Finally a nice day!

Its finally a beautiful day in Nebraska! Got the computer outside and the girls are playing in the dirt just like their brothers taught them to do. Now the big question is do I take a weekend off of my chess studies and spend some time in the yard, or hide in the house and concentrate on getting better at my game??

Looks like chess is loosing out again!

L8R

Raths

Tournament is a no go!

Well, while I have to grade my progress as a "C" for this week, it is irrelevant now. We decided to take the tournament money and invest in a gas grill. After talking about the situation, the wife and I decided that the money was better spent.


As you can see, we went with a big one! It has 474 square inches if primary cooking area, 3 stainless steel burners, side burner and cast iron grates. 36,000 BTU! This baby gets hot! It will go up to 500 degrees in about 10 minutes (which is about the temp that I like to clean it at). St. Pat's day we cooked a 12 pound brisket on it and it barely make a dent in what I can fit on it. Tonight we cooked a few chops and they came out just beautiful.


Some may ask why we went with such a big grill and the answer is easy. We have a big family! We have 5 kids in the house. My best friend, who is married to my wife's cousin (more like sisters really) also have 5 kids in the house. Add my dad (a widower) and Bob's mom (a widow) and the friends of the kids that always seem to show up on the weekends, and its not unusual to be cooking steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers, beans and whatever for 20+ people. And don't even get me started if we're cooking ribs! And all this is just the every weekend folks. On the Fourth of July we can easily bump it up to 30 to 40 people, as we have a decent view of the city fireworks display from the back yard.


All of this requires a lot of yard work, preparation of food, and lost sleep time. But it is all worth it to be surrounded by friends and family and food (and beer...can't forget the beer)!

Second week's grade

Well, time to grade the second week's worth of training. Its a couple of days late, but better late than never! This week's grade: C+

I got a lot of things done. Made good headway in my book. Started using ChessMaster. Even played a few games against Fritz. I haven't been getting my three games a day in on the PlayChess though. I'm still finding it hard due to the kids and everything. The interruptions are killer on the concentration. But I still think that I'm much more mentally prepared than I was for the first tournament.

Now to just get the money straight. While the entry is only $10 at the door, this little excursion is going to include a hotel stay, meals for my wife and I, and shopping for the Mrs. while I'm playing. So as you can see, it could be an expensive weekend!

L8R

Raths

First week of training.

Well I guess that it's time to grade my first week of tournament training. Unfortuneatly I have to give myself a D-. I got almost nothing done because I came down with the flu that my wife had last week. I basically stayed in bed for 5 days in a row. If it weren't for the laptop, I wouldn't have even made any chess moves. So being sick is the reason I gave myself a D-. If I were well, it would have been a definite F.

I did get the ChessMaster 9000 installed on the laptop, but when I went to do some puzzles last night it totally froze up the computer. Not sure what exactly I did wrong but it seemed to be working until I decided to upgrade the program. I think today while I'm babysitting I'm going to uninstall it and reinstall and see if it will work without the upgrade.

Next week should be better as I'm feeling about 90% better. But this whole week is important time that was lost. Time to get back on track!

L8R

Raths

Defenders of the Crown

I have decided to take part in another tournament. I paid $65 for the first one, including all the necessary memberships, so I figure that I should at least try to get my money's worth out of the USCF and the NSCA! The upcoming tourney is the weekend of March 24th, giving me almost 3 weeks to get ready. I have posted up a question on the Chess Exchange Forum and already gotten some good feedback.

In preparation, I'm going to load up my ChessMaster 9000 disk on my laptop and try to go through the tactical puzzles everyday. I am also going to get at least three 10 minuet games a day on the Playchess and I have upped my game load on ChessWorld to 24 games. I am still working my way through "The Complete Idiots Guide to Chess", but in a more casual way than I'm planning on pursuing games. I get a lot from reading, but I feel I really need the practice of more games to put what I'm learning to use.

The major drawback from all this practice is I will have to sacrifice some sleep. Working third shift, I have gotten used to taking a nap from about 8:30 to 10:30. But this is the time that I will be on PlayChess. Ahh the sacrifices of seeking success! I'll let you know how everything is going soon!

