Monday, April 25, 2011

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

2011 U.S. Championships April in St Louis

Just north and up the river to St. Louis!

Hosted by the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of St. Louis.

2011 U.S. Women's Championship

1. IM Anna Zatonskih
2. IM Irina Krush
3. IM Rusadan Goletiani
4. WGM Camilla Baginskaite
5. WIM Tatev Abrahamyan
6. WIM Sabina Foisor
7. FM Alisa Melekhina
8. WIM Iryna Zenyuk

Catch live coverage Friday April 15, 2011 click here.

Commentators
GM Maurice Ashley
WGM Jennifer Shahade

MY NOTES:It is a definate fact, that TN needs more ladies in serious chess play. This brings to mind another fact about Mid-South Chess Camp. Did you realize that they bring in high rated women chess players.

GM Susan Polgar
WGM Jennifer Shahade
WGM Martica Fierro
WIM Alisa Melekhina
WIM Iryna Zenyuk
Eve Kutvak
IM Irina Krush

Three of the eight players in this years 2011 U. S. Women's Championship have been instructors at the Mid-South Chess Camp. This year returns WGM Alisa Melekhina. Along with these three, WGM Jennifer Shahade one of the commentators has also been an instructor here at the camp.
Click here for my complete post on this.

AND THE

2011 U.S. Chess Championship
Click here for information.

1.GM Gata Kamsky
2.GM Alex Onischuk
3.GM Varuzhan Akobian
4.GM Yasser Seirawan
5.GM Yury Shulman
6.GM Jaan Ehlvest
7.GM Alex Stripunsky
8.GM Larry Christiansen
9.GM Robert Hess
10.GM Alex Shabalov
11.GM Alexander Ivanov
12.GM-elect Sam Shankland
13.GM Ben Finegold
14.IM Daniel Naroditsky
15.GM Gregory Kaidanov
16.GM Ray Robson

For live game coverage click here, starting April 15, 2:00pm

You will find GM Alex Stripunsky and GM Robert Hess at this years Mid-South Chess Camp, right here in Memphis!



Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Good Morning Memphissssssssssss!


Just was so beautiful out, and the weather is cool and refreshing!
Had to tell everyone to have a chess wonderful day!
Never know when the winds will change and the weather gets hotter!
Enjoy your day!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Congratulations to the NEW President at the MCC.


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What happened boys, April Fools get to you?
Don't know that there has been a full moon lately,


I wonder what on earth brought about a New Presidency for you all.


Shakin them up over there!

I am doing a Happy Dance for you, but,
there are more on your Board that need to go.

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Thursday, April 7, 2011

Woe is me, what a shame! Response to comment by M S.

Once again an explanation is required. I have been receiving comments, some good, some bad, and some ugly. There are currently 27 comments (not approved) in the holding queue, and I have deleted 4 others that will never be posted. Of course blogging is unique in its own methods. As you know anyone may post using their own true identity, a false made up one, or whatever one chooses.

This front page post was necessary to address this particular posted comment because this latest poster apparently didn't understand or read the opening notice of blogging etiquette on the previous front page post "Anonymous - It's your day, APRIL FOOL" dated April 1, 2011, explaining not to use real names of others. Therefore this name shall be removed. Secondly they signed the post with what seems to be a real person's name. Having no way to verify this person as the real poster, since no email contact nor other form of contact information is on the profile page that is linked to this user name. I will address this new post as I did the other one on the front page item by item in it's entirety with names removed, until which time the poster may contact me through email, with verifiable contact information of their own.


Be advised this is not for the squeamish or faint of heart! Here goes, fasten your seat belts people.


This is a post that was directed as response to the "Anonymous - It's your day, APRIL FOOL" dated April 1, 2011.

By poster M S: Wow. Pretty juvenile, on this blog. Surely chess players have better things to do with their time than run a blog and make posts like this!

Blog Admin response: Wow, if it is so "Pretty juvenile" then what might I ask are you doing here, spending your time reading it, and posting here? Kind of making one of those "post like this" of your own? My guess is that you are trying to feel like a big shot to the boys at a certain club, rather than having a real interest in promoting better chess for the area and or helping to mend any fences. The owner of this blog feels a responsibility to promoting the best chess available in the West Tennessee area based on truth, which seems to be a major irritant to the "old boys club" mentality that is rampant here in Shelby County.

By poster M S: My son and I have played in tournaments in just about every club in the area, and we have found the distribution of nice and mean players about the same wherever we go.

