Need a Chess Teacher/Assistant in NYC? also family

I have a former student, 20 years old, rated about 1500, great with kids, totally reliable, always prepared, who will work alone or assist someone in an after school chess club. She's fabulous-- you won't regret it. Rates vary by distance, degree of responsibility, etc., but start at the very reasonable $30/hour. She's available any day except Friday (right now). Email me or leave a comment here and I will contact you. Thanks.

In other news, I'm in England for a long weekend. I always am surprised by how incredibly cold English people keep their houses. bloody freezing. I went this evening to hear my stepmother sing in a choir. Choirs = uplifting.

my dad

my stepmother, Judy

myself, my late grandmother, my youngest brother, Adam

On Wednesday, I'm going to Grade Nationals in Florida, hoping for glory. more soon....

Writing Assignment

I am responsible for decorating one of the bulletin boards on the 3rd floor from December to March. I'm going to make the kids write about their upcoming trip to Grade Nationals and Disneyworld. (obviously, they'll write about it afterwards) The exact assignment is going to be to tell me one awesome story in 2.5-3 pages.

And I'm going to invent a set of symbols to use as grades. Like there will be a symbol of two stick figures holding hands that will mean "awesome characters." Or a pair of glasses means "You should have read over this for editing mistakes before you handed it in." A mouth and an exclamation point means "great dialogue!" A smiley face with laugh coming out of it means "Your story is hilarious!" There will be a key on the bulletin board, and of course a more specific description of what I think in my comments on each paper.

I like the idea of grades that offer feedback but are nonsensical.

"What'd you get on your paper?"
"I got a pair of glasses, a bullseye, and two fish."

Australian guy tries to pay bill with drawing of spider

From: Jane Gilles
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.19pm
To: David Thorne
Subject: Overdue account

Dear David,

Our records indicate that your account is overdue by the amount of $233.95. If you have already made this payment please contact us within the next 7 days to confirm payment has been applied to your account and is no longer outstanding.

Yours sincerely,
Jane Gilles


From: David Thorne
Date: Wednesday 8 Oct 2008 12.37pm
To: Jane Gilles
Subject: Re: Overdue account

Dear Jane,
I do not have any money so am sending you this drawing I did of a spider instead. I value the drawing at $233.95 so trust that this settles the matter.

Regards,
David.

the saga continues here

The 250th Post!

This is my 250th post! Hurray!

Recently, people have been accusing me of causing other people to play worse, just by talking to them. Of course, I know it would be awesome to have this power. Especially if I just had to say hi to someone or chat a little bit and they would lose for sure the next day. You know what I would do? I would become a double-agent second. Think about how hilarious the Karpov-Kasparov-(Korchnoi??)-conspiracy-theory-yogurt-messages-guru-in-row-six stories were. Now add into the movie version an American female chess fan who can make people lose just by talking to them. oh my goodness. it's my dream.

I have a favor to ask you guys. Up until this year, my school has always paid the whole cost for the kids to go to Nationals. This year, because of some really brutal budget cuts and because we are taking the kids to Disney World for three days (!!), the school has had to ask each family to contribute $200 towards their child's costs. One of my eighth grade boys told me today that his mother didn't have the money for him to go.

I was hoping someone might feel moved to pay for "Jorge." I want to tell you about him or show you a photo, so you'll understand what a great kid he is, but I feel a little uncomfortable sharing personal details about him publicly. So instead let me describe what your $200 (or part thereof) would do. It would combine with the larger amount, with which the school would, in effect, triple-match your donation. This will get "Jorge" the absolute greatest week of his life. He'll be away from his parents and be with all 30 of his best friends nonstop for a week. He will get to fly on an airplane and miss school. He will get to play in a National Championship and will get to go to Disneyworld for 3 days. He will probably stay up really late on the last night and play some hilarious stupid practical jokes on the kids in the next room. He will have a really wonderful time and memories that he thinks back on for a long time.
If anyone feels moved to donate, you can email me at evicary@yahoo.com. Thanks.

National Chess Congress 2008: Things Are Fine at First

Eric at a training session with Kasparov in 2005.

Vicary,Elizabeth - Liao,Eric [B40]
National Chess Congress 2008 (1), 28.11.2008

1.e4 c5

2.Nf3 e6

3.b3 So I play 3. Bb5 against 2... d6 and 2... Nc6, but obviously I can't do this after 2... e6. And while I don't know anything special about 3. b3, black never does either, and by now I've played it enough times that I think I'm getting a sense of the pawn structure.

