Sunday, September 22, 2019
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Summer Break
My Lenovo laptop crashed.
Today I walked to Best Buy on Michigan Ave and purchased a Lenovo for $200.
Because I lost a few days of writing I will end the daily summer entries.
Today I walked to Best Buy on Michigan Ave and purchased a Lenovo for $200.
Because I lost a few days of writing I will end the daily summer entries.
Sunday, July 7, 2019
Monk Life - Day 22
I ran two miles today under a white sky. Did not do much for the rest of the day.
Began reading The Winter of Our Discontent, Steinbeck's final novel.
Began reading The Winter of Our Discontent, Steinbeck's final novel.
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Monk Life - Day 21
I played the CCC #41 Plus Score today.
I took a bye in rd 2 and skipped the final round due to fatigue.
Drew a 1660 player in rd 1 and lost to a 1905 player in rd 3.
In rd 3 I played the King's Gambit from the white side for the first time in a tournament. I surprised myself by holding a slight edge throughout the middle game and even had a chance for a winning game but I missed the move. When my time went under ten minutes I could no longer think long on any one move and this caused the usual problems of miscalculation and I blundered away a good game.
Even though I have not played competitively in four months I feel my chess studies are allowing me to improve and gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating and complex game.
CCC #41, July 6, 2019, Round 3.
J/A. Jarath -
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 exf4 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Qe2+ Qe7 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7 7.d4 O-O-O 8.
Bxf4 Qb4+ 9.c3 Qa5 10.Nf3 Ngf6 11.O-O Qxd5 12.Nbd2 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Qc4
Rhf8 15.Rae1 Nb6 16.Qb5 Nfd5 17.Ne5 a6 18.Qd3 f6 19.Nec4 Nxc4 20.Nxc4 Qc6 21.
Nd2 h6 22.Qf5+ Kb8 23.Re6 Qd7 24.Rfe1 g5 25.g3 Ka7 26.c4? (the losing move, made in time trouble) Nf4 27.gxf4 Qxd4+ 28. Kh1 Qxd2 29.R6e2 Qd6 30.fxg5 hxg5 *
I took a bye in rd 2 and skipped the final round due to fatigue.
Drew a 1660 player in rd 1 and lost to a 1905 player in rd 3.
In rd 3 I played the King's Gambit from the white side for the first time in a tournament. I surprised myself by holding a slight edge throughout the middle game and even had a chance for a winning game but I missed the move. When my time went under ten minutes I could no longer think long on any one move and this caused the usual problems of miscalculation and I blundered away a good game.
Even though I have not played competitively in four months I feel my chess studies are allowing me to improve and gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating and complex game.
CCC #41, July 6, 2019, Round 3.
J/A. Jarath -
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 exf4 4.Bb5+ Bd7 5.Qe2+ Qe7 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7 7.d4 O-O-O 8.
Bxf4 Qb4+ 9.c3 Qa5 10.Nf3 Ngf6 11.O-O Qxd5 12.Nbd2 Bd6 13.Bxd6 Qxd6 14.Qc4
Rhf8 15.Rae1 Nb6 16.Qb5 Nfd5 17.Ne5 a6 18.Qd3 f6 19.Nec4 Nxc4 20.Nxc4 Qc6 21.
Nd2 h6 22.Qf5+ Kb8 23.Re6 Qd7 24.Rfe1 g5 25.g3 Ka7 26.c4? (the losing move, made in time trouble) Nf4 27.gxf4 Qxd4+ 28. Kh1 Qxd2 29.R6e2 Qd6 30.fxg5 hxg5 *
Friday, July 5, 2019
Monk Life - Day 20
I did a lot of walking the past two weeks and this caused my feet to blister and a toe to cramp.
Today I took it easy and walked to the library to study chess. Checked out my favorite chess book, Psychology in Chess by N Krogius, always an inspiration to read prior to a tournament.
