Plzen, Czech Republic - Day 3 and 4

Plzen - Day 3

Yesterday was a tough day - Andy tried to wake me before 12 o'clock. I told him I'd meet him downstairs, then went back to sleep. Counts as a win in itself! I was playing against the Greek legend, Epaminondas Korousis. It was an interesting game that went to the end of the time control - The position was about equal, but he made some complications and I messed it up a bit. He won, but it should have been drawn. I'm sure there was more I wanted to add yesterday - But I was so tired I fell asleep as soon I got back to the accommodation (I was that tired I even forgot to clean my teeth!).

Plzen - Day 4 

The past few days haven't really been that exciting, so I'm trying to make something up just now to make this text a bit more fanciful. My game today was against one of the Russian team, Mr. Simkin. It was a really interesting game, we both made mistakes, but I managed to win it overall. So at the end of four rounds I'm on three points, sitting joint second, and Andy is on three and half, making him joint first. Its only a seven round tournament, so three big matches over the next few days! Tune in tomorrow for more exciting blogging...

End of Brno - Start of Plzen

End of Brno

The last few days have been pretty hetic, hence no blog updates. I'll try to pick up where I left off, but to be honest it feels like weeks ago!

Our final days at Brno were fruitful. On the last day, as we were getting on the bus to go to the venue, I noticed two Czech people dressed as elves. They both wore long green cloaks, and had crafted replica swords out of household items. They must have been traveling to some role playing event via public transport. I was giggling behind them the whole way, envious of their courage to ride the local bus dressed like a homosexual Legolas. I won my last game after a tough fight. We had a while to wait for the train, so we hung around for the prize giving ceremony. Turns out I won a grading prize of 500 Kc, which converts to about 18 pounds. And to think my teachers at school said I wouldn't amount to anything...

We travelled to Plzen with Mondus and the Russians. Mondus (Epiminmondus Kourosis) is a Greek FM, and a really cool guy. The Russians consisted of Grandmaster Ivanov, and an older guy who seemed fragile to begin with, but out ran all of us to the train by atleast a good three seconds. Peter C left the team at this point to head back to Luton, so it was onwards and upwards to Plzen.

Start of Plzen

We arrived here about half past ten a night or two ago - Then headed for our accommodation. We got a lift with Anze and Maja (Lovely people that we usually spend evening meals with.) to our accommodation - We drove about fifteen minutes out of the city and into what can only be described as the "Plzen Bronx". I recon not even J Lo would stand a chance it was that shite. We pulled up to our hostel alongside an ambulance and a police car with their sirens flashing. The reception area wasn't that bad to be fair, but once we actually got into the room we both just wanted to die. The place was miserable - It was like the Haunted Shack from Harry Potter mixed with thirteen dying kittens. We somehow managed to stay one night there, woke up early the next day and managed to sort different premises for the following night (Tonight). The first round was tonight and me and Andy both won. We met some of the other players of the tournament after the game, and some are staying at the horrible hostel. I'm not religious, but ill say a wee prayer for them as I lay down in my cozy, clean bed tonight.

Brno, Czech - Day 5

Day 5 - Double games with un-rhymable names.

Today was the double round day so I'm absolutely knackered. Last night was rather exciting - We got back to the drugs den around ten o'clock, and started preparing for today. Five minutes in the electricity went off, causing widespread panic and fear.

We woke this morning and headed for the playing hall still watt-less. I won this mornings game, playing some dodgy line that made for an interesting game. After my game an old Czech man tapped me on the shoulder, so I followed him over to a board where he proceeded to show me a line in the opening I had played. I didn't really understand the point of the whole exercise, but after the final move he smiled at me, laughed a little, then patted me on the back. Peter C lost this morning and Andrew drew.

This afternoon was interesting - I messed my game up big style but managed to hold a draw somehow. Peter C won and Andrew drew. I'm pretty tired and cant really be boogered typing any more. And to top it all off I've got Andrew and Peter C lecturing me that I cant make up and use words after asking them how to spell boogered. Maybe they should booger off.