3...Nc6 This is of course fine, but it allows me to get into what I know. Some black players try to avoid transposing back to Bb5 lines with 3...b6.

4.Bb2 d5 Probably it's not a bad move, but maybe it's unnecessarily early. In positions where white has already doubled black's c pawns with Bxc6, it can be risky to play d5 too soon because by fixing the pawn structure, black makes him pawns more obvious targets.

5.Bb5 I can take first, but I didn't see any reason to. Black isn't threatening to play d4 or take on e4: in the first case I take on c6 and put the b1 knight on c4; in the second I play Ne5 and his pawn structure is too much. I could also probably take on d5 and play d4.

5...a6

6.Bxc6+ bxc6

7.d3

7...Nf6

Black needs to immediately play ... f6 and ...e5 to shut out my Bb2. This kind of position is why I love the Bb5 Sicilian-- no kid will ever figure out the slightly weird positional ideas they need to find over the board.

8.Nbd2 Be7

9.0–0 0–0

10.Ne5 Black just doesn't really have a plan here.

10...Qc7

11.f4 Bd6

12.Rf3 I feel like I'm playing very childishly.

12...Rd8 Black should have played 12...Nh5, which is very annoying and forces 13.g3

13.Qe1 Bb7

14.Qh4 Be7

15.Rh3 h6

16.Qg3 Even better: 16.Ng4 Nxg4 (16...Qxf4 17.Nxf6+) 17.Qxg4 d4 18.Rxh6 Bf8 19.e5

16...Kf8

17.f5

Bd6 A better try for black is 17...Qa5 but then I can play 18.Nxf7: 18...Kxf7 19.Qg6+ Kf8 20.fxe6 Kg8 21.Rxh6 Rf8 22.Bxf6 Rxf6 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qh8#

18.fxe6 fxe6

19.Ng6+ Ke8

20.e5 Be7

21.exf6 Qxg3

22.Rxg3 Bxf6

23.Be5 d4

24.Ne4 Bxe5

25.Nxe5 g5

26.Rf3 Rac8

27.Raf1 1–0

Immediately after this game I began to feel sick, so I took a bye in the evening round and slept and read the first half of Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell, who write the brilliant Blink and The Tipping Point. This one is equally great. I'm going to go finish it now.

Perudo, a Jenn look-alike, Greg's new house, American Airlines, a beautiful photo

First and most importantly, I have defeated Greg Shahade in a game for the first or possibly second time in 13 years, depending on whether you count winning 1 out of 3 games of blindfold chess (him not me) as victory. On Thursday, I beat him at my first ever attempt at Perudo, a game of dice, bidding, and bluffing, and the absolute undisputed greatest game in the world. I was down 5-1, and successfully out bid/out bluffed Greg Shahade five times in a row.

five, Greg.

She was standing on the street in Chinatown, waiting for the same Chinese bus to Philly that I was. At first I thought she was Jenn, same sunglasses, but she wasn't.

Greg and Susan just bought a house! Hurray for them! Here are some pictures, but understand that the furniture belongs to the guy living there now and is not in concordance with the captions.

front room

kitchen (1st floor)

second floor living room/guest room

Greg's study (2nd floor)

master bedroom (3rd floor)

Susan's study (3rd floor)

basement

I played in the National Chess Congress and got 2.5/5 (1 bye). I was paired down most rounds, so I lost some points. Oh well. I am not an emotional slave to my rating. Games will be posted soon.

Here's two funny things for you:

American Airlines Now Charging Fees To Non-Passengers

FORT WORTH, TX—Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier.

American Airlines has promised never to raise its fees for not printing a boarding pass.
The fees, the latest introduced by American Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday. According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays instead . . .

silly photo of Alex

do you like ridiculous conspiracy theories and economic history? also Modernist poets?

Then you may be interested in this report, commissioned by poet Ezra Pound (?!) who was prevented from going to the Library of Congress because he was being held as a political prisoner in a mental hospital in D.C.(?!) It's about how some tycoons dreamed up the Federal Reserve System in some secret meetings on Jekyll's Island, Georgia in 1910. And how it's all one big scam, and they suck the wealth out of our hands.