Today I took it easy and walked to the library to study chess. Checked out my favorite chess book, Psychology in Chess by N Krogius, always an inspiration to read prior to a tournament.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
Monk Life -Day 19
Returned home and walked to a Nepalese restaurant with a friend, then we walked the lakefront trail and watched the fireworks at Navy Pier.
Studied Aagaard. Will go to the library tomorrow to pick up chess books I put on hold.
Studied Aagaard. Will go to the library tomorrow to pick up chess books I put on hold.
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Monk Life - Day 18
Visiting my parents today, will stay until tomorrow. Reading Aagaard's Attacking Manual I.
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Monday, July 1, 2019
Monk Life - Day 16
No running to allow the toe cramp and blisters to heal, but managed to walk twelve miles and decided to register for my first chess tournament since the Vietnam Saigon FIDE International, the Chicago Chess Center Plus Score #40, open section, Saturday, July 6, g65 d5, 4 rounds.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Monk Life - Day 15
My left foot has two blisters and the right foot has a toe cramp so I took the day off from running. I walked six morning miles and in the afternoon walked to the library to study chess.
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Monk Life - Day 14
The sky is alternating between white and blue today with the summer season beginning to warm.
I ran five miles then walked to the chess pavilion and played ten games, with a score of seven wins, one draw, and two losses against three old men.
Half way through The Razor's Edge, just as good on the second reading as the first.
I ran five miles then walked to the chess pavilion and played ten games, with a score of seven wins, one draw, and two losses against three old men.
Half way through The Razor's Edge, just as good on the second reading as the first.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Monk Life - Day 13
Did a double walk, seven miles in the morning followed by six miles in the afternoon. Stopped at the chess pavilion and played an old eastern European guy, winning five games and losing one, the same score as yesterday.
The sky was white today.
The sky was white today.
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Monk Life - Day 12
Warm today, ran five miles in the morning which is the furthest I have run since returning to the states in mid-March. I felt energetic because of the warmth and although the sky was white I managed to feel decent enough to walk six miles after lunch. I stopped at the chess pavilion and played a couple of old Ukrainian men, winning five games and losing one. My study of Rubinstein's games has given me a confidence boost.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Monk Life - Day 11
The days are becoming warm but the sky remains white. Because today is the first warm day of 2019 I did a double walk, total thirteen miles.
Read more of The Razor's Edge.
Read more of The Razor's Edge.
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Monk Life - Day 10
Blue sky for much of the day, then gray clouds and rain in the afternoon. When the sky is clear the sunlight is intense.
Read the first part of The Razor's Edge by Maugham.
Read the first part of The Razor's Edge by Maugham.
Monday, June 24, 2019
Monk Life - Day 9
I walked outside at 6:30am, a few minutes later I returned home due to a gray sky and threat of rain.
I slept for three hours then walked seven miles under a white sky.
During the walk I found myself losing confidence in my individual future due to not knowing how to proceed and what kind of decisions to make regarding how to survive. I focused on my breathing and the present moment and decided to let the future fall where it may.
I slept for three hours then walked seven miles under a white sky.
During the walk I found myself losing confidence in my individual future due to not knowing how to proceed and what kind of decisions to make regarding how to survive. I focused on my breathing and the present moment and decided to let the future fall where it may.
Artifact, 1986
Artifact, 1998
Artifact, 1993
Artifact, 1992
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Monk Life - Day 8
I ran a quick 2 1/2 miles under a white sky and when I returned home I planned to read a book at the riverwalk but the sky became dark and it rained.
As my body approaches its end point I realize I need to focus on how I want to proceed during my final span of days. When I take a summary view of things I imagine the following :
I have lived my life with death present in the side mirror of consciousness, and because I have been moving along the path for more than fifty years I remind myself that although I have remained ahead of death, one day soon it will slide into my blind spot.
I have survived by working random jobs, which requires a rather large measure of luck. The store of luck diminishes with age and the ability to exchange time for money will also diminish.