L8R

Raths

2 Games Up

I finally got around to entering in the games from the first two rounds from the Columbus Valentine tournament. The first game was a rather short one. I had 39 minutes remaining and my opponent had 41. It was not the best game that I have ever played. the second game lasted much longer, with myself having 13 minutes and Durwood having only 2 minutes left. After he captured my queen on move 10 I decided to pull back and play for a draw. Unfortunately he was able to promote his f pawn and was able to get behind my king and chase me into submission. I'll try to get my third game up in a couple of days. Its just so hectic around the house I can't get anything done. The link to the games is under "View my games" on the right.

L8R

Raths

Columbus Valentine Tournament

I decided to go ahead and play in the tournament today instead of just watching. It was a good experience, even tough I went 1/2-4 (I think that's the way that you put that you got one half point out of a possible 4). I got the 1/2 point by taking a bye in the last round. It was a 4:20 start time for the round, and the day started at 8:30 in the morning. By the end of the third round I was exhausted, and my play really suffered. In fact I came home, ate some pizza and went to bed. I tried to get some good sleep last night, but being so used to being up all night for work, it was an off and on type sleep.

I played in the reserve section (under 1500) with 4 other guys, all rated in the 1200's. I figured that I didn't stand much of a chance, so loosing all the games I played was not as depressing as it could have been. I was also able to get the number one seed in the section to go over our game, which was very informative. This was also the game where I made the most obvious blunders! Now I understand why they say that chess players have to be in good physical shape.

I am going to input my games into ChessDB and get a PGN file of them so I can post them on my past games list so all of you can take a look, but I'm still a bit tired and I have to be awake to babysit in the morning, so that will have to wait. So until next time.....

L8R

Raths

"An Introduction to Chess Moves and Tactics Simply Explained"

I just finished "An Introduction to Chess Moves and Tactics Simply Explained" by Leonard Barden. A good book, although you can tell it is a bit aged. I think that the best part of the book is the annotated game in the last chapter. It gives a good insight as to why a move is a good one or a bad one. I haven't gotten much exposure to the why of a move and I found it quite interesting.

Logged into the PlayChess server and got in a good game. I actually ended up winning by black's resignation. I also put in my serial number, so I am an official member for the next year. I think I really need to get on there more and get the experience.

L8R

Raths

More books arrived!

I just received my latest book order. I got "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" and a new title, "The Big Book of Chess" by Eric Schiller. You know I'm considering the "Guide" as my bible for the moment. "The Big Book of Chess" appears to be a "covers everything" type of book (from scanning the contents). It looks to explain all of the aspects of the grand game, from a bit on openings and endgames, to explaining the different tournament types, to the proper appearance and attitude to have at a chess event (again just from reading the contents). This looks like one that I can't wait to delve into!

L8R

Raths

Scathing game report!

I just got checkmated in a game on the ChessWorld.net. I decided to go ahead and run the game through a full analysis with Fritz 10. I thought that we each played a pretty good game and I simply lost in the endgame. Turns out Fritz figured that I was lost ofter move 9 or 10! Here is the analysis for your reading pleasure:

[Event "www.ChessWorld.net server game"]
[Site "www.ChessWorld.net "]
[Date "2007.02.10"]
[Round "?.22"]
[White "Raths"]
[Black "guynaub"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C27"]
[WhiteElo "1523"]
[BlackElo "1190"]
[Annotator "Fritz 10 (30s)"]
[PlyCount "112"]
[EventDate "2007.??.??"]
{C27: Vienna Game: 2...Nf6 3 Bc4 Nxe4}
1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d3 Bb4+ {last book move}
4. Nc3 d5 {Black threatens to win material: d5xc4}
5. a3 $4 {with this move White loses his initiative} (5. exd5 Nxd5 6. Qf3 Be6 $14) 5...Ba5 (5... Bxc3+ $5 {seems even better}
6. bxc3 dxc4 7. Nf3 $19) 6. Nf3 $4 {White lets it slip away} (6. exd5 $142 {is the best chance} Bg4 7. f3 $14) 6...dxc4 $19 7. dxc4 (7. Nxe5 cxd3 8. cxd3 $19)
7... Nc6 (7... Bxc3+ $142 $5 {makes it even easier for Black} 8. bxc3 Qxd1+ 9. Kxd1 Nxe4 10. Re1 Nxf2+ 11.Ke2 $19) 8. O-O $4 {further deteriorates the position} (8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. b4Nxb4 10. axb4 Bxb4 $17)
8... Be6 (8... Bxc3 $142 {and the result of the game is clear: Black will win} 9. Qxd8+ Kxd8 10. bxc3Nxe4 $19)
9. b4 Bb6 (9... Bxc4 $142 10. bxa5 Bxf1 11. Qxf1 a6 $19)
10. Qe2 $4 (10. c5 $142 {had to be tried to avoid defeat} Bxc5 11. bxc5 $15) 10... Nd4 $1911. Qd3 Bxc4 (11... Nxf3+ $142 {and Black takes home the point} 12. Qxf3 Bxc4$19)
12. Qxc4 $15 Nxc2 {Black king safety dropped} (12... Nxf3+ 13. gxf3 Qd414. Qb3 $15)
13. Ra2 {White threatens to win material: Ra2xc2} Bd4 $4 {The black bishop on an outpost} (13... Nd4 $142 {saving the game} 14. Nxe5 Qe7$11)
14. Ng5 (14. Rxc2 {might be the shorter path} O-O 15. Rd1 Qe7 16. Nxd4exd4 17. Rxd4 Rfe8 $18)
14... Rf8 (14... O-O 15. Rxc2 c6 $18)
15. Rxc2 a5 (15... c6 {cannot change destiny} 16. Ne2 Bb6 17. Ng3 $18)
16. Rd1 Ra6 (16... c6{is not the saving move} 17. Nf3 axb4 18. axb4 $18 (18. Rxd4 $6 {is clearly worse} exd4 19. Nb1 Nxe4 $16) (18. Nxd4 $6 {is clearly inferior}bxc3 19. Bf4 exf4 $18))
17. Qb5+ (17. Nf3 $142 {seems even better} axb4 18.axb4 Ng4 19. Nxd4 exd4 $18)
17... Qd7 (17... c6 {does not solve anything} 18.Qe2 axb4 19. axb4 $18)
18. Qxb7 Rb6 (18... Rd6 {desperation} 19. Qa8+ Ke7 20.Qxa5 Bxc3 $18)
19. Qa8+ Ke7 20. Qa7 (20. Qxa5 $142 {keeps an even firmer grip}Re8 21. Be3 Kf8 $18)
20... c6 (20... axb4 {a fruitless try to alter the course of the game} 21. Ne2 c6 22. Qxd7+ Nxd7 23.axb4 $18)
21. Qxd7+ (21. Qxa5 $142 {secures the point} Rb7 22. Nf3 $18)
21...Nxd7 22. Nxh7 Rh8 23. Ng5 Nf6 (23... axb4 {praying for a miracle} 24. axb4 Rhb8$18)
24. bxa5 Ra6 25. Bd2 (25. Ne2 $142 {and White can already relax} Ba7 26.Ng3 g6 $18)
25... Rxa5 (25... Ng4 {does not improve anything} 26. Be1 Rxh2 27.Nf3 $18)
26. Rb1 (26. Ne2 $142 $5 {seems even better} Rha8 27. Bxa5 Rxa5 28.Rxc6 Rxa3 29. Rc7+ Nd7 30. Nxd4 exd4 31. Nxf7 Rc3 $18)
26... Rha8 (26... Rc5 {does not save the day} 27. Rb7+ Nd7 28. Nf3 $18)
27. Rb7+ (27. Nd5+ $142 {might be the shorter path} Rxd5 28. exd5 $18)