Brno, Czech - Day 3 and 4

Day 3 - Tummy aches and openings mistakes.

The day started out well - We were all cheery, all three of us battering moves into our laptops trying to find holes in our opponents preparation. My opponent was a Fide Master and has played 134 games this year, so I went into serious mode and found some moves that looked a lot of fun and would lead to an advantage if he didn't play the position correctly. We headed to the playing hall and the battling begun. My game was really interesting, it got really complicated really early, and at one point I remember sitting back chillin' like a villian, thinking my position was totally awesome. Turns out it wasn't, and after a bit of a fight he eventually won. Peter C won and Andrew lost. 

We got back and tried to get some sleep - I was feeling a little bit off, but got to sleep fine. I woke up about half four feeling sick and pooey. I was too tired to go to the toilet and be sick, so I curled up into the fetal position, remembered how good the fetal position feels, then finally got back to sleep a few hours later.

Day 4 - Feeling alot better, but still made a few trips to the Gentsch.

Woke up still feeling a bit off. Tried to work out what the problem was, couldn't, so just tried to wait it out. My opponent was Peter Gentsch, who has zero games in the database, so no preparation was possible, so I just drank plenty water and slept a bit more. Peter C kept offering me Tea with honey in. I rejected the offers, because only bears like honey, and I'm not a bear. The game was interesting, I fought it out for a bit, though it was eventually dead drawn. Peter C drew and Andrew won. Its a double round tomorrow, so we're going to head to bed early after a bit of preparation. I feel 100% healthy again, but I've made a pact with myself to actually wash my hands after going to the toilet, instead of just wiping them on a random's jacket.

Brno, Czech - Day 1 and 2

Day 1 - Moving into the safe house.

Just realised I've not updated this blog in ages, so thought it's about time to post more hedonistic ramblings and flood peoples' timelines.

I'm staying with Andrew Burnett and Peter Constantinou in Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic, in what we assume is some kind of drugs storage / gang safe house (The main lock of the door locks three times, and there's seven other bolt locks on the door!).

We arrived yesterday and sorted dibs on beds, then me and Andy headed to the local Albert supermarket. We bought some bread and cheese, tried to buy some cigarettes, got told we couldn't buy cigarettes from the counter we were at, got some packets of cigarettes thrown at us, then headed back to prepare for the first game.

We got wildly lost trying to find the venue, resulting in a breakdown of group camaraderie. After much tutting and Peters elvish scouting, we eventually phoned a taxi. All three of us won our games, so we returned to the accommodation tired but chuffed.

Day 2 - Braveheart Re-enactment.

We awoke to find the draw for the day posted online - Me and Peter were to clash wood (Steady now) on board three. The shared bedroom was split down the middle, with a serious penalty applied for spying on the other persons preparation. The atmosphere was tense - every so often Peter or Myself would shout over a ridiculous move or series of moves, then pretend to laugh at how improbable it would be to appear on the board, yet secretly gauge the other persons subliminal reaction. 

We grabbed a light lunch then headed to the venue. Andrew was playing against a Welsh guy on board five, with an Irish person doing battle on board four. We jested about a British invasion, the Czech's didn't find it quite so amusing. 

The arbiter declared the games to begin, and the mind war started. Me and Peter have spent a lot of time analysing different opening idea's and strategies, so for the first few moves we both spent extra time trying to trick the other person into something they didn't know. The battle was intense - Knights we're neighing, bishops were bashing, and rooks were... rooking. We were the last game to finish, with a draw being the result. We met up with Andy and the Irish guy at the pub next door, entertained the bar staff with our terrible Czech, then headed back to the safe house.

France, Lille - Day 7 and Epilogue

The only good thing about no more chess is no more beggars.

My final round today - Its been such a long day it feels like I played it two weeks ago, anyway, was against a 1880 Belgium player named Phillipe Ladent. He played passively and I got an advantage from the opening, but I was careless with it and the game equalised. We got into a drawn endgame with maybe some slight chances for me, but he played quite accurately and finally found an aggressive push that secured the draw. 