Instead of being inspired to search for wage work I have instead been considering the choices which are available to me. Working a wage job for many years has dulled my perception to the reality that at any moment I have an infinite amount of choices available, yet because of the nature of working in the same space at the same time, the things I choose to be aware of are narrow and I choose similar things day after day. If my life's days were a continuum of chess games, I have chosen to play the same opening thousands of times. I imagine changing my life's opening moves, but I do not know what to choose.
Time is short, I should not fear doing something out of the ordinary.
As my body approaches its end point I realize I need to focus on how I want to proceed during my final span of days. When I take a summary view of things I imagine the following :
I have lived my life with death present in the side mirror of consciousness, and because I have been moving along the path for more than fifty years I remind myself that although I have remained ahead of death, one day soon it will slide into my blind spot.
I have survived by working random jobs, which requires a rather large measure of luck. The store of luck diminishes with age and the ability to exchange time for money will also diminish.
Instead of being inspired to search for wage work I have instead been considering the choices which are available to me. Working a wage job for many years has dulled my perception to the reality that at any moment I have an infinite amount of choices available, yet because of the nature of working in the same space at the same time, the things I choose to be aware of are narrow and I choose similar things day after day. If my life's days were a continuum of chess games, I have chosen to play the same opening thousands of times. I imagine changing my life's opening moves, but I do not know what to choose.
Time is short, I should not fear doing something out of the ordinary.
Artifact, 1991
Artifact, 2004
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Monk Life - Day 7
A white sky with the temperature in the 70's, the warmest it has been in weeks. I had a nice walk in the morning and decided not to do chess study. Maybe I will diminish the amount of time I am spending on the chess sessions due to no longer playing tournament chess. I enjoy the meditative aspect of the study sessions and when I play through a master chess game I sense I am observing an unusual meditation taking place on a 64 square board.
In the afternoon I walked to a nearby park and sat on a bench and read Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. In the evening I walked to Millennium Park and listened to a classical music concert while reading more of the book.
Because I won't be able to keep the many boxes of photographs which I recently received from my ex-wife Rachel, I have decided to photograph some of the stronger prints.
In the afternoon I walked to a nearby park and sat on a bench and read Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. In the evening I walked to Millennium Park and listened to a classical music concert while reading more of the book.
Because I won't be able to keep the many boxes of photographs which I recently received from my ex-wife Rachel, I have decided to photograph some of the stronger prints.
Artifact, 1997
Friday, June 21, 2019
Monk Life - Day 6
Woke this morning earlier than usual, which over the past few weeks has been late due to little sun and cold temperatures. As I lay in bed my consciousness sensed a blue sky and a bright sun and I was outdoors by 7:15am. Even though I am gaining weight due to the winter-like climate, I was able to run four miles, three at a faster than normal pace. My energy and an uncalled for joy carried me effortlessly along the lakefront trail. When I returned home the sky had resumed its whiteness and the sun was gone.
My energy dropped and I imagined that my life has been good because of a warm sun and a blue sky. My best memories revolve around this point, the beauty of the environment. I recall a film scene where a young man asks an old man who is homeless and bound to a wheelchair, "why do you go on, how do you not desire to die?" The old man looks at the handsome youth and smiles with a look of gratitude and says "look up, I see the sun shining, I go on living because of that."
Now at the library studying chess.
My energy dropped and I imagined that my life has been good because of a warm sun and a blue sky. My best memories revolve around this point, the beauty of the environment. I recall a film scene where a young man asks an old man who is homeless and bound to a wheelchair, "why do you go on, how do you not desire to die?" The old man looks at the handsome youth and smiles with a look of gratitude and says "look up, I see the sun shining, I go on living because of that."
Now at the library studying chess.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Monk Life - Day 5
The first day of summer, longest day of the year. The sky was white the full day, with rain, cold, and a strong wind. I stayed indoors and did not leave the condo.
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Monk Life - Day 4
I ran 2.5 miles under a milky white sky, sun pale and weak. The temperature was in the 50's but felt like 40.
Walked to the library after the run and in the evening I watched a Mozart concert at Millennium Park in a cold rain, the dusky sky glowing with a wet whiteness.
I no longer recognize the season, as if I have traveled to a foreign place, perhaps another planet.
