tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.comments2011-08-04T00:27:27.304-07:00Gary Walters ChessGraysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-73810633333726685672010-06-16T23:01:57.246-07:002010-06-16T23:01:57.246-07:00Gary,
I hope you are successful in the current US...Gary,<br /><br />I hope you are successful in the current USCF election. The United States Chess Federation needs more individuals with impressive credentials and an honest passion for chess. Please consider referring your readers to my "Open Letter to Mayor Newsom Post." The city of San Francisco has shut down the legendary Market Street chess games and this decision needs to be reversed.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Chris TorresAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-36494209372990263222010-06-03T16:48:42.795-07:002010-06-03T16:48:42.795-07:00I sent my ballot in today. You have my vote. Good ...I sent my ballot in today. You have my vote. Good luck.Lynn Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14758458143823510696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-52709428668748176522010-05-29T07:21:16.377-07:002010-05-29T07:21:16.377-07:00Klaus, my plan at present is to run. Obviously, t...Klaus, my plan at present is to run. Obviously, this election will have some bearing on that decision. My sense is that I have much to bring to the USCF, and that includes more than being a lawyer. To the extent that I believe I can help more than others running, I plan to carry on. Should others convince me that they bring more to the USCF, and they're willing to run, I'll step aside.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-80267678911080487162010-05-29T06:39:26.848-07:002010-05-29T06:39:26.848-07:00Gary, if elected, will you be running for a full t...Gary, if elected, will you be running for a full term in 2011?Klaus Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01802238404284794597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-17432406727799607222010-04-28T05:11:44.155-07:002010-04-28T05:11:44.155-07:00Perhap "boring" was a little harsh, but ...Perhap "boring" was a little harsh, but it seems to me that White is the one with most of the choice to take the gambit into wild areas. The most significant exception is if Black plays 4...g5 instead of 4...Nc6 as above. (I would not mind facing 4...g5 at all in a CC game.) In any event, I absolutely agree with you that at the club level the opening has surprise value. As for the Fararowicz, I'll look again. I explored this a couple of years back as an OTB weapon, but abandoned it for fear of running into a White player who actually knows it, such as a local blitz wizard whose best friend has played it 100 times. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think it holds up theoretically, but I will look again. I have Harding's book but not Gutman's. I'll get it.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-68424008055877192602010-04-25T12:56:57.941-07:002010-04-25T12:56:57.941-07:00Thanks, John. I appreciate your support.Thanks, John. I appreciate your support.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-46036771554929922702010-04-24T21:42:51.116-07:002010-04-24T21:42:51.116-07:00Gary, although I've had no more to say about t...Gary, although I've had no more to say about the election since the irascible and curmudgeonly post you quoted earlier, I've been favorably impressed by your qualifications and campaign statements. I don't agree with you on every issue, but I plan to vote for you, and would do so even if the alternative weren't the egregious Sloan. Good luck.John Hilleryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04253272911135858871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-58524731466497611462010-04-24T11:50:36.824-07:002010-04-24T11:50:36.824-07:00hey man, nice to see the Budapest get some attenti...hey man, nice to see the Budapest get some attention!<br /><br />I like the Ng4 version as black, but generally play the ne4 line in fact. It is more than playable, and totally sound, if not somehwat to difficult to learn as there are lot of nuances. <br /><br />There is a recent book, poorly presented but with fantastic analysis and coverage. (Lev Gutman wrote it). <br /><br />Many d4 c4 players just do not know it at all, and although they can find straightforward moves easily enough gnerally, at least I have the advantage of familiarity with the position and can generally get a good middlegame. I don't think it is boring, as you imply - although several exchanges can occur early on. <br /><br />There is also the possiblity of the real crazy lines showing up like the early b6 lines when Q x R?! leads to queen getting trapped. this comes up often as people think a3 is a good move to play early on as white.LukeBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08513254578415358271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-52161498562955270252010-04-05T11:50:20.271-07:002010-04-05T11:50:20.271-07:00First, thanks for voting. I mean that. We need U...First, thanks for voting. I mean that. We need USCF members to inform themselves and make good choices for U.S. chess. Second, I hope you'll venture out and give the USCF a try again in the near future. If not OTB, then through Alex Dunne and CC. One of my goals will be to improve CC play in the USCF. Finally, thank you for posting here. It's a great game and the more that can be found out about it on the Internet, the better. To that end, I had a look around your site today. I found it interesting and well done. <br />Best, -GaryGraysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-5008710657078101692010-04-05T11:36:51.533-07:002010-04-05T11:36:51.533-07:00You will be getting my vote. I'm a life member...You will be getting my vote. I'm a life member of the USCF since the days it cost $100, so it's been a long time. Being a correspondence player I haven't played OTB for over 30 years and abandoned the USCF's postal chess over 20 years ago, preferring to play server based CC on places like the CCLA, Chessworld and Queen Alice due to the USCF's neglect of this area. So although I've all but abandoned the USCF, I'd still like to see the organization cleaned up.Tartajubowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07825756152678176267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-80648295130541115962010-03-28T23:25:59.075-07:002010-03-28T23:25:59.075-07:00I am not crazy about 501(c)(3) status for USCF. 5...I am not crazy about 501(c)(3) status for USCF. 501(c)(3)'s are indeed good for chess; I'm not sure that the national membership org should be that entity.<br /><br />Perhaps #3 would be better recast? The hypothetical US version of Corus could & would be expensed as marketing; a private donor could run thru US Chess Trust or form own 501(c)(3). <br /><br />Your point is a good one: I just wouldn't foreground the nonprofit status.Bill Brockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14550157556545540714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-83678861348439849492010-03-24T03:04:32.747-07:002010-03-24T03:04:32.747-07:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.精采https://www.blogger.com/profile/06423983138454336713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-39732986557604116122010-03-12T10:00:51.835-08:002010-03-12T10:00:51.835-08:00Gary,