So I finished on five points out of a potential nine. To put it into context the winner of the tournament got seven and a half, so not a bad shout. Its a pity it started so well, I need to work on my mental stamina. I made a new friend as well, Edward Farrington, He's originally British but he moved to French to live with his girlfriend. We stayed for the prize giving, clapping when everyone else clapped, then parted ways.

Went back to the hotel and collected my stuff, printed boarding pass, put on my blue suede shoes and, boarded a plane. The plane was a Boeing 714, instilling a small amount of fear that I was flying on a model 33 times previous to the ones Easyjet and Ryanair use. The flight was good enough - All the announcements were in French, so I amused myself with the thought that even if they were telling us we're about to crash, or a wings just gone AWOL, everyone would be freaking out but I'd be sitting chilling like a villain, reading my chess book calmly. As we were descending to land all the babies on the plane burst into tears. Their parents gave them water to try and help my ears pop, and as I was really tired and quite thirsty, I had the strange urge to burst into tears myself to try and get some attention / h20.

So now I'm in Corsica, sad that the chess is finished but looking forward to the two days rest and no more beggars. Oh, and the 23 Degree heat's a little enticing too!

France, Lille - Day 6

Sargis Sargissyan. Its a tough one.

Days are merging into one, my vision becoming ever more cloudy as I wonder aimlessly. I shall find the chess god, and subsequently receive his blessing...

Round eight, its always going to be tough having faced difficult opposition in previous rounds. I lost, and I think wear and tear had a bit part to play in it. I felt the concentration going, the line calculation being less calculation more speculation, and just generally run down. Also ran out of cigarettes, and since all the shops are closed twenty four seven here had to make do with getting a rollie from a Frenchman - Even though I cant actually roll and ended up just making a T shape filled with tobacco.

So yea I lost, it was an interesting game though and I'm sure on closer inspection they'll be a lot to learn from it (Its sitting in the bin right now). I'm playing an 1880 Icelandic player tomorrow, so hopefully finish the tournament on a high. Then its on to Corsica to meet up with Fiona, Volvo, Ozzy and Macqueen.

France, Lille - Day 5

Too tired for witty title.

Another double round today, it starts to take its toll. This morning I was playing a 2335 IM. Missed a tactic, thought I was just winning a piece! I blame being tired, but I wasn't even that tired this morning. Got my sandwich from the French sandwich shop, this time ordering a twix as well. There was a dad with a pram in front of me, and when I pointed to the twix the little child jumped out of her seat and said something to me. It was so cute in French, it must have been like "I want one!" or something because people laughed. The afternoons game turned out to be a default, as the boy heard there's a Scottish legend tearing everyone a new one so he didn't turn up.

Too tired to write any more, tomorrow I play a 2250 guy as black. Ill make up more exciting stories then.

France, Lille - Day 4

Missing an Ulvi-ous win

Today I was playing against a 2289 rated player called Ulvi Sadikhov. I prepared a really dodgy line that looked like loads of fun - Unfortunately he played a slightly different move order so we went back to makey uppy territory. Got out the opening ok, had a really interesting middle game - A lot of really sharp tactics, one of which he eventually fell for and allowed me to start pressuring. I obtained an awesome position, pissed about for ten moves making no progress, then allowed him a perpetual to draw. Immediately after he pointed out one rook move just wins. Blah.

Nothing too interesting to add from today. All the shops were shut again because its May 1st, no wonder there's so many bloody beggars - if they stopped having holidays and religious rest-days people might actually make some money! I got a bog standard sandwich on the way home from the playing venue, told some beggars to bolt, and now plan to cry myself to sleep. Its another double round day tomorrow. The morning game is against a 2335.

France, Lille - Day 3

Playing chess with Maxime-um power

Today was a double rounder, meaning I'm totally knackered. Woke up and grabbed some breakfast, then went to do battle with the 2510 GM Maxime Legarde. He'd obviously done his homework and opened with c4, which is an instant win against me. (Or maybe he just got lucky.) The game was interesting I guess, he just played good logical moves and squeezed me. I tried to complicate it but he saw through the trickiness and took the full point. 