Interview with IM Davorin Kuljasevic of the Dallas Destiny

EV: You've played a lot of great games in the USCL. Of this year's, which was your favorite?

DK: It must be the win against Becerra, cause he's obviously league’s MVP.

EV: Can you tell us a little about what you were thinking during the game?

DK: Well, I didn't have time to prepare for the game, because I just came back from Miami tournament, so I chose a peaceful line as white. Basically we had an isolated pawn middlegame where black should have enough play, but he traded too many pieces, in my opinion. And after that I achieved a kind of position which I really like, where he doesn't have much counterplay, and in such positions it's not so easy for him to defend. So I increased the advantage until I made the final blow Rxc4, and the rest was technique.

EV: I was looking at your games briefly before the interview, and the thing I noticed is that they are all long and have many distinct stages. Have you noticed this also?

DK: That's true. I rarely ever play games shorter than 30 moves, because I'm more of a technical player, playing for a progressively increasing advantage. My approach to chess is systematic and people often condemn me for that. I play the same way against 1500 and 2600.

EV: Really it’s because you are a technician? You don't think it's because you love chess very much and like to have games that have many different characters? A sort of quest for the epic?

DK: Yeah, more artistic, than functional, so I guess you're right in that sense. I guess chess reflects one's personality very well. I don't know if what I said made any sense.

EV: I understand what you are saying, that you are idealistic rather than pragmatic
in terms of playing the board and not the opponent, but it seems unusual to call yourself both artistic and technical?

DK: yes :) I took a personality type test in college, and it reflected these qualities, both artistic and technical, which is not such a common combination. Usually people are either / or. Guys are usually pragmatic; women more emotional.

EV: Do you do anything else creative besides chess?

DK: hm…. I play a lot of sports, which I think is creative in its own way.

EV: How? In a problem solving kind of way?

DK: First, if you play a variety of sports, then you can transfer skills from one sport to another, which is creativity in my opinion. And also because you have to come up with some unexpected moves to surprise your opponent, just like in chess.

EV: What sport that you play is most like chess?

DK: I'd say ping-pong

EV: Are you very good at sports?

DK: I'm very good only at soccer, but like to play all other sports: basketball, swimming, volleyball, you name it.

EV: In last year's interview, you described studying a lot of chess and taking business classes. Has either of those things changed?

DK: I'll be devoting much more time to finance than chess in the following months, cause I'm trying to land a job in the summer, so I have to focus on studying finance. I'll also be graduating in the summer.

EV: Does the financial crisis affect your plans then?

DK: Of course, unfortunately, but I hope I'll get a job. I'm in top 5% of my class, so I guess they'll appreciate that.

EV: What are the expectations like amongst graduating students?

DK: A lot of them already have jobs, surprisingly. But those who don't, they're just as inexperienced as me, so they don't know what to expect.

EV: Ok, back to chess! You seem to be one of the few people who regularly beats Vinay Bhat in the USCL. I think you are +2 =1 -0 against him in the USCL, plus you defeated him in the Miami Open. What's your secret?

DK: hahaha, I don't know, he's a tough player, but his serious problem is he's spending too much time that's not necessary at all. Even though he's good in time trouble, he's not playing his best in that phase, so that's where he makes greatest mistakes. Last year he played really well and achieved equality, but then he let himself into time pressure and made several mistakes. Same thing this year. The only clean game was in Miami; I just outplayed him there.

EV: What move did he think over that he really didn’t need to?

DK: I don't remember exactly, but it accumulates you know… every move you spend a few minutes too many and you’re in time trouble before you know it.

EV: Oh, I know. So if we assume Dallas plays its lineup from the semi-finals and Boston plays Christiansen-Sammour-Hasbun-Essserman-Krasik , how do you see the board by board match ups? Are there any must wins, for example?

DK: I only believe that Bayaraa is a clear favorite against Krasik. She plays really well, not just USCL. She's a level above Krasik, for sure. Other games are open.

EV: You weren't impressed with his defeat of Craig Jones?

DK: I'm impressed by Krasik's performance this year. Who wouldn't be? But I think Bayaraa is still a better player and that should show in the finals.

EV: Do you feel any special motivation against Sammour-Hasbun? Any expectations you can share with fans?

DK: Wait, is Craig Jones the guy from Carolina?

EV: yes

DK: Oh, that was a horrible game… but back to your question…. yeah, you know I'm really puzzled by this guy, Sammour.