27... Kd6 (27... Ke8 {cannot undo what has already been done} 28. Nd5 $1 {Decoy: d5} R5a7 29. Nxf6+gxf6 30. Rxa7 Rxa7 31. Nh7 Rxa3 32. Nxf6+ Kd8 33. h4 Ra1+ 34. Kh2 $18) 28. a4 (28. Nb5+ cxb5 29. Nxf7+ Ke6 30. Rc6#)
28... R8a7 (28... c5 {does not help much}29. Rxf7 Rxa4 30. Nxa4 Rxa4 31. Rxg7 $18)
29. Rxf7 (29. Nb5+ cxb5 30. Nxf7+ Ke631. Rc6#)
29... Bxc3 (29... Rxf7 {doesn't do any good} 30. Nb5+ $3 {Discovered attack: c3, d2-a5} Rxb5 31. Nxf7+ (31. axb5 $6 Rc7 $18) 31... Ke732. axb5 Kxf7 33. bxc6 Nxe4 34. Bb4 $18)
30. Bxc3 Rxa4 31. h3 (31. f3 $142 {keeps an even firmer grip} c5 $18)
31... Ra2 (31... Rxf7 {doesn't change the outcome of the game} 32. Nxf7+ Ke7 33. Nxe5 Rxe4 34. Nxc6+Kf7 35. Rb2 $18)
32. Bb2 (32. Bb4+ {makes it even easier for White} c5 33. Rxc5R2a4 34. Rcc7+ Rxb4 35. Rxa7 Nxe4 36. Rfd7+ Kc5 37. Rac7+ Kb5 38. Rb7+ Kc6 39.Rdc7+ Kd5 40. Rxb4 Nxg5 41. Rb5+ Ke6 42. Rb6+ Kd5 43. Rd7+ Kc5 $18)
32... Nxe4(32... Rxf7 {is the last straw} 33. Bxe5+ $1 {Decoy: d5} Kxe5 34. Nxf7+ Kxe435. Rxa2 c5 $18)
33. Nxe4+ Kd5
34. Nf6+ $1 {surprise!} Ke6 (34... gxf6 35. Xxf6{Combination})
35. Rf8 (35. Rxa7 $142 {and White can celebrate victory} Rxa736. Rxc6+ Kf7 $18)
35... gxf6 (35... Ke7 {cannot change what is in store for ?}36. Nh7 Rb7 37. Ba3+ Rxa3 38. Rxc6 $18)
36. Rxc6+ Ke7 (36... Kd5 {doesn't improve anything} 37. Rb6 R2a6 38. Rfxf6 Rxb6 39. Rxb6 e4 $18)
37.Rfxf6 (37. Rcxf6 $142 {and White can already relax} e4 38. Bd4 R7a6 39. Bc5+Kd7 40. R8f7+ Kc8 $18)
37... Ke8 (37... Rxb2 38. g4 e4 $18)
38. Bxe5 Re2 (38...Rd2 {doesn't change anything anymore} 39. Rh6 Rd5 40. f4 $18)
39. Bd4 (39. f4 {makes it even easier for White} Rd7 $18)
39... Rd7 (39... Rb7 {doesn't get the bull off the ice} 40. Bc5 Kd8 41. Rf8+ Re8 42. Rc8+ Kxc8 43.Rxe8+ Kd7 44. Re7+ Kc6 45. Rxb7 Kxb7 46. h4 $18)
40. Rc8+ (40. Bc5 {seems even better} Kd8 41. Rh6 Rb7 42. Bb6+ Rxb6 43. Rxb6 Kc7 $18)
40... Rd8 (40... Ke7 {does not win a prize} 41. Rff8 Kd6 42. Bc5+ Kd5 43. g4 $18)
41. Rc7(41. Rxd8+ $142 {makes sure everything is clear} Kxd8 42. f4 $18)
41... Rxd4 42. Rff7 Rd1+ 43. Kh2 Rdd2 (43... Rc1 {doesn't get the cat off the tree} 44. f4$18)
44. g4 (44. Rh7 $142 {and White has reached his goal} Rxf2 45. Rc8+ Rd846. Rh8+ Ke7 47. Rcxd8 $18)
44... Rxf2+ 45. Kg3 (45. Rxf2 $142 {and White wins}Rxf2+ 46. Kg3 $18)
45... Rxf7 $19 46. Rc8+ Kd7 47. Rc4 (47. Rc3 Rf6 $19)
47...Re7 (47... Rd3+ {and Black can already relax} 48. Kh4 $19)
48. g5 (48. h4 Re3+49. Kf4 Red3 $19)
48... Rd6 (48... Re5 $5 {keeps an even firmer grip} 49. h4Red5 50. g6 $19)
49. h4 Rh7 (49... Re1 $5 50. Rb4 $19)
50. Kg4 Rd2 51. h5 $4 {leading to a quick end} (51. Kf5 $142 $19)
51... Rg2+ 52. Kh4 Rh2+ 53. Kg4R2xh5 (53... R7xh5 {might be the shorter path} 54. Rc3 Rh8 55. Kf4 $19)
54.Rd4+ (54. Rc5 Ke6 55. Rc6+ Ke5 56. Rc5+ Ke4 57. Rc4+ Kd5 $19)
54... Ke7 55. g6(55. Re4+ {a last effort to resist the inevitable} Kf7 56. Rf4+ Kg8 57. Rf2 $19)
55... Rh4+ 56. Kg5 (56. Kg3 {there is nothing better in the position} Rxd457. gxh7 $19)
56... R7h5# (56... Rxd4 $6 {is a weaker possibility} 57. gxh7 Rd858. Kg6 $11)
0-1