For lunch I found a nice little sandwich shop, again with the woman speaking no English. We had a bit of fun trying to work out what was on the sandwiches - Ham is pretty self explanatory, but I had to confirm "Egg" by flapping my arms and doing my best constipated face. She was really cheery and the whole experience and sandwich was pleasing. As I walked out she said "Adieu missour", and I thought it was a lovely way of saying goodbye to someone. (She was probably saying "Don't come back, sir!")

I dodged the decrepit begging scum and made it back to the playing hall for the afternoon's game - Board thirty six against a 1600 Frenchman. He went a little astray early and I managed to get a sizeable advantage quite quickly. I won the game to put me on three points out of a possible four. Tomorrow I play against a 2289 guy as black, should be a bit of fun!

For tea the pizza shop had buy one get one free on medium pizza's. Took a wee while for us both to confirm that it was free, and that the deal wasn't on small pizza's, but we got there. Time for some much needed sleep now. Preparation for tomorrow can wait until the morning.

France, Lille - Day 2

Rekindling my chess Lourve

I was playing against a 2366 International Master today, and I won! Walked home with a big smile on my face and felt awesome. Our game was the last game to finish, and it was probably the best game of chess that 2014 has seen! Just spent twenty minutes trying to get a PGN online viewer to work, It's chucking whites so I'd best leave it and actually try and prepare something for tomorrow.

For tea tonight I got a pizza. I walked into the little take-a-way place and asked if the guy spoke english. He nodded and replied in French, then handed me a menu. I ordered a "Chicken" pizza, and whilst waiting for it, watched the TV that was in the shop. It must have been a comedy that was on - The guy would burst out laughing, then  try and explain the French jokes to me in French. I was so chuffed with the win I just laughed along and made hand gestures like "I understand!". I didn't.

So tomorrow I'm on board five playing against a 2510 Grandmaster. Oh its on!

France, Lille - Day 1

Lille... its not Nice.

I'm in Lille, a wee town in the north east of France. Got here two days ago - And what a two days its been! First off I pride myself on my ability to navigate and book speedily on travelling websites - As tricky as the buggers can be trying to sell you an extra leg room seat for your pet gorilla. So I get to the airport, go through security, up to the gate only to find my boarding pass has speedy boarding on it. The flight attendants amplified voice invites the Priority boarding passengers up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. On all my previous trips I deliberately try and get to the gate early so I can stare out the pretentious idiots who pay an extra tenner to sit on an aeroplane for ten minutes instead of sitting in the airport for ten minutes. I queued with the average people, hoping the attendant wouldn't notice or say anything. She did. I just giggled, muttered something like "Ryan air wins this time." and hastily made for the plane. 

I was really tired getting onto the plane and I remember looking around as I was queueing, and seeing a Crow land on a barbed wire fence. It makes sense now, but at the time I was really concerned for the crow.

The city of Lille is nice enough - I got here on a Sunday, meaning every shop was closed. I walked about twenty minutes in all directions and couldn't find anything! Eventually had to make do with a McDonald's Tea and no toothpaste. (I'm not complaining, I love McDonald's.)

Got a burger and chips for lunch today - The main square is full of open air food places and restaurants. Its also full of really rude beggars, who literally hold you still in the street with one hand and make the 'spare change' gesture with the other hand. Also I quickly learned not to give a cigarette out - Homeless people here seem to have some sort of inbuilt vulture-istic radar that picks up when a generous person is being generous, and they immediately all flock to that person!

I had to get money out to pay the tournament entry fee - The only cash machine I could find had a beggar sitting either side of it. As I put my card in and pressed the button, the guy was rambling non stop and making the money sign. I told him I had no money at all. As my eighty euros came out the machine I made a quick getaway, pitying him slightly by reminding myself he's going to buy booze and drugs with it. Hang on...

Round One

The first round was today and I beat an 1806 French guy. The game was interesting and I think I played quite well. Tomorrow I've got a 2366 IM. 

