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.

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 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.

London Classic Day 1

It was all goin' fine, till ma bishop got Hembden.

Didn't feel so good this morning - mixture of nerves, lack of sleep, insert another excuse here. Was playing against GM Mark Hebden. I think I played ok - no ridiculously stupid errors, he just ground me down slowly and pressured each mistake more and more. 

The venue is totally awesome - All participants get an ID badge which entitles you to three free beers and a trip backstage to meet the bands. (That's made up - there's no alcohol or music, but you feel like a total legend walking about with an ID badge around your neck.)

Headed back to the hostel immediately after the game, had some food, and am now just lounging about trying to wind up Malaysian Jvnyi. ("That's a really cool name, but could I just call you Craig? Or Scott?" "Hmmm... No.")

Finnish Jason was talking in his sleep last night in Finnish. Or it could have been Irish Niall. Either way I thought it was kinda cool.

Tomorrow I've got an 1850 Isreali, hopefully ill play better and write a funny / more upbeat post tomorrow.

Competition Day 3

Lost. That is all.

Only kidding, was pritty gutted after it but the Germans have managed to cheer me up. German Male (nameless for legal reasons) told me he bought 3rd teeth toothpaste - And apart from burning his mouth when using it, gave him a cracking smile.

No pictures today, ill take some tomorrow.