tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post8092344934044327734..comments2024-01-29T14:44:29.902-05:00Comments on Castling Queen Side: Jerry Hanken (1934-2009) RIPPollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-4343853762858045002009-10-07T14:03:54.753-04:002009-10-07T14:03:54.753-04:00Linux: Yes he was a big English player, which I ha...Linux: Yes he was a big English player, which I had either forgotten about or wasn't aware of when I played him. It's kind of funny that I got such a good position playing the English against him. Though I often find it harder playing against my openings.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-12889918818416668582009-10-07T00:35:00.756-04:002009-10-07T00:35:00.756-04:00He shall not be forgotten by the americain chess p...He shall not be forgotten by the americain chess players.From the patzerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04499383398575774704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-26726769420930146842009-10-04T09:33:57.395-04:002009-10-04T09:33:57.395-04:00The other guy asked my rating when I interjected, ...The other guy asked my rating when I interjected, so when I replied that it was provisional and 1300ish, it must have added to the sense that I was a gadfly (not that it would matter to me, if I were them, but I get your point that some people can be like that). Doesn't matter now, I forgive him for it.<br /><br />That would be neat to play Fischer in heaven. I guess I'd play against his Najdorf Sicilian, if I were White, and perhaps a KIA against my French, if I were Black (just played one yesterday).<br /><br />I think Jerry's opening was 1.c4. He seemed to like a strategic game, not rushing into things tactically. He was at least an Expert or a Master even way back then.LinuxGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15764940044950170053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-944968091531410652009-10-04T06:54:14.947-04:002009-10-04T06:54:14.947-04:00Great story very fitting.Great story very fitting.chessxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07963749506692799296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-3678904027529974992009-10-03T19:07:58.365-04:002009-10-03T19:07:58.365-04:00Chessx: It's funny that you mention that. On ...Chessx: It's funny that you mention that. On a post I wrote in the USCF forums, I ended it with the following:<br /><br />RIP my friend, and get the organization going to get the first Annual Heaven Open rolling. I'm in no hurry to enter.<br /><br />Here's a modification on the old baseball in heaven story.<br /><br />Two old guys love traveling to tournaments together, and playing any chance they could. One day Jerry passed away, His old buddy is sitting in the park, and Jerry appears to him.<br /><br />His old friend says "Jerry. What's heaven like? Does anybody play chess up there?"<br /><br />"Oh yes, there are casual games going on all the time. Many famous grandmasters hang out, play blitz, and give lessons. In fact we have tournaments every week!! By the way I've got good news, and bad news."<br /><br />"Jerry, what's the good news?"<br /><br />"We have a new tournament starting tomorrow night!"<br /><br />"That's great news. What's the bad news?"<br /><br />"You have Black on board one against Fischer in round 1"Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-41634544112871960022009-10-03T13:47:04.237-04:002009-10-03T13:47:04.237-04:00Proberly sorting a tournament in heaven as we spea...Proberly sorting a tournament in heaven as we speak.<br /><br />Every country has chess people like this they are what makes this a great game,the people.chessxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07963749506692799296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-25740649631873712172009-10-03T11:33:50.845-04:002009-10-03T11:33:50.845-04:00Linux: He could be rather gruff at times, and his ...Linux: He could be rather gruff at times, and his remark was probably was more out of frustration then anything personal. <br /><br />I've seen plenty of players get annoyed when some unknown person asks them why they didn't play a particular move, or throw in unsolicited analysis. <br /><br />My first impression at the delegates meeting wasn't that hot either, but circumstances led to meeting him in calmer settings. He was indeed a complex man who showed his passions in a rather outspoken manner. People either loved his style or thought he was a pompous ass.<br /><br />Probably some people would be insulted that he would spend a tournament game working on a column. He had the decency to ask me if it was okay, and I'm sure if I had said no he would have respected my wishes. But to me that was Jerry being Jerry trying to do too many things at once, so I let him be. <br /><br />For me it would have been a better story if I had found the right moves. It would have been one Jerry's "train wreck" stories, which he would have told with his self-deprecating style that he was so good at. Instead it is another one of my "train wreck" stories told almost 10 years later.<br /><br />Many people have never met the man so his Chess Life articles are their only peek into his chess life. Yes he was an interesting character, who was the life of the "chess party". <br /><br />This piece was simply a bit of my history with him. I'm sorry you didn't get the second chance.Pollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13747958243702670987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-12560937936676172672009-10-03T02:58:57.625-04:002009-10-03T02:58:57.625-04:00The only thing Jerry ever said to me, at my second...The only thing Jerry ever said to me, at my second tournament, in '93, was "Please!" as in please get lost, after I asked him why he didn't make a move during a postmortem between him and his opponent, on a stone table outside. He didn't look at me even though I had been watching for a while. I think the other guy finally answered my question, though.<br /><br />He seemed irritated in general "I could be spending my Sundays watching football instead", don't know if that was in reference to quitting in some tournament director type capacity or whatnot.<br /><br />I'm sure he was a great guy, but sometimes, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. That's about as much as I know about him personally other than his Chess Life articles.<br /><br />Blah, blah, blah, he was a great guy, I couldn't tell you one way or the other, but he seemed like an interesting character, a fun guy to have around a tournament - he cracked a lot of jokes.LinuxGuyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15764940044950170053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5114234807276194338.post-10463625585725284452009-10-03T00:41:44.126-04:002009-10-03T00:41:44.126-04:00I'm sure he would be proud of such a post.I'm sure he would be proud of such a post.CMoBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05705038287957131369noreply@blogger.com