Slovakia - Stara Lubovna Day 7

Day 7

Last night I got dragged into the VIP boozed madness again. They'd managed to get a uni-cycle from somewhere, so we all had a bit of fun falling off it. We then moved to the billiard table ("This not pool, pool very different") and played a few games of doubles and had a giggle. I might be making this stuff up, dont really remember any of last night.

Today played against a Slovak 1800. It was an interesting game, I got a good position then followed wrong ideas, but managed to get the win in the end. Tomorrow's the final game of the tournament, then fly back at night. I cant wait to have twenty four hours of soberness. I never thought Mikey G from the Ferrie would ever utter such blasphemy.

Just as I'm about to post this, Tomas and his friends walk over and enquire, "Beer? Pivo? Of course yes!".

Slovakia - Stara Lubovna Day 6

Day 6 

Was a really interesting game today. (Notice how I've perked up because I got a decent result?) I prepared more seriously the night before and it definitely paid off - It was a draw, but I was squeezing him the whole game. The final position I only had five minutes left and I couldn't find the crushing move. I've managed to convert half of Slovakia into the Wa Wa Wee Wa faith, I walked past a few kids playing earlier on and one of them made a big tactical move and shouted "Weeetchie Owwwa!". The Slovak people are really lovely - Everyone I've met I've gotten along with. (And been force fed alcohol.) One of the guys was telling me their unemployment rate is twenty five percent, because of "Fucking government". Its a shame that such a nice bunch of people are getting screwed over so bad. 

Slovakia - Stara Lubovna Day 4 and 5

Day 4

Was a pretty uneventful day. Drew with a 1700 player, not too sure what's going on with my chess but it aint good! Tried to have a quiet night but ended up being forced into a few shots with some Slovak's. The night before I was playing blitz chess for a euro a game against a GM. A few drinks were had and it got quite heated (Both the chess and the verbal exchanges). Think it finished 7 - 1 in favour of him, which considering my current form, is a smashing result.

Day 5

A morning round. Didn't get much sleep the night before, played a Marshall gambit as black but couldn't really get into it. Draw with an 1800. Had a few hours sleep then went and got tea. Looked over the game with Eric, then with the computer, don't know why I'm chucking so much.

I know this blog post is about as entertaining as a dead squirrel, but I feel like how William Wallace felt when Robert the Bruce betrayed him - I spend so much time trying to learn this game, to improve and have fun with it, but its pissed off my allegiance and sided with luck (That's even worse than teaming up with the English). 

Got a 2100 player tomorrow as white, need to find some heart, get back on my high horse and put these steel chessticles to use!

Slovakia - Stara Lubovna Day 1, 2 and 3

Day 1 - How much is too much?

Arrived in Stara Lubovna after spending a few days in Krakow, Poland with Richy. Krakow is amazing fun, but since it wasn't technically a chess trip I cant write about it here. (I could, but the filth and debauchery would break my mum's heart and half the subscriber count.) So I got to the hotel in the evening, checked in and went and met Eric Peterson, a friend I made in the Czech Republic and who informed me of this tournaments happening. He sorted me out with access to the VIP area (Yea you heard right.) and we headed for the small room containing the tournament director, the arbiters, a few player's and some of the hotel staff. We played some friendly speed chess and drank the free beer. And the free triple distilled vodka. and the free plum vodka, and the pear vodka, and the radish vodka. A good time was had by all, and by the early hours I was speaking fluent Slovak. (I wasn't really the language is ridiculously hard, I just kept saying "Pivo" over and over again, which means beer.) Around three o'clock people are considering bed, so we walk outside still chatting and being merry. until one of the players of the tournament just falls over. We giggle a bit, gave him a wee shake, but he's properly unconscious. Someone filled a glass with water and tried to rouse him with it, but he was so drunk he threw it all over the guy next to him! In the end someone had to call an ambulance and the guy was taken away in a stretcher! Cracking night!