EV: Why?

DK: He's a sort of enigma-- doesn't play chess for years then wins Dos Hermanas twice. And he has a very unpleasant style. He's a very challenging opponent.

EV: How would you describe his style?

DK: Active, he likes to play actively, but he's good at all other stages. I'm sure he'd be a GM in no time if he played in tournaments.

EV: Why do you use the word puzzled?

DK: He's unusual player. I have to admit that I didn't know what to expect when I was playing him last year. But we've played 2 games so far, so now I understand him better. That experience should help, should Boston put him on board 2

EV: That was a pretty amazing game you lost last year in the finals.

DK: Yeah, I lost the thread after I sacrificed a piece, and he rebounded. He knew how to take his chance.

EV: I noticed you had a particularly high score with white (+4 =1 -0). Is that why Dallas chose white on two and four?

DK: Because of Bayaara and me. Marko wasn't happy with that, because he had to play a ridiculous amount of games with black this year. But Marko is very confident.

EV: Why?

DK: If you see how fast he makes his moves, it's actually hilarious. He thinks for 15 seconds, which is quite bold if you're playing GMs on board 1. But he might have to spend some more time against Larry :)

EV: Is anyone on the team graduating this year? Are there any new players you are hoping or planning to get for next year?

DK: I don't know about any new players. This year we got a talented player from New Zealand. I project him to be a very good player

EV: What’s his name and how strong is he now?

DK: Puchen Wang, 2450. And yes, most people are graduating very soon: Drasko, John, Alejandro in the spring, me in the summer. Marko is doing his masters; Andrei's done; Magesh is also done. But no worry, we can still play USCL. We still have Jacek Stopa, Bercys, Wang, Zivanic, Zorigt, and Igor.

EV: You mentioned a tournament at UTD starting this week. What is it and who is playing?

DK: It's a traditional invitational tournament held every year. There will be 3 GMs: Becerra, Kudrin and Ramirez, and 7 IMs from UTD. I believe it's category 9

EV: Is there anything you would change about the USCL?

DK: More money! Make it a professional league, if possible. I know Greg is doing a great job with sponsors, but it would be great if teams could get funding of their own, like in Europe. And then have one playing venue, once a year. But that's European model.

EV: Ah, but why? Why get everyone together? Who cares? Spectators prefer ICC, and its so much easier.

DK: Yeah, you're right about that, but games can still be viewed online, even if they're played live.

EV: Clocks might not be accurate.

DK: That's a weak excuse.

EV: true.

DK: Most European leagues are set up that way, even Croatian.

EV: I saw you played in the Croatian league over the summer.

DK: Yeah..it wasn't very good. I missed my final norm in one move. I was completely winning and just blew it away and even lost in the end. So that was quite a punch in the face.

EV: Would you trade winning that game for actually taking a serious punch in the face?

DK: lol, yes! Absolutely

EV: Even if it broke your nose?

DK: I can grow a new one

EV: Nice. Last question. I would like you to tell me a story. It can be about anything.

DK: A funny one? I have one from my freshman year. It involves a banana peel.
I was hurrying to catch my class, history, and I was eating a banana. So when I came to the classroom, it was just about 7 pm, when my class was starting. But I couldn't figure out where to throw banana peel cause there was no trash around. So, I see women’s restroom, and I don't think, I just go in there and throw a banana in trash. No one was in there: so far so good. So as I exit the restroom, my history teacher comes down the hall, and he takes notice of me exiting the women's restroom and we stare at each other for a few seconds.

He was a pretty humorous guy, so he started teasing me about it big time. And of course he introduced me to the class as the banana boy. It was probably the biggest public embarrassment for me, but I thought the situation was pretty funny.

EV: That’s a very beautiful story. Thank you for your time.

Aravind Adiga is one of the 17 sexiest men alive!

"The literary world isn't exactly bursting with eye candy -- writers usually win us over with well-chosen words rather than hotness. But Adiga, now 34, scores both ways, an appealing mix of erudite and debonair, with his closely shorn hair and dark, dreamy eyes."

from Salon magazine. Aravind is an old friend of mine from college, and he won the Booker Prize for his first novel The White Tiger. It's really hilarious, although he claims it's not intended to be funny at all.

In other news, this is my classroom:

interview with me at BCC

There is an interview of me by Jason Rihel at the Boylston blog.