Walked to the library after the run and in the evening I watched a Mozart concert at Millennium Park in a cold rain, the dusky sky glowing with a wet whiteness.
I no longer recognize the season, as if I have traveled to a foreign place, perhaps another planet.
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Monk Life - Day 3
Sky pure white, cold. Walked to the track and did muscle exercises, then walked to the library for chess study.
When I left the library at 1:30pm I saw a blue sky, first time in days.
I slept for three hours when I got home.
Later I read, then fell asleep.
When I left the library at 1:30pm I saw a blue sky, first time in days.
I slept for three hours when I got home.
Later I read, then fell asleep.
Monday, June 17, 2019
Monk Life - Day 2
The days have been cold, the sky white, I have not seen the sun in days.
Due to lack of warmth my energy has been flagging. I tried running yesterday but failed. Today I wore winter clothing and willed myself to run 2 1/2 miles.
Too tired to walk to the library so I slept for three hours in the afternoon.
Walked in the evening to the library without the chess set, I wanted to wander through the shelves and checked out four books, two by Maugham and two by Jules Renard.
Meditated a short time after my long nap, it is easier to do when I don't have a schedule. Incense arrived today, it will perhaps motivate me to meditate for longer periods of time.
Due to lack of warmth my energy has been flagging. I tried running yesterday but failed. Today I wore winter clothing and willed myself to run 2 1/2 miles.
Too tired to walk to the library so I slept for three hours in the afternoon.
Walked in the evening to the library without the chess set, I wanted to wander through the shelves and checked out four books, two by Maugham and two by Jules Renard.
Meditated a short time after my long nap, it is easier to do when I don't have a schedule. Incense arrived today, it will perhaps motivate me to meditate for longer periods of time.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Monk Life Re-start - Day 1
After a week of attempting to follow a monk's schedule, I have decided to end it. I am reminded of a schedule I made when I was a student, which lasted only a short while. I realized at the time that a schedule set in stone does not fit with how I like to live my life. So today I give myself the freedom to cancel the schedule and to start fresh. If a schedule of my own making begins to feel burdensome, I should acknowledge my mistake and move on.
The point of the schedule was to put my mind more at ease with the external world. I sense that before the schedule I was living well enough, within and without. Running/walking in the mornings, chess study at the library at some point in the day, and if I feel the need I have plenty of time to meditate.
Perhaps sitting meditation is not as important to me in the present as it was thirty years ago. I did not follow a schedule and my time spent sitting was minimal. What I worked on was focusing upon the breath at all hours of the day, with whatever I was doing. Sitting was a luxury due to my limited time caused by working and going to school full time.
I learned there is no right way to practice meditation, each person must discover what brings harmony and peace, and if the desire is there, to gain more of it.
The point of the schedule was to put my mind more at ease with the external world. I sense that before the schedule I was living well enough, within and without. Running/walking in the mornings, chess study at the library at some point in the day, and if I feel the need I have plenty of time to meditate.
Perhaps sitting meditation is not as important to me in the present as it was thirty years ago. I did not follow a schedule and my time spent sitting was minimal. What I worked on was focusing upon the breath at all hours of the day, with whatever I was doing. Sitting was a luxury due to my limited time caused by working and going to school full time.
I learned there is no right way to practice meditation, each person must discover what brings harmony and peace, and if the desire is there, to gain more of it.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Monk Life - Day 6
I am having trouble adjusting my mind to the monk schedule. I consider the smallest time spent meditating to be a success. I should see this endeavor not as something pleasant and easy, but as an activity which mind rebels against.
No library study today.
The sky was white, gloomy, cold, and I walked in the afternoon rain.
No library study today.
The sky was white, gloomy, cold, and I walked in the afternoon rain.
Friday, June 14, 2019
Monk Life - Day 5
I ran four miles in the morning and then walked to the library for four hours of chess study.
I had an insight during the run, I decided to use the white sky as a proxy meditation bell, bringing me back to the present moment.
