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

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