Another Picture!

My baby girl just saw that her picture was no longer featured on my blog, so she made me put up another. And she is so cute I couldn't resist!

This was taken on Brutus' first night in the house. You can tell that he took right to the little one. It has been about 6 months since this was taken, and Brutus is a lot bigger, and still has his job as foot warmer for the 3 year old. He has also assumed the position of co-trouble maker and official blame dog for her. And he preforms these duties as a good god should!

L8R

Raths

Started a new book!

I've started reading "An Introduction to Chess Moves and Tactics Simply Explained" by Leonard Barden. Barden is a British Chess Co-Champion from 1954, and the book was first published in 1959 and reprinted in 1964. Very interesting book covering the most basic tactical concepts. It was a good choice as a shorter book to get into the mind of a very good chess player. It is also exposing me to a bit of different notation, as it is continually using terms like King's pawn and Queen's Rook. I think at this point it is a little confusing at times, but it is a good mental workout trying to visualize the moves with this type of notation and less detailed diagrams than what is contained in the "Idiot's Guide", which I'm considering as my chess bible for the time being.

I'm missing another Saturday night at the chess club. Having this little laptop and the ability to get onto Playchess just makes it so easy to sit here in my pajamas and get my weekly chess fix. I know the internet games are no substitute for real OTB chess, but I'm still getting a few games in a week with my 14 year old son, who unfortunately isn't reading and trying to progress like I was hoping. Oh well, I don't want to force him and he still likes playing, although I know the frustration of losing repeatedly!

L8R

Raths

Paid my membership at ChessWorld.net

After a week of back and forth decision making I have finally decided to drop $28.50 on a membership to the ChessWorld.net site. I do like the interface and there are so many options that you get after paying. And I saved $11 over Gameknot. That gave me money to order the "Complete Idiots Guide to Chess" , which I'm liking so much I figured that I would get a copy for the house (the Mrs. has to take the one I'm reading back to the library on Friday). The only thing that I think I will miss is the little flashing Gameknot tool bar in the corner of my browser. That's an easy thing to get addicted to!

I'll let you know how my progress is going after I get around the ChessWorld.net a bit more.

L8R

Raths

Rough stretch lately...

I've been on a loosing streak as of late. I guess that I haven't made as big of a jump as I once thought. Of course, I was not playing much over the last week may have had the effect of slanting my memory as to how many games I was winning.

I've requested the weekend of Feb. 17th off work to attend the Valentine tournament. I don't think that I'm going to play, but it will be the first tournament that I am going to even see in person. I think it will be a good chance for me to see how things work and get some of the nerves out of the way in my preparation for next year. Hopefully I will be in the 1300 range and have the possibility of being competitive.

I've made it half way through "Chess Software User's Guide" and have a fair understanding of exactly what a chess database program can do for my game and how to use one. I have downloaded "ChessDB" which seems to be a pretty powerful program for being free and comes highly recommended.

I've also made it to the tactics section of "The Complete Idiots Guide to Chess". Nothing overly new in the book so far, which I think is a good thing. It proves that I have at least been playing the game correctly!

L8R

Raths

Up, running and playing!

Everything is up and running smoothly. I still can't quite get to my pictures folder on the main computer, but I think I can live with this the was it is for a few days. I need a break from computers and focus a bit more on chess! Won 2 games on the playchess.com, BTW! Over all not a bad day!

Really liking the Fritz 10. In friend mode it is a good opponent. Aggressive but not so much so that you have no chance against it. Haven't tried it in tournament mode yet, which I'm sure is much tougher. My 14 year old boy has even used it a couple of times, although he prefers ChessMaster 9000.

I even got Absolute Poker up and running for my wife. It seems as though PartyPoker.net doesn't like Windows Vista. I'm still up in the air over it myself, but that's whats on the laptop, so I guess I just have to learn my way around!

If you play on Absolute Poker and see a Mrs_Raths, tell her I told you to say "HI"!

L8R

Raths

Got it to work!!

This is my first post from the the comfort of my living room! I realise that I'm jumping onto the whole wireless bandwagon late compaired to some, but at least I finally got here!

The laptop is finally up and on the net. It seems as though all of my connection problems were due to the fact that I didn't unplug my router when I had the laptop running. I have my Fritz 10 working on it and I can't wait til I get off work so I can try out PlayChess.com on the laptop! So far life is just grand!

L8R

Raths

Long week!

What a long week so far! Two first responder meetings at work that lasted most of the morning. Its kind of hard to stay awake after an 8 hour shift while in a dark room watching first aid videos!