Day 2 - Chess Rock

I woke for my game the next day feeling a bit off. I managed to win it quite quickly which was nice, allowed me to go back to sleep for a few hours. Then Eric and I headed out to a Bowling restaurant, and we bowled and had some food with Mikhail and Lisa (Her name isn't Lisa, but I cant remember the Slovak Lisa word). Was actually quite good fun, managed to get two strikes! Me and Eric headed back to the hotel, hoping to get a quiet night, only to be told its one of the organisers birthdays, so everyone trooped back to the VIP room and got ridiculously drunk and ate chocolate cake. One of the stronger players of the tournament (Tomas, 2300 Elo) magicked a guitar, and began playing and singing various english classics and some Slovak specialities. He was incredible - It turns out he finished in 7th Place on Slovak's got talent, out of 16,000 people that entered! Another cracking night was had singing songs, drinking everything, and playing terrible blitz chess. 

Day 3 - Burnout

Was playing against Eric today. He's an FM, and he plays good, logical chess, and he's sitting next to me and understands English. The game was interesting - I pursed a silly idea, but managed to hold it together until a few silly moves at the end. I'm going to try and dodge the VIP room tonight. Nah who am I kidding? Pivo!

Budapest Days 7, 8 and 9

Day 7

Was playing against a lovely old Hungarian man called Lajos. I managed to win after playing quite well for a change! Won a pawn in the opening and slowly ground him down. The opening was quite sharp, and when I played a move he sighed and started talking Hungarian. We made eye contact and I had a wee giggle, then he started laughing too and pointing to the move and was obviously saying "I just wanted a nice, quiet game, and you're playing this crazy aggressive stuff!". Was nice to win a game and not have to watch my back for the remainder of the night.

Day 8

Wasn't feeling great yesterday - Being away from home so long definitely takes it toll. The general daily routine is wake up, Prepare for your opponent (About two hours), have breakfast, Play your game (Anywhere between Three and five hours), then have some tea whilst going over your game for the rest of the night. I prepared a daft line, that the computer claims is good, but as you get further into the game it starts to realise its just complete junk. My opponent played well though and managed to beat me.

Day 9

Rest day today - Thank goodness, actually just lazed about playing Bloons TD 5 and Bobber the Robber 2. Went to the playing hall in the evening as the games were finishing, and met up with Nicholas and Simon to grab some food. That's about as exciting as it gets I'm afraid - Tomorrow I play against Zsuzsanna (Susanna) Terbe, and blood will flow! 

Budapest Day 6

A ridiculous win.

I won a game today! Woohoo! I was playing a 2100 Hungarian, who I met yesterday and we agreed we'd start at five today, an hour later than usual. I didn't get much prep done as I wasn't really in the mood, and I thought its more exciting to just play and see what happens. Terrible Idea. He got quite a comfortable position out of the opening and continued to pressure me. I lost a pawn with zero compensation, but he went a bit wrong and I ended up getting a huge attack. He went totally wild after the game - Telling me I was so lucky and mentioning to everyone in the waiting room that he would have beaten me ten games out of ten. I ignored his hissy fit as I know the pains of losing from a clearly better position, and he was saying he's working long hours so I felt a bit bad for him. 

Went with Nicholas and Simon to the kebab place, played over our games and laughed at how terrible my moves were. I kept glancing at the restaurants front window, expecting my opponent to be standing there, teeth barred biting onto a steel blade. Should probably not joke too much about it on-line.

Tomorrow I've got another tough game, but at least I get the white pieces. 

Budapest Day 5

Almost half way, thank heck.

Drew todays game. Was really interesting, she offered a draw in a totally drawn position and played on running my king across the board with Queens and rooks still in play. Made for some serious calculation! I would have lapsed and surely succumbed had Laszlo not given me a bit of raspberry cake whilst in time trouble.

Before the game we got our photograph taken. I tried to time my smoking break so that I would miss it, but I'm sure Laszlo told the guy to wait until I was back. Basically my hairs stupidly long, and was all curly. How female do I sound.

