I intended to skip the US Amateur Team East (USATE) tournament in Parsippany, NJ this year – time, money, practice, ennui.
However, I got invited to play on a team rated 2192 (thank you, Matt!). Can’t turn THAT down!
I don’t recall how many teams were over 2190 last year, but going back to a photo of the 2010 wall chart, 2192 would have seeded us 5th or 6th.
Will look forward to playing a game (or six) in the relative luxury behind the ropes. I may blog less this year and spend more time during the tournament drilling some new opening lines I have been waiting to spring on the unsuspecting.
And now, off to the laboratory…
Good for you! I wish I could go too.
Ah! I kept meaning to email you.
No go? Bummer!
The first installment of the Best of Chess Blogging Carnival is up! The Best Of! Chess Blogging, Part I: Openings
Derek, do you have some posts for Best of! that you’d particularly like to submit or do I get to pick ‘em myself? :)
Hi Robert – I appreciate your offer :) Take anything you like. I have been crazy swamped with work for a long time now and haven’t mustered the energy to post new thoughts or submit old ones.
My favorites are not terribly serious:
http://reassembler.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/10-simple-universal-chess-truths/
http://reassembler.wordpress.com/2007/09/18/pre-nup-for-the-chessplayers-fiancee/
http://reassembler.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/dear-mr-crabby-old-chessplayer-6/
Dear Derek, was hoping to see you and now seems possible at a less pressured moment? Despite being only 40 minutes away, maybe 35, getting in and out is too much wear and tear. I am staying at the Hilton, save energy for primary purpose.
Six games in 2.3 days. Brutal. Last year, and I am not exaggerating, I felt like I had run the Ironman as distant as six days latter. A major being-essence cost.
Shall we sit and have a glass of wine?
Please let me know if you are staying, and if so, if you have inclination and time.
Best, D a . vid Ko r.n 2 0 six, two 8 4- two 7 2 two., ce l . l.
Hey David – Sounds good! Also round 4 is the famous “beer round” – big informal meetup in the lobby bar for $14 Amstel Lights. Good times.
Interesting that I now have a busier social schedule in NJ than I do in Boston. :)