Received my order from Wholesale Chess right on time as always. Now I have 7 books to make it through when I find the time! And I'm really liking Fritz 10. Great graphics, I enjoy the little comments that the program makes as your playing, and I have actually beat it twice in friend mode! I thought it would be years until that happened!

On another note, the Mrs got me a late Christmas present of an Acer laptop ($500 one from walmart)! All I was really concerned was that Fritz would run on it, but since it had the wireless built in, I just had to get a wireless router. Now if I could only figure out how to get everything to talk together I think I might be happy for a while. More on this if I figure it out!

L8R

Raths

Very Cool Morning

I logged into my PlayChess.com account because I heard that one of the matches at the Corus tournament was going on and I wanted to take a look. And who should log in but Nigel Short, a grandmaster that I have actually heard of! I was very pleased to read his comments and watch the game, even though he said that the Radjabov, T - Topalov match was a decided draw even before it started.

Of course I have no opinion on this, as I am a new comer to all of this GM stuff, and this is the first GM game that I have had the pleasure of watching live with commentary. I did enjoy the lively discussion, although I did not take part. I think I'm intimidated by the high rankings that I see on the server.

On another note, the Idiots Guide to Chess, is a good book so far. I have made it through the first three chapters in the first section and there were no surprises. This gives me confidence that I have a good understanding of the rules and the way that the pieces move, including en passant, which is a relatively new discovery for me.

L8R
Raths

Chess order is on the way!

My future grandmasters!

What a long night at work! After being sick with the flu for a couple of days, its hard to get back into the swing of things. And I found out that we are working 6 hours on Sunday! Oh well, the check will be worth it.

Got my email confirming that my latest chess purchase is on the way. I can't decide if I'm more excited about getting some good books or the Fritz 10. And if the excitement is for the Fritz, is it the program itself or the code for the one year subscription to the PlayChess site. I know that I'm looking forward to getting into the Fritz teaching mode. I think this will help me out a lot.

Speaking of learning, the Mrs is picking up The Complete Idiots Guide to Chess from the library as I type. It is very well recommended as a first book and getting it from the library should tide me over till my order arrives.

PlayChess has gotten a bit tougher, as I have lost 3 or 4 games in a row now, but I think that was due to the fact that I was "under the weather". And it has brought my rating down to the more realistic 1100 range, which is probably still inflated, but where I like to think that I am. I'm also sporting an 1161 on GameKnot, my best in a while.

L8R

Raths

First timer...thanks for looking!

Well this is my first attempt at a blog. As you can probably tell, its main focus will be on my continuing education in the wonderful game of chess, although it will probably end up being a catch all for what ever I feel like posting up at the moment. I have to admit I have a lot of varied interest and sometimes I just need to get some thoughts down. What better place to try and organize myself!

I think I'll start with telling a little about myself. My real name is Steve S., aged 38, and I live in a mid sized community in the middle of Nebraska. Not a lot interesting goes on out here in the boonies, although we try to think of our little town as a very modern community. I changed jobs in the last year and am now a full fledged factory grunt. But the benefits and paycheck make it almost worth it. I live with my soul-mate Lisa and our 4 children, ages 17 all the way down to 3. I also have a granddaughter of 9 months who is in the house with us and is an interesting and unexpected addition to the family. We also share the house with Brutus, a 10 month old black lab. More on him in a later post.

I have played chess off and on since I was around 10 years old when the neighbor kid taught me to play. I always considered myself to be pretty good, but then the internet came along. That's when I realized what a patzer I was! But that was fine with me because chess was more of a distraction and something I didn't take very seriously. Well, about a year and a half ago I went through some life changing experiences (too much dirty laundry to put up on the net) and I found a need to get my mind going in a more constructive direction. I dabbled in guitar lessons and found some success, but due to the size of my family and the size of the house I never really had the quiet time (or ambition) to practice properly. Also its harder than you may think to find people to play with around here. That's when chess crept back into my life. I was able to find a local chess club here in town to get some OTB chess in and started to play more on the FICS. I was getting killed! I felt I had to do something. So I started to do some research on the net and found it to be full of patzers like me who were looking to improve their game.

So that leaves me where I'm at today. Struggling to improve and learn all I can. And balance family, job, house and everything else at the same time. I just ordered some books and Fritz 10, which I will be posting about later after I get them and go through them a bit.

Thanks for checking out my blog and check back often. Something tells me I have a lot to say!

L8R
Raths