I had an insight during the run, I decided to use the white sky as a proxy meditation bell, bringing me back to the present moment.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Monk Life - Day 4
Flat white sky with rain, and cold, so I remained indoors most of the day. Meditated one short session. In the late afternoon the sky was blue and I went for a walk to the zoo.
No library chess session today, but studied one game at home.
No library chess session today, but studied one game at home.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Monk Life - Day 3
Cold and white sky today. It seems odd to always be writing about a white sky.
Last night I was reading a book by the Dalai Lama, "A Call for Revolution," and in it he states the earth is dying and unless there is a human revolution nothing can save it.
Ran 2 1/2 miles in the early morning and then meditated in the late morning, ate lunch, napped, then walked to the library for chess study.
Last night I was reading a book by the Dalai Lama, "A Call for Revolution," and in it he states the earth is dying and unless there is a human revolution nothing can save it.
Ran 2 1/2 miles in the early morning and then meditated in the late morning, ate lunch, napped, then walked to the library for chess study.
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
Monk Life - Day 2
Had a good first day of monk life, walking six miles in the early morning followed by a short meditation session in the mid-morning. I ordered incense sticks which should arrive next week, it will be easier to get into a timed meditation routine when sitting for the length of a burned stick.
After eating lunch and a nap I put in a second meditation session followed by a walk to the library and chess study session. I played Dmitry three games, the first one we started on move 9 from a Spanish closed variation (picking up from a Yates/Rubinstein game, 1922).
I was looking through my collection of old photos and artifacts and found a painting I made -
After eating lunch and a nap I put in a second meditation session followed by a walk to the library and chess study session. I played Dmitry three games, the first one we started on move 9 from a Spanish closed variation (picking up from a Yates/Rubinstein game, 1922).
I was looking through my collection of old photos and artifacts and found a painting I made -
Artifact, 2000
Monday, June 10, 2019
Monk Life - Day 1
Meditation Schedule
6:00am 6:30am - 30 minutes - wake/wash up
6:30am- 9:30am - 3 hours body exercising - running/walking
9:30am-11:30am - meditation practice
11:30am-1:00pm - daily meal
1:00-4:30pm - library chess study
4:30-5:30pm - meditation practice
5:30-7:30pm - light meal, rest
7:30-10:30pm - zen study/reading spiritual books
6:00am 6:30am - 30 minutes - wake/wash up
6:30am- 9:30am - 3 hours body exercising - running/walking
9:30am-11:30am - meditation practice
11:30am-1:00pm - daily meal
1:00-4:30pm - library chess study
4:30-5:30pm - meditation practice
5:30-7:30pm - light meal, rest
7:30-10:30pm - zen study/reading spiritual books
Full Time - Day 44
This will be the final entry for the Full Time series because I have decided to put my remaining free time to a different use. I will begin to follow a meditation schedule of my own making.
A rare spring morning with a somewhat clear blue sky. I ran four miles and on the walk back to the condo I darted up two flights of stairs at the Columbus/Wacker intersection, something I have not done in years.
Both Rubinstein games today were elegant and superb.
A rare spring morning with a somewhat clear blue sky. I ran four miles and on the walk back to the condo I darted up two flights of stairs at the Columbus/Wacker intersection, something I have not done in years.
Both Rubinstein games today were elegant and superb.
Sunday, June 9, 2019
Full Time - Day 43
A stone cold day, flat white. The 2019 spring season is new to my earth experience. I became depressed from the lack of sun and decided to stay indoors, so no library study today.
Went to Blues Fest in the evening at Millennium Park.
Went to Blues Fest in the evening at Millennium Park.
Saturday, June 8, 2019
Full Time - Day 42
I walked in the early morning, the sky blue with no clouds. Ninety minutes later 3/4 of the sky was white.
Finishing up library chess study now, a good session with interesting games.
Finishing up library chess study now, a good session with interesting games.
Friday, June 7, 2019
Thursday, June 6, 2019
Full Time - Day 40
Today is my birthday, so I bought a piece of German chocolate cake before walking to the library. Sky was white and the air cold.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Full Time - Day 39
Nothing new, another white sky and a cold day.
