... and I won't back downChorus:(I won't back down...)Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(and I won't back down...)hey I will stand my groundand I won't back downWell I know what's right, I got just one lifein a world that keeps on pushin me aroundbut I'll stand my ground...and I won't back down
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
On the way to the World Open
A blast from the past just stopped by the HOP to purchase a set to take with him on his way to the WO. It has been many years since I've crossed paths with Gary Bailey from Alabama. The last time I saw him he gave me a ride back down south from Foxwoods in 2003. He lost on board one in the "A" section in the last round. He mentioned how terrible he felt after losing in the last round until I told him that at least he had made it to board one, which is the board on which every player in the section wanted to be. He said that made him feel a little better...
He has had no time for chess since then, but the game is in his blood. He's driving all the way by himself to play in the 3 day. Although he'd rather not have to play 5 G/45 games in one day, it's the only way he could make it. He looked around at the HOP saying, "Just being here, surrounded by nothing but chess gives me a good feeling!" Gary said that if he made it to retirement, "This is where I'll spend my weekends!" He also said that he will sometimes awakens in the middle of the night thinking of a bad move he made. When I told him that I too had done that, he said, "Then I'm not so crazy, huh?" Seems his family simply cannot understand what the game of chess means to him...
I went outside with him, wishing him well, and telling him that I would be keeping an eye on him and he said he hoped that would make him play better, knowing that someone was watching his progress. He left with a smile on his face...
He has had no time for chess since then, but the game is in his blood. He's driving all the way by himself to play in the 3 day. Although he'd rather not have to play 5 G/45 games in one day, it's the only way he could make it. He looked around at the HOP saying, "Just being here, surrounded by nothing but chess gives me a good feeling!" Gary said that if he made it to retirement, "This is where I'll spend my weekends!" He also said that he will sometimes awakens in the middle of the night thinking of a bad move he made. When I told him that I too had done that, he said, "Then I'm not so crazy, huh?" Seems his family simply cannot understand what the game of chess means to him...
I went outside with him, wishing him well, and telling him that I would be keeping an eye on him and he said he hoped that would make him play better, knowing that someone was watching his progress. He left with a smile on his face...
Tuesday Night Fights
Tuesday Night Fights
The House of Pain was Rockin' for the first Tuesday night fight of July as 28 players came to duke it out...That includes Scott Parker, former Senior Champ, who acted as filler in the first round, taking on the late arriving High Plains Drifter. That will not be possible next week as a late entrant will have to take a half point bye. The House received a phone call from Damir Studen, in Philly for the World Open. One night a short time ago, Otto Fox, who came by after work last night to play a few speed games with John Williams, came in to find that Damir had not had a particularly good result. "That means he will be under 2200 for the World Open!", Otto exclaimed. That could explain Damir's indifferent results in the TNF lately, I suppose...Damir wanted to know all the details of the TNF.There he is, in Philadelphia with thousans of dollars for the taking, and all he can think about is what’s happening at the HOP! While the cat's away... With a win over up and coming David Bernat in the last round, Lester Bedell was the leader in the clubhouse. He was hoping for draws on the top two boards; Bomar-Vest & Piper-Bledsoe. The Drifter managed to stop the hard-luck Calvin Bomar. I say hard-luck because just the other week he was also 2-0 and had to face Damir Studen in the final round. He had a good game, too, but with his seconds rapidly dwindling, Mr Studen began banging the clock, at one point knocking it over. He also knocked over Mr Bomar's pieces, yet hit his clock without placing them in the correct position, leaving that for Mr Bomar. Let that be a lesson. If your opponent knocks over your pieces and hits the clock, immediately START HIS CLOCK! When in doubt, ALWAYS find a TD!On board two, Piper was down to less than ten seconds, which is plenty of time to a speed demon like Alan! Spencer dropped a pawn needlessly, and then another. I expected him to fold, but was was surprised when he "hunkered down" using his king to stop one pawn and then giving up his knight for the other, to draw the game. It was a beautiful thing to see! Mr Piper was incredulous and Mumtaz who was spectating while waiting for Alan to play speed, was speechless, if you can imagine that! Alan and Spencer cashed in for $7. David Vest, who, because he played a much higher rated opponent in the first round in Mr Parker, certainly earned the $30 he collected, along with Lester Bedell, who had the easier pairings. That’s why we call it the Swiss system. It’s got some holes in it! A total of nine, one third of the players entered, got into the prize fund! Four players, Christopher Roberts; Nick Nikley; Eric Lu; and James Norman, tied for the under prize with 2 points. Speaking of Mr Norman…Last week he took a half point bye in round one so that he could go to the Go club meeting at Ga Tech. I’ve been in touch with the American Go Association and we may start having a Go night at the HOP. Let us know if you would be interested…Terry Krohe, aka "Woody", with his upset over "B" player James Stack in the first round, gained the most points, 39. Richard Lin gained 24, and even Bob Peatman managed to pick-up 20. Carter “Pinky” Peatman saw his dad’s last round scoresheet to his game with Mr Coney and said that he insisted Bob put his first name on it, as he did not want anyone to mistake it for one of his games, as Bob was completely lost at one point!Remember...Next week the EF goes to $6 for members and $10 for non-members. You MUST pay before being paired! If you call ahead, we will make a note of it, but you will NOT be paired. So please, get there early so we can avoid the crush of humanity we experienced this week.