After the game I met another English speaking person. Irish Simon, though he lives in Budapest and doesn't sound Irish at all, so I'm keeping him at arms distance. He seems really nice though, he wants to meet up for pre match banter or after game food and drinks, definitely going to take him up on that offer. He laughed and suggested we should have pre-match drinks when we play each other (Round 10), so maybe he really is Irish.

Another kebab for tea with Nickolas. The kebabs here are mega tasty and only five hundred forint, which is about a pound thirty. We looked over each other's games and had a giggle, then called it a night. Four draws. Not good.

Budapest Day 3 and 4

I've found a friend! Whoopee!

Today and yesterday's games were draws. I've been playing around with opening ideas so not too disappointed, just wish I wasn't complete trash at this game. I've been hanging about with Nicholas, an English man who claims to be Greek. We went for a kebab tonight, Although he was demanding that they arn't actually kebabs, since we're not in Palestine. (I didn't understand it either, just smiled and nodded along.)

Was going to try it on with the receptionist, but turns out she doesn't work on Mondays. Made myself all pretty and nice smelling only to be greeted by a Man at the front desk (A handsome one none the less, and its been a while...) but thought better. Its tough with the ladies, because my hair, beard and general attire make me look homeless, so I tend to rely on my amazing chat (And ridiculously effeminate eyelashes). Problem is no-one speaks English in Hungary, so I end up just making weird hand gestures and shimmying around like a fool, with more chance of getting spare change than a date. 

Budapest Day 2

First Saturday Tournament

Today was the start of the first Saturday tournament. Got to the venue and registered - everyone took their seats, then some Hungarian art student started singing and dancing. The music was really good, but the whole thing was a bit cringe. I got a draw - The position was weird, no doubt I wont analyse it and probably end up in the same mess in about four games time.

Had an hour long shower, just stood revelling at the metallic wall fixing. After the game I went out to get some food, although the selection process was cut short by a group of about 20 hooligans parading down the street, closely followed by about five police cars with their sirens on. Everything is really expensive here compared to Prague. And you cant smoke inside either. The food is good (Had a spicy sausage and mushroom pizza.) but would be better if I wasn't sitting on my own like a twazzik. Found a cracking little bakery for breakfast too - Its like a Hungarian Greggs, only instead of Steak Bake's they have Chicken liver bakes. I laughed at the woman when she told me what was in it - She wasn't joking though. 

Budapest is odd - It seems safe enough, but theirs an air of uncertainty that keeps you on your toes. Like just now I'm pretty sure someone outside is firing a mortar / Howitzer. The zurich chess today was awesome - Nakamura (My hero) lost to Carlsen, although at one point he had a totally winning position. The commentary was interesting because they were talking about the computer aspect and the psychology of the game. The computer found the win - And once it showed you the idea it was obvious, but to find the idea is ridiculously hard in the first place for a human. Going to watch some League of Legends now and goto sleep - The game starts tomorrow at four, so got ages for breakfast / to prepare.

Budapest Day 1

A Buddha pest in Budapest

So trained it to Budapest this morning, took about eighty minutes, had good fun trying to communicate a ticket and then finding the platform. (Try and charade "Does this train come here?" Not easy!) Went to the venue first and its nice enough. Got directions from their wifi and went to find my hotel. The area is dodge as hell ha! Its only two streets down from the main street, But theirs some right shady characters and shops. An obese beggar wouldn't take no for an answer, and just followed me around for ten minutes. My hotel is nice enough - The rooms decent and its got a real shower! A REAL SHOWER YESSSSSS!!!!

First game is tomorrow at 2pm. I bought water (Couldn't find any with my beloved magnesium) and am now just chilling in the hotel room. Went out for a pizza earlier on, looked cool as hell sitting on my own. Apart from the title, this is another shitty post. Ill do something crazy tomorrow or make something up so its more exciting.

Kecskemét Day 3 & 4

Days 3 and 4.