Walked to the library for chess study.
Walked to the library for chess study.
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Full Time - Day 38
No chess study today because I had a visit from my ex-wife Rachel, who wanted to wish me a happy birthday by taking me out to lunch and giving to me my film negatives and black and white photographic prints which had been stored at her house for many years. Now I have twenty boxes of pictures and ten binders filled with negatives. Maybe I will make digital pictures of the better photos and post the artifacts little by little.
The morning was white and cold and after leaving the Indian restaurant in the early afternoon the rain had stopped and the sunlight tried to appear but the white sky persisted.
The morning was white and cold and after leaving the Indian restaurant in the early afternoon the rain had stopped and the sunlight tried to appear but the white sky persisted.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Full Time - Day 37
I ran 2.5 miles under a white sky then walked to the library for chess study.
One block before arriving at the library I was greeted by two young missionaries who asked if I would like to visit their church. I politely declined but mentioned my experience of having read "Kisses from Katie" while traveling in Indonesia.
Once inside the library the usual few hours of chess study.
One block before arriving at the library I was greeted by two young missionaries who asked if I would like to visit their church. I politely declined but mentioned my experience of having read "Kisses from Katie" while traveling in Indonesia.
Once inside the library the usual few hours of chess study.
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Full Time - Day 36
Walked the Navy Pier route in the morning and then walked to the library for a chess study session. A rare day of blue sky, yet cold for the month of June.
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Full Time - Day 35
I Ran 2.5 miles and then walked to the library for chess study. From sun up to sun down the sky was white.
Friday, May 31, 2019
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Full Time - Day 33 part II
Discovered a random journal entry from 2016, when I was beginning my chess studies :
Feb 17, 2016
Rode the Howard
train and 97 bus transfer to the Evanston Chess Club tonight. Arrived
early and helped M set up the boards, then watched her play through a Candidates game
between Fisher/Larsen 1971, Denver. Half way through the game a man named F joined us and I admit I was irritated by his
manner and words, one of
those chess know-it-alls. When
G walked in M suggested I play him, but the loudmouth said "no, I'm
playing G." I said nothing and was eventually paired with S.
After playing a few games with S the casual blitz round robin started. I mostly played to my level but was a bit scattered once my clock was below one minute. When I played F it was
pleasant enough, but he had an irritating habit of speaking out my moves
when they caused him surprise. He played a good game and defeated me.
Full Time - Day 33
I ran four miles at 7:00am and the sky was gray and the air cool.
Later I walked to the library for four hours of chess study. A man named Dmitry asked to play, he is decent with tactics but his openings and positional play need work. In the middle game I built up a strong position against his uncastled king and was threatening Bxd3 :
Dmitry made his move, Nc1, and play continued, not realizing that Nc1 is an illegal move.
I lost the thread of the game and made a number of poor moves and gave up a rook on b2 in exchange for his bishop. Later in the game I was teetering on the edge of defeat when I was gifted with a chess surprise, checkmating Dmitry with a rook and 2 bishops.
Later I walked to the library for four hours of chess study. A man named Dmitry asked to play, he is decent with tactics but his openings and positional play need work. In the middle game I built up a strong position against his uncastled king and was threatening Bxd3 :
Dmitry made his move, Nc1, and play continued, not realizing that Nc1 is an illegal move.
I lost the thread of the game and made a number of poor moves and gave up a rook on b2 in exchange for his bishop. Later in the game I was teetering on the edge of defeat when I was gifted with a chess surprise, checkmating Dmitry with a rook and 2 bishops.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Full Time - Day 32
Cold, gray and white in the morning with a bit of blue peaking through. I walked the Navy Pier route again and then to the library for a five hour chess study session.
A man named Jawanza stopped at my table for a game. He played a hedge hog position as white so I had to think about how to proceed. I had a satisfying moment when I found an indirect way to defend against 27.Nc3, creating a pin on his bishop at c2. I was not surprised when he played 27.Nc3 because he tended to move quickly, so after 27...RxN the game was technically over.