The House of Pain was Rockin' for the first Tuesday night fight of July as 28 players came to duke it out...That includes Scott Parker, former Senior Champ, who acted as filler in the first round, taking on the late arriving High Plains Drifter. That will not be possible next week as a late entrant will have to take a half point bye. The House received a phone call from Damir Studen, in Philly for the World Open. One night a short time ago, Otto Fox, who came by after work last night to play a few speed games with John Williams, came in to find that Damir had not had a particularly good result. "That means he will be under 2200 for the World Open!", Otto exclaimed. That could explain Damir's indifferent results in the TNF lately, I suppose...Damir wanted to know all the details of the TNF.There he is, in Philadelphia with thousans of dollars for the taking, and all he can think about is what’s happening at the HOP! While the cat's away... With a win over up and coming David Bernat in the last round, Lester Bedell was the leader in the clubhouse. He was hoping for draws on the top two boards; Bomar-Vest & Piper-Bledsoe. The Drifter managed to stop the hard-luck Calvin Bomar. I say hard-luck because just the other week he was also 2-0 and had to face Damir Studen in the final round. He had a good game, too, but with his seconds rapidly dwindling, Mr Studen began banging the clock, at one point knocking it over. He also knocked over Mr Bomar's pieces, yet hit his clock without placing them in the correct position, leaving that for Mr Bomar. Let that be a lesson. If your opponent knocks over your pieces and hits the clock, immediately START HIS CLOCK! When in doubt, ALWAYS find a TD!On board two, Piper was down to less than ten seconds, which is plenty of time to a speed demon like Alan! Spencer dropped a pawn needlessly, and then another. I expected him to fold, but was was surprised when he "hunkered down" using his king to stop one pawn and then giving up his knight for the other, to draw the game. It was a beautiful thing to see! Mr Piper was incredulous and Mumtaz who was spectating while waiting for Alan to play speed, was speechless, if you can imagine that! Alan and Spencer cashed in for $7. David Vest, who, because he played a much higher rated opponent in the first round in Mr Parker, certainly earned the $30 he collected, along with Lester Bedell, who had the easier pairings. That’s why we call it the Swiss system. It’s got some holes in it! A total of nine, one third of the players entered, got into the prize fund! Four players, Christopher Roberts; Nick Nikley; Eric Lu; and James Norman, tied for the under prize with 2 points. Speaking of Mr Norman…Last week he took a half point bye in round one so that he could go to the Go club meeting at Ga Tech. I’ve been in touch with the American Go Association and we may start having a Go night at the HOP. Let us know if you would be interested…Terry Krohe, aka "Woody", with his upset over "B" player James Stack in the first round, gained the most points, 39. Richard Lin gained 24, and even Bob Peatman managed to pick-up 20. Carter “Pinky” Peatman saw his dad’s last round scoresheet to his game with Mr Coney and said that he insisted Bob put his first name on it, as he did not want anyone to mistake it for one of his games, as Bob was completely lost at one point!Remember...Next week the EF goes to $6 for members and $10 for non-members. You MUST pay before being paired! If you call ahead, we will make a note of it, but you will NOT be paired. So please, get there early so we can avoid the crush of humanity we experienced this week.
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