Not too much to report. Still snowing. Still -10. Just dossed about really - Been to the shops a few times and wondered about the village. The Chinese people left today, and as much as it pains me to admit it, I miss them already - hearing them Chinese-ing away and laughing just added to the unique and bizarre atmosphere this place creates. My fears for magnesium combustion were short lived - I realised yesterday that I hadn't been to the toilet since I started drinking the stuff (Two days), but I checked on-line and it claims the stuff cures cancer, insomnia, ham, astrology, pretty much everything.

So today I've just been lazing about, watching the Gibralter chess tournament live, then the Zurich Blitz chess. Tamás popped in for 10 minutes to draw me up a map of how to get to the train station. He tried to teach me how to say "One Ticket to Budapest please", but after ten failing minutes he's just written it alongside the map. I go onto Budapest on Friday.

Bit of a crap blog today. Sorry about that. But look! Some pictures! (I didn't take any of these, but they show-off the amazing architecture of the place. And its ten times more beautiful in the snow too!)

Kecskemét Day 2

Hungry in Hungary.

Tamás woke me this morning about 10am, and after a shit shower we headed to get some food. He told me that the "Food hall" is where all Hungarians eat, so I decided to give it a shot. You pay 750 forint (2 pounds) and you get a huge bowl of soup, a huge bowl of food (There's three options, I had the potatoes and beef one.), unlimited drinking water and unlimited bread. Only downside is the food's a bit naff. It was a nice enough experience sitting with all the Hungarian peeps.

I went to the supermarket today to try and buy cigarettes and water. After asking a few shop assistants ("Up, go up.") I found myself on the roof of the complex - They thought I was asking where I was allowed to smoke. Found four young chappies on the roof who managed to point me in the right direction. When I got downstairs and out the supermarket, they were still up on the roof, gesturing right or left and giving me eight thumbs up when I got to the right door, followed by a big cheer.

I tried to buy two bottles of still mineral water from the supermarket - Turns out they only sell liquid magnesium in Hungary. It looks the exact same, but it tastes wrong, and I'm always cautious about lighting a cigarette after having a drink, as I remember back to fourth year physics when Mr Dunbar showed us how bright magnesium burns and its application in fireworks. 

Got my washing done today and booked accommodation for Budapest. Almost went for a YOLO haircut, but papped it. If I go for it tomorrow I'll write all about it here!

Kecskemét Day 1

Loose ends

I just realised I never finished blogging The London Classic. Feels like a hundred years have passed since then! Guess I'll finish it anyway for sakes of completion. 

It was good.

Where the hell am I?

I feel like I'm starring in the first episode of breaking bad - I was woken up this morning by Tamás, the lovely Hungarian whose sorted me out with £10 a night accommodation. He took me around the town, explaining It's history and showed me the marketplace and that. He claims we're in Kecskemét, south of Budapest, in Hungary.

We travelled here from Marianske Laszne yesterday - a ten hour car trip. The troop comprised of Tamás, Laslo (Organiser of the First Saturday Budapest tournaments), Sultan (Thats his actual name) and me. The journey was as much fun as a long haul car trip can be, the highlights being when we stopped at garages Laslo and Sultan would stop me and tell me to say a Hungarian phrase to Tamás when I went into the petrol station. Each time they would tell me it just means "Hi", or "Welcome", but after the 4th encounter filled with everyone laughing it turns out they were getting me to say all sorts of rude sentences! Hungarian humour at its best.

We got to Kecskemét around ten last night - It was heavily snowing, and with no salt or diggers to clear the road, I thought we would surely perish. I could barely make the road markings out, surrounded by cars skidding about left right and center. I was a little scared - But we were being driven by a man named Sultan, what could possibly go wrong?

So my room is like a cosy, clean closet in an attic. I met the other people staying here - Australian Andrew, seems really down to earth and the only other person in Hungary to speak English, two pretty crazy Chinese guys, and another guy whose name has left me and I cant even give him a funny name because I cant remember where he's from. The shower is completely useless - There's no fixing for the shower head, so you have to look like a twit holding it above you with one hand and try to wash yourself with the other. And its either too hot or too cold. I would kill for a good shower...

I wonder if they have better showers in prison? If the Chinese people are as mad and noisy as they were last night, I'll soon find out.