Jawanza/J -
1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 d5 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.d3 O-O 6.Nd2 c5 7.e3 Bg4 8.f3 Bd7 9.Qe2
Na6 10.O-O-O Qa5 11.d4 Bb5 12.Qe1 c4 13.Nb1 Qc7 14.b4 c3 15.Nxc3 Rac8 16.a3
Bc4 17.Rd2 Nb8 18.Nge2 a5 19.b5 a4 20.Bh3 e6 21.g4 Qa5 22.g5 Ne8 23.f4 Nc7 24.
Ng3 Nxb5 25.Nxb5 Qxb5 26.Ne2 Ba2 27.Nc3 Rxc3 28.Bf1 Qb6 29.Rd3 Rxd3 30.Bxd3
Rc8 31.c3 Bc4 32.Bc2 Bb3 33.h4 Bxc2 34.Kxc2 Qb3+ 35.Kc1 Bf8 36.h5 Bxa3 37.Qd2
Rxc3+ 38.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 39.Kd1 Qxb2 40.Rf1 Bb4 41.hxg6 Qd2# 0-1
A man named Jawanza stopped at my table for a game. He played a hedge hog position as white so I had to think about how to proceed. I had a satisfying moment when I found an indirect way to defend against 27.Nc3, creating a pin on his bishop at c2. I was not surprised when he played 27.Nc3 because he tended to move quickly, so after 27...RxN the game was technically over.
Jawanza/J -
1.g3 Nf6 2.Bg2 d5 3.b3 g6 4.Bb2 Bg7 5.d3 O-O 6.Nd2 c5 7.e3 Bg4 8.f3 Bd7 9.Qe2
Na6 10.O-O-O Qa5 11.d4 Bb5 12.Qe1 c4 13.Nb1 Qc7 14.b4 c3 15.Nxc3 Rac8 16.a3
Bc4 17.Rd2 Nb8 18.Nge2 a5 19.b5 a4 20.Bh3 e6 21.g4 Qa5 22.g5 Ne8 23.f4 Nc7 24.
Ng3 Nxb5 25.Nxb5 Qxb5 26.Ne2 Ba2 27.Nc3 Rxc3 28.Bf1 Qb6 29.Rd3 Rxd3 30.Bxd3
Rc8 31.c3 Bc4 32.Bc2 Bb3 33.h4 Bxc2 34.Kxc2 Qb3+ 35.Kc1 Bf8 36.h5 Bxa3 37.Qd2
Rxc3+ 38.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 39.Kd1 Qxb2 40.Rf1 Bb4 41.hxg6 Qd2# 0-1
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
Full Time - Day 31
A cold, white, rainy day. I walked the Navy Pier route in the early morning and then to the library for a productive six hour chess study session.
A man named Jerome stopped at my table and asked to play a couple of games. I had played with him last week and he thanked me after the game, "that was great therapy, I came to the library to clear my head, now I can't remember why I was so angry." Today I asked if he was having a better day and he said not so much, his ninety year old mother was giving him cause for concern. He sat down and these were the games :
Game 1 -
Jerome/white J/black Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Be2 e6 5.d3 Be7 6.Be3 O-O 7.Qd2 d5 8.exd5 exd5 9.
cxd5 Nxd5 10.Qc1 Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Nd4 12.Qc1 Bg5 13.Qd1 Bf5 14.Nf3 Nxe2 15.Nxe2
Qa5+ 16.Qd2 Bxd2+ 17.Nxd2 Bxd3 0-1
Game 2 -
J/white Jerome/black Philidor Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Qe7 4. O-O Nc6
5. d4 Bd7 6. dxe5 Nxe5 7. Bd5 c6 8. Bb3 Be6
9. Nd4 Bxb3 10. axb3 Nf6 11. Nf5 Qc7 12. Bf4 O-O-O
13. Nd2 g6 14. Ne3 Nh5 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Rxa7 Kb8
17. Qa1 Kc8 18. Ra8+ Kd7 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Ndc4 Bc5
21. Rd1+ Kc7 22. Rxd8 1-0
A man named Jerome stopped at my table and asked to play a couple of games. I had played with him last week and he thanked me after the game, "that was great therapy, I came to the library to clear my head, now I can't remember why I was so angry." Today I asked if he was having a better day and he said not so much, his ninety year old mother was giving him cause for concern. He sat down and these were the games :
Game 1 -
Jerome/white J/black Sicilian Defense
1.e4 c5 2.c4 Nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Be2 e6 5.d3 Be7 6.Be3 O-O 7.Qd2 d5 8.exd5 exd5 9.
