Fihankra Chess Collective
Friday, April 23, 2004
Contents:
(1) Gothic Chess Fellowship--Extending Chess Culture
(2) Chess Ladder Management
(3)Local Chess Events
(4)Book of the Day: The Chess Analyst by Us CC Champion Jon Edwards
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(1)
Work with the Gothic Chess fellowships on www.brainking.com has been a great challenge. Currently many of the members are getting ready for the World Open which will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July, so some of the games are coming to an end. Below is an example of the evaluations as Fellowship leader and commentator that I have had to do. People are very competitive in this Correspondence Chess site both in Gothic Chess and also in Standard Chess. The sense of community is strong here, and the players find their level. “Water Wisdom” follows, each participating in her or his own way, some discussing theory, some relating anecdotes about their exposure to the standard game and how it has been affected by playing this particular variant, improvements to board vision, enhancements to their repertoire, how it has changed their perception of what is possible. For me, the leadership role has improved my understanding of how tournaments are run and maintained, and the involvement necessary in keeping the group moving forward in a positive way, as mediator, and also in the sense of keeping people interested in their own events, and the results of their fellow players. In a “time economy”, conciseness is important, and so is sparking interest quickly and effectively.
(2)
Below is my Ladder results as of April 11, 2004:
“I will try to resurface the ladder updates 2x/month when games are closing,once a month otherwise, so active players know who can be challenged. Thanks to all for keeping a good rhythm in checking on their games. Correspondence chess is not necessarily a ponderous weight to carry.
”I have enjoyed all of your participation in the games. Good job and thank you.
Fencer has successfully defended his position (#7) against Nasmichael and also HerculesBeast.
MatthewHall has challenged and beaten Spocko for position #13. Spocko sits at #15.
Clean4Today has successfully defended his position (#9) against bwildman.
MadMonkey challenged Felix, who declined, and is in the midst of one challenge (move 31) and one defense (move 7).
The challenge for position 6 [Greenknight challenged Tangram] is at move 26. Look into it.
As Slate* and Strydor have issued no challenges, and have not been asked, they are in a "conditional state"; I invite someone to challenge them. I would like to see a battle, so as to place them properly. New members are open to challenges, above or below, so go ahead...make their day! :D
Remember, top 5: After these 1st games are over, there should be a game between positions 1+2, 3+4, 5+6, if memory serves.
1.GothicInventor
2.Oliottavio *D
3.ChessCarpenter *C
4.Caissus *D
5.VikingX *C
******************************
6.Tangram *C
7.Fencer +2
8.Greenknight *C
8a.HerculesBeast -1
9.Clean4tToday +1
10.Nasmichael -1 (D)
11.BWildman -1 (C)(D)
12.MadMonkey +1 (C) (D)
13.MatthewHall +1
14.Lythande (D) (C)
15.Spocko -1
16.MidnightMcMedic (C)
17.Trepil (D)
18.Taikoki (C)
For the new players: Anyone can challenge you if you do not offer a challenge, and by beating you, put you in at the bottom of the ladder, so challenge someone, else you be challenged. (:D)
*new.Slate* (wants to offer challenge--can challenge anyone up to position 8 for 1st game)
*new.Strydor (ditto)
*new.DrRobinson
*new.Nstre
*new.DrGrdnr
*new.Felix
*new.Bumble
It would be good for all players here to invite our new folks to a game, "Sadie Hawkins" style.
Speak up, if you're interested.
“Also, here is a look at our Skittles Room today (Apr 11th)
DrRobinson v Spocko 317783--at move 7. Began on Apr 1.
HerculesBeast v Fencer 318003--0-1, Fencer wins the point.
Taikoki v trepil 296457--at 17th move, began on Mar 8.
MadMonkey v bwildman 293699--at 31st move. Began Mar 4.Black has punctured white's lines, but the knight attack on the perimeter is trying to keep the forces out and shore up the line. This looks like a battle, folks.
Lythande v MadMonkey295687--at move 7. Began Mar 7.
MidnightOMedic v Lythande290696--Began Mar 1, at move 16.
VikingX v Caissus293770--Began Mar 5, at move 19.
ChessCarpenter v Oliottavio290649--Began Mar 1, at move 23. Black is in check. Another knight assault pushes the black king out of his chambers.
Greenknight v tangram290317.--Began Mar 1, at move 26 now. Almost material equality, white to move.
bwildman v nasmichael 305779--off to a bad start for the defender.
Check us out.”
--from The Gothic Chess Ladder: Enter the Vortex
(3)Also, local events in Georgia are fast approaching.
APRIL 23-25 or 24-25: 35TH SOUTHERN CONGRESS (ACC - Decatur)
· Date : 23 April 2004
· Category : Open Tournaments
· Event description
5-SS, 30/90, SD/1 (2-day schedule Rd. 1 G/90). $$5,450 b/105 maximum, 50% GTD! In 5 sections. Open/Unr.: $600-400-300-200; u2200- $300-250-200. Under 2000: $300-250-200. Under 1800: $300-250-200. Under 1600: $300-250-200. Under 1400: $300-250-200, under 1200- $200. EF: $67 if received by 4/21; $73 at site. Re-entry: $35 (except open).
