....did not occur on December 31st. I passed on my usual New Year's Eve "cracktion" fix at "Your Last Blunder of ____". That's because I had to make a choice between chess and cycling. After several years hiatus, I've renewed my passion for cycling. Before I started writing this chess blog, I wrote a triathlon/ cycling log. Still Tri-ing After All These Years. A number of things led to my lack of enthusiasm for cycling and doing triathlons. It's a long story that I don't want to bore you with. Chess and Tae Kwon Do filled up a lot of the time I used to devote to cycling and triathlons.
I started cycling again this spring with the idea of simply improving my physical conditioning for Tae Kwon Do and chess. I never thought I would get back to the cycling condition I was in back in 2005, but I have. It's been gratifying to know that six years older I could still ride fast. So with the temperature being the 50s on December 31st, I chose to go riding with my weekend training group.
In my last post I referred to the light at the end of the tunnel. It wasn't a train coming the other direction culminating in one of my infamous train wreck stories. I finally got my rating back over 1800 for the first time since 1996. I had two good tournaments in a row. I went 3-0 in one tournament to go from 1703 to 1774. Three days later I played at the Marshall Chess Club and finally broke my 14 game losing steak at the club. I got an even score and jumped from 1774 to 1810.
It would have been nice to end 2011 with my rating at 1810, unfortunately the following week there was an odd number at my club and I had to put myself into the tournament. It was one of those nights where I did not feel like playing. I was tired, and admittedly I think I wanted to sit on my 1800 rating for awhile. I started out with two horrible games where I got smashed. I thought to myself "Here we go again. Back to playing like an idiot." However in the last round I managed to redeem myself with this entertaining game.
CrRddell-pw.pgn
It wasn't a brilliant game, but it at least stopped the bleeding of rating points. I dropped 19 points to end 2011 at 1791. Not a bad finish considering miserable my record was for most of 2011. I did recoup a few points in my first tournament of 2012. I didn't play any more games before the cut off for the February rating list so my published rating will be 1796. I don't plan to play in any under 1800 sections any time soon. In fact I'm not even playing in an Under 1900 section any time soon.
I'm off to Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon to play in the Liberty Bell Open. Like last year I'm planning to play in the Under 2100 section. I can't make it down in time to play all the rounds of the three day schedule. Instead of subjecting myself to the insanity of playing 4 games at game/35 in the two day schedule on Sunday, I'm taking byes for the first two rounds and then playing five rounds at the more civilized time control of 40/2 SD/1. Even though I've had some good results at the faster time controls, I'm looking forward to having time to really think.
Stay tuned.
5 comments:
"The last but one blunder wins" (Tartakover).
Keep on the good work, hope you'll be thoe one who does not make the last blunder:)
The first installment of the best of chess blogging Carnival is up! The Best Of! Chess Blogging, Part I: Openings
Polly--if you would like to have some of your best posts in the future parts please leave a comment, or I'll just pick 'em myself :)
Polly, hope to see you tomorrow, Sat at USATE?
David Korn West Orange Killer Fish, <1900, 206 two eight four 2 7 two two mob ile.
http://westorangechessclub.blogspot.com/2012/02/ironman-triathlon-woops-meant-to-say.html
Ironman Triathlon... Woops, Meant to Say 42nd World Team Championship
Does this sound familiar? Here is the explanation, but another version about the major Herculean Chess effort to start this Saturday, below that:
'Ironman Triathlon, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
'An Ironman Triathlon is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) consisting of a 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bike and a marathon 26.2-mile (42.2 km) run, raced in that order and without a break. Most Ironman events have a strict time limit of 17 hours to complete the race, where the Ironman race starts at 7:00 AM, the mandatory swim cut off for the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) swim is 2 hours 20 minutes, the bike cut off time is 5:30 PM, and all finishers must complete their marathon by midnight.
'The name Ironman Triathlon refers to both the original Ironman triathlon and the annual Ironman World Championship. Also called Ironman Hawaii, the world championships of the event, held annually in Hawaii since 1978 (with an additional race in 1982), are now preceded by a series of qualifying events. Ironman Triathlon became known for its grueling length, harsh race conditions, and television coverage.'
Does this sound familiar? Here is the explanation, but another version about the major Herculean Chess effort to start this Saturday, below that:
.
'42nd World Team Amateur, From WOCCpedia, the free chess blog:
'42nd World Team Amateur is one of a series of highly concentrated chess matches organized by the regional TD's (WHAT!) consisting of two rated games Saturday, Sunday, then Monday (two hours for the first forty moves, then an hour for the remainder), quick trips to Wendy's or expensive meals at the Hilton, sustained play, mostly without a break. Most USATE's take about twenty-one hours of chess play to complete, and elapses over a 54 hour time period. The mandatory shut off of mobile phones is required of all participants. All contestants must turn in their score-sheets at the completion of each round. Twenty-One hours of chess in 2.3 days can cause very great thirst. Conditions may vary, so you may want to consult your Doctor if Fritz, StockFish, or Rybka are not available. Dry mouth, headaches, trembles, heavy breathing at control, and excessive consternation have been known to occur.
'The name USATE refers to the original name, US Amateur World Team. Also called World Team Amateur held annually in Parisippany since I don't know when, but also consists of parallel series of qualifying events North, West, and South. USATE became known for its grueling length, harsh lavatory conditions, and coverage by the Newark Star Ledger, and overpriced Amstel Lite in the Bar.'
Polly, when are you going to come and play with us in Alaska! :)
Part II of the Best of Chess Blogging
is now posted.
The Best of Chess Blogging Part III: What a Wonderful World has been posted.
Have a look and please post a link!
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