cxd5 Nxd5 10.Qc1 Nxe3 11.Qxe3 Nd4 12.Qc1 Bg5 13.Qd1 Bf5 14.Nf3 Nxe2 15.Nxe2
Qa5+ 16.Qd2 Bxd2+ 17.Nxd2 Bxd3 0-1
Game 2 -
J/white Jerome/black Philidor Defense
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Qe7 4. O-O Nc6
5. d4 Bd7 6. dxe5 Nxe5 7. Bd5 c6 8. Bb3 Be6
9. Nd4 Bxb3 10. axb3 Nf6 11. Nf5 Qc7 12. Bf4 O-O-O
13. Nd2 g6 14. Ne3 Nh5 15. Bxe5 dxe5 16. Rxa7 Kb8
17. Qa1 Kc8 18. Ra8+ Kd7 19. Rxd8+ Qxd8 20. Ndc4 Bc5
21. Rd1+ Kc7 22. Rxd8 1-0
Monday, May 27, 2019
Full Time - Day 30
The library was closed due to the holiday. I ran 2.5 miles in the morning under a white sky, moon barely visible. Studied chess at home in the afternoon.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Full Time - Day 28
I ran 2 1/2 miles in the mid-morning then walked to the library under a blue and white sky. It was quiet in the library, had a focused study session.
Friday, May 24, 2019
Full Time - Day 27
Cold, wet and rainy this morning, studied at the library from noon - 5:00pm, mainly played games with a couple of beginning players.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Wednesday, May 22, 2019
Full Time - Day 25
Walked to the library in the late morning for a short chess study session. I had plans to meet my nephew P at Lake Shore Park at 4:30pm, so at 2:30 I left the condo and ran four miles to Diversey Harbor and then walked two miles to Lake Shore Park.
P and I walked on the lakefront trail to Lincoln Park talking of various things. We parted at the zoo entrance and I walked three miles home for a longer than normal exercise bout.
It was the first hot day of 2019 in Chicago, mid 80's and my thirst was high because I had lost my heat acclimatization from SE Asia.
P and I walked on the lakefront trail to Lincoln Park talking of various things. We parted at the zoo entrance and I walked three miles home for a longer than normal exercise bout.
It was the first hot day of 2019 in Chicago, mid 80's and my thirst was high because I had lost my heat acclimatization from SE Asia.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
Full Time - Day 23
I walked to Navy Pier in the morning, cold air with a white sky, then to the library in the afternoon to study chess for six hours.
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Full Time - Day 22
I ran four miles on the lakefront trail under cloudy gray skies and the temperature was warm which felt nice.
Walked to the library in the afternoon and studied chess for 3 1/2 hours.
Walked to the library in the afternoon and studied chess for 3 1/2 hours.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Full Time - Day 21
Walked to the library after a short morning run of two miles and had a focused chess study session. The sky was gray, cold and wet.
Friday, May 17, 2019
Full Time - Day 20
I walked to the library but forgot it closes at 5:00pm on the weekends, so turned around and returned home and had a short home study session.
A cold day with a white sky.
A cold day with a white sky.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Full Time - Day 19
I walked to the library in the evening and studied chess. Weather was warm but the sky was white.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Full Time - Day 18
I walked to the library in the late afternoon and studied chess. Ran four miles in the morning. The day was a bit warmer and slivers of blue appeared at times in the sky.
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