There are 3 threads brewing in the USCF Iss...Gary,<br /><br />There are 3 threads brewing in the USCF Issues forum for which I would like your perspective. These 2 threads discuss the USCF financial situation and how to address it:<br /><br />"EB Meeting 2/20/2010"<br />"Life Members' Asset Management Committee (LMA)"<br /><br />There is also a thread on the financial aspects of our recent litigation strategy:<br /><br />"The LMA Perspective on USCF legal strategy"<br /><br />I would think that your perspective as a litigator would be especially useful.Chris Falterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06428157849749887265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-814990560069435912010-03-08T19:24:56.341-08:002010-03-08T19:24:56.341-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-38871057999043316732010-03-07T19:12:11.605-08:002010-03-07T19:12:11.605-08:00Sebastian, I believe there are a large number of p...Sebastian, I believe there are a large number of players who play by the rules of the tourney they are participating in. Some allow computers, some don't. Nevertheless, in a tournament of, say, 13 players, it would be likely that you will face several computers regardless of the rules. My view is don't fret it. There's no question that a good CC player with a small gameload can compete with the best machines. The chess will be rich and productive, whether the other player is using an engine or not. You will certainly lose some games tactically. In the ICCF, where machines are openly allowed, you also will almost certainly never win a tournament by blindly following the best engine unless you have the computing power and time to run every move 30 ply deep. I can't remotely do that, although there may be some who can. Bottom line is that the human component is critical to success, and if you have enough time, you can be competitive without a machine.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-8841951517405498242010-03-07T11:15:04.093-08:002010-03-07T11:15:04.093-08:00Gary, thank you for a very interesting blog. I nee...Gary, thank you for a very interesting blog. I need to ask a question, a question I've asked of many cc players, do you use a computer to help you play? Do you use a machine to help generate moves? Why do I care? Because I'm a guy who wants to know if there's any hope whatsoever for a non-computer player in the modern chess world. I'm hoping that somebody will answer me and say, "Sebastian! you don't need a pc to play cc!! You can play rich and interesting and competitive chess just by working hard and not giving up. And you might never win a tournament but you'll get better and learn about the game!" I'm hoping that you'll be the one to tell me that and that you play without the assistance of machines because up to now the answer I've been getting is,"Sebastian! Don't be naive. If you don't have a machine playing your moves you'll never win a game and you'll never play a competitive game of cc." Cheers and thanks for the blog.<br />Sebastian at sebastian.palozzi@gmail.comSebastianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18319899809231994010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-49867543231304396962010-02-13T23:21:49.323-08:002010-02-13T23:21:49.323-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-26352605378414731092010-02-10T11:35:18.766-08:002010-02-10T11:35:18.766-08:00I'm unclear. I'd presumed up to the time ...I'm unclear. I'd presumed up to the time of your comment that SB would be used to break any tie, as the tiebreaker appears on the crosstable. Upon a little reflection, however, that may simply be a function of the ICCF server. I looked briefly at the rules and at Alex's letter initiating the tournament and neither offers help. I note that Alex has referred a couple of times in The Check Is In The Mail to players being tied for first, but that's not conclusive either because the crosstables weren't shown and it's possible, I suppose, that the players were tied by SB, too. In any event, some level of bragging rights are at stake. I would have tiebreaks over O'Hare, but not over Sogin. GaryGraysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-60545463242962175752010-02-10T11:11:38.411-08:002010-02-10T11:11:38.411-08:00In case of a tie, is the title shared or is the so...In case of a tie, is the title shared or is the sonnegorn-berger tie-breaker used to determine a champion?Klaus Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01802238404284794597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-20943120577249525542010-01-30T15:08:29.566-08:002010-01-30T15:08:29.566-08:00That's a strong event if Joe Shipman is in las...That's a strong event if Joe Shipman is in last place!Bill Brockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14550157556545540714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-12470557314009421752010-01-27T12:52:16.384-08:002010-01-27T12:52:16.384-08:00I'm jealous. It's a great event, especial...I'm jealous. It's a great event, especially in the early stages when there are a lot of players present and the potential for upsets.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-28379527363698086082010-01-26T21:09:43.596-08:002010-01-26T21:09:43.596-08:00It will be great to watch World Cup 2010 - G3, i h...It will be great to watch World Cup 2010 - G3, i have bought tickets from <br />http://ticketfront.com/event/World_Cup_2010_G3-tickets looking forward to it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-28587796699526339472010-01-17T11:57:07.500-08:002010-01-17T11:57:07.500-08:00Smeets blundered with 32...b5? Carlsen took it ho...Smeets blundered with 32...b5? Carlsen took it home for the point from there. It'll be interesting to hear from Carlsen how much he saw at that point. I'm not sure where you were following the game, but if it was at Chessdom, the clocks aren't reliable. I'm less sure about PlayChess.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-90055105962760374842010-01-17T10:55:19.139-08:002010-01-17T10:55:19.139-08:00Hiya,
What happened in the last few moves before ...Hiya,<br /><br />What happened in the last few moves before move 40 between Carlsen and Smeets?<br />I kept on seeing that they had both run out of time, but they played on regardless.<br /><br />and have you ever seen Carlsen in time trouble? It must have been fascinating to watch then in that Zeitnot.<br /><br />Jo Deane<br />nxd4.comjocohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08443120495036936430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809932052245826792.post-24821919496731117372010-01-13T09:02:04.237-08:002010-01-13T09:02:04.237-08:00I believe you're right.I believe you're right.Graysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07852655385684288369noreply@blogger.com