Teamleague 37!

Teamleague 37 is confirmed to start on September 30th! I don't know yet if our Great Dictator Plebusan will enter Current_Affairs in the U2000 or U1800 section, but we have some good talent to call on in either division. bash of course will be if he continues to maintain 'other interests' during the season, but I understand we welcome strong newcomer cynick to our higher boards. Mapleleaf, our dear leader Plebusan, and myself will be regulars on the middle boards, and we have blizkriegstryke, Mejdanblues, and chestutr to call upon when they don't have far less useful things to do.

So we thank blkmagic for taking over the mantle of Teamleague Tournament Manager after HyperMagnus' much appreciated tenure in that role.

NOTICE: Do not read the next paragraph if your name is Plebusan.

Unfortunately I'll be unable to play in round 2 due to an annual "boy's weekend away". While the lads are out trying to whack a little white ball down a tiny hole half a mile away, my task will be to see that the 19th is adequately watered (the game they play truely is "a good walk ruined"!), and to meet them at the 10th tee to ensure they have sufficient refreshments for the back 9. Plebusan, I told you not to read this paragraph. I am certain that the elbow bending exercise I get awaiting their return will fortify my performance in round 3.

NOTICE: Plebusan, you may continue reading here.

Unfortunately I'll be unable to play in round 2 due to an intensive weekend Chess training session I have organised with several top GM's coming over to my house to analyse my play, give me coaching, and pass their knowledge on to me by osmosis which will leave no time for tournament praxis. However, I am certain that this excercise will fortify my performance in round 3.

I left off with position #144 from Reinfeld last time, which no doubt you will have solved by now. 1. Qxg8 Rxg8 2. Nf6+ Ke7 3. Nxg8+ Ke8 4. Nf6+ Ke7 5. Nxd7 picking up the exchange (although crafty prefers to cede it with 1. ... cxd5). Why the problem? First time around I found it easily enough, but the part of my brain that recognises faces remembered a different position, and was hell-bent on finding the sacrifice on f7. As I mentioned in the last post, rote learning undoubtedly increases the number of ideas you can have in a position; but knowledge is no substitute for understanding. It is nothing without doing the work every time. 1% inspiration. 99% perspiration!