Bye: all, rounds 4 or 5 must commit before round 2. 3-day schedule: Reg.: ends 4/23 7:15 p.m. Rounds: 7:45, 2-7:30, 10-3:30. 2-day schedule: Reg.: ends 4/24 at 9:30 a.m. Round 1 at 10 a.m., then merges with 3-day. Hotel/Info: (404)-377-4400. Enter: Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East Ponce de Leon Ave., Scottdale, Ga. 30079. NS. NC. W. Grand Prix Points: 15.
AND
Atlanta May G/45 Championship (ACC -- Decatur)
· Date : 8 May 2004
· Category : Open Tournaments
· Event description
MAY 8: ATLANTA MAY G/45 CHAMPIONSHIP.
4-SS, G/45. In 2 sections: Open: EF: $22. $500 b/34. $150-90-60; U1900, U1700, U1500, U1300 each $50. U1100: EF: $13. Trophies to top 7 (not part of based on). Reg.: ends 10:30 a.m. Rounds: 11-1-3-5. Info: (404)-377-4400. Enter: Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East Ponce de Leon Ave., Scottdale, Ga. 30079. NS. NC.
AND
ATLANTA MAY SCHOLASTIC (ACC - Decatur)
· Date : 9 May 2004
· Category : Scholastic Tournaments
· Event description
4-SS, G/30. In 4 sections: High School: open to 9-12. Middle School: open to K-8. Elementary: open to K-6. Primary: open to K-3. All, EF: $13. Trophies to top 4 each section (based on 10 each section, more per entries). Reg: 12-1 p.m. Rounds: 1st at 1:30, rest as soon as possible. Awards ceremony right after last round. Info: (404)-377-4400. Enter: Atlanta Chess Center, 3155A East Ponce de Leon Ave., Scottdale, Ga. 30079. NS. NC.
So get ready!
Goto www.georgiachess.org for more details. They also provide a link to copies of the older magazines from the award-winning magazine Georgia Chess—a yearly membership gives you six issues a year, and for the price of 3 magazines; the others are icing on the cake. Excellent magazine. Look at this one from May-June 2002. (http://www.kidchess.net/gca/mayjune02.pdf)
Also, for a nice experience check out:
2004 GEORGIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Georgia Tech - Atlanta)
· Date : 14 May 2004
· Category : Open Tournaments
· Event description
The Georgia Open State Championship. May 14-16, 2004. 5-SS, G/150, (2-day schedule, rnd 1 G/90). Georgia Tech Student Center, 350 Ferst Drive, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0458.
$10,250 b/150 full pd 60%G. 4 Sections. Championship (over 1999): $1000-650-400-300, 2200-2299: 350, U2200: 600-400-250. A-B: 600-400-250, U1800: 500-300-200. C-D, Unr.: 600-400-250, U1400: 500-300-200, Unr: 200-100. Unrated may win unrated prize only. U1200: 600-400-250. U1000: 250. Trophy to top GA resident each section. EF: $40 to unrated. All others: $68 2-day schedule, $69 3-day schedule if money received by 5/12. $85 later or at site. Re-entry: $40, not available in Championship Section. Rated players may add $10 to play one section up, and are eligible for full prizes. Make checks payable to GCA. GCA membership required for Georgia residents. 3-day schedule: Reg. 6-7 p.m. on 5/14. Rounds 7:30, 2-7:30, 10-4. 2-day schedule: Reg. 8:30-9:30 a.m. on 5/15. Round 1 at 10am, then merges with 3-day. GCA annual membership meeting at 3 p.m. on 5/16. 1/2 point bye available any round, limit 2. Must commit when entering, no changes. Ent: GCA, PO Box 1611, Decatur, GA 30031-1611. Info: Scott Parker, 770-939-5030, treasurer@GeorgiaChess.org.
Book of the day:
The Chess Analyst by US Correspondence Champion Jon Edwards. Available at http://queensac.com/ and it is great so far. Edwards makes the avenue into deeper chess an easy one, in the sense that “easy” is something that can be accomplished with the tools available. The writing is engaging, and he does a great job of writing in a language players understand, as well as non-players. Chess, by practice, makes a person “bilingual”, having to speak the language of the board as well as a more widespoken local tongue. Many players fall far short of the mark in exposing others to the game by not taking into account that the new adventurer will have little idea of the language, and the chain of communication breaks. Edwards, from his teaching experience with kids understands that it does not matter whether or not the person who desires to learn this game has been exposed to it before—a real teacher meets the person where she or he is and conducts them to the agreed-upon goal. That is the meaning of “Education”—‘to lead out of’ one state into another state. The root of both words, conduct and educate, is “To Lead”. Fancy language about opening theory and board position is useless if it hides from the learner how to get there. During my time as a chess player, I have discovered how intellectually stingy many chess players can be. The goal for me is engagement and advertisement—the role of chess enthusiast requires that I make the game and its culture accessible to the masses, and let them decide. The oligarchy of narrow-minded chessdom is broken by the writing of this insightful and book, and to my novice eyes, the lessons are quite valuable. I am intrigued by the sharper play of the correspondence player, and also his desire to add to the experience by sharing parts of his life as well as his skill. It makes for a more complete and uplifting experience. This is one of the bridges I will conduct my students upon as I expose more people to the game of chess. Chess culture is as important as opening play—perhaps more players will learn proper chess etiquette by having to play over-the-board, and then supplement the experience by having a chess pen-pal. Edwards and I corresponded briefly, and his attitude is as warm and engaging off the chess topic as it is on-topic. Check out the book; reading it and playing through his games will change the way you play your own games.