Blog Admin response: That's wonderful, sounds like a logical statement, but a lopsided one at best, or either you have blinders on and really aren't paying any attention to the differences in chess play, teaching of chess methods or preferences to wholesome environments for underage chess players.

By poster M S: What we have noticed is that Shelby County consistently hosts tournaments that are poorly organized, ineptly run, and more expensive than either Memphis Chess Club or Memphis Scholastic Chess events.

Blog Admin response: This seems like a ridiculous and completely bogus assessment since you later in your comment, lament the entire area and prefer to travel all the way to Murfreesboro for your chess play. However, cost may vary, poorly organized, ineptly run can happen in reality to any event here or across the nation. In your wording of Shelby County which is all encompassing, I would agree that there are events no matter which group is organizing, or running them, that may seem so. It is the nature of dealing with public events. None of them will be perfect all the time.

By poster M S: We have found that, for whatever reason, XXXX REAL NAME REMOVED XXXX tournaments tend to start 30-45 minutes after the posted start time and run late.

Blog Admin response: It seems to be on record, that at the most recent event that you and your son played in the open section with this person as TD, your open section started on time. However, the delays in the scholastic section were well known to be caused by many first time scholastic players, whom didn't even know what a wall chart was, where to find it, how to look at it, and many were getting their USCF memberships for the very first time. Surely you can understand the nature of dealing with many novice players. I am wondering what you were doing to try and help, or were you plastered against a wall somewhere with your arms folded watching your watch. Surely you could have found a way to help others that were new and help move the event along. Surely as seasoned players both you and your son could have extended your services, on these occasions, unless it is more gratifying to you to watch and complain.


By poster M S: We have witnessed incidents during Shelby County events that make me wary of taking my girls to them, as the tournaments director(s) display an extraordinary disregard for the need to provide a safe playing environment for the kids.

Blog Admin response: This seems a bit of a stretch also, as the events throughout Shelby County are usually all held in places where most of the clubs all have held events. The JCC, University of Memphis, Schools all have had the major players at them. So, for you to say "witnessed incidents" and "safe playing environment for kids" would here again apply to most if not all organizers in the area since they all have used the same locations for the most part. I also have some concern of my own as you mention "my girls". Do you think it is alright at any event local or not to leave small girls or boys for that matter unattended as a parent? Is it more important to you, to make sure you are playing in the open section rather than being fully attentive to your girls at any chess event regardless of promoter, location, organizer or what have you? Because if that is the case and if you believe that the organizer, promoter or TD is the sole responsibility for your children while at a knowingly public event, you leave yourself fully open to the doubt of your own parenting skills, period.

By poster M S: And as one who isn't likely to win a cash prize in a tournament, $40 is a pretty steep entry fee for the upcoming June tournament. My son and I will likely travel to Murfreesboro the previous weekend to attend their event, as they consistently provide a great tournament experience (certainly better than anything in Memphis!)

Blog Admin response: You declare a USCF sanctioned and approved event, the U.S. Amateur South, brought to the Memphis area as "pretty steep entry fee", while willing to travel to Murfreesboro the previous weekend instead. I am thrilled that you are so pleased with Murfreesboro chess events, I really am. I hope you really really like traveling there and continue to for all of your future chess play. According to Mapquest it is 3 hours and 51 minutes one way, 244.74 miles one way. If you double that for round trip, (I am sure you plan to come back), for a whopping 489.48 miles round trip.

Now lets break this down. The tournament in Murfreesboro with the Rutherford County Chess Club, list and entry free of $25.00 for early entry or $30 at the door. Which are just a $15.00 difference for early entry and only a whopping $10.00 difference at the door.

Now current gas prices in the area are mildly around $3.50 per gallon, unless you plan to go by motorcycle, horse and buggy, or walk you definitely will make up the $15.00 or $10.00 difference in entry fee cost in just gasoline cost for your round trip mileage of 489.48 miles. So, that brings us to what's this really all about?


By poster M S: It's a shame that the chess organizations in Memphis can't get along better.

Blog Admin response: Have to agree on the "it's a shame"! Yet I have to ask, do you think you have a role to play in this "get along better" wishful thinking of yours? Or, is your way to blow hearty and run the other way, and to never seek truthfulness in dialogue?

By poster M S: Until they do, my son and I will continue to attend cheap, well-run, well-organized tournaments where we find them, regardless of whose banner they fly under.

Blog Admin response: I might ask where are your girls playing or was your concern about them a smoke screen for your other ramblings? Your entire post now is looking rather askew as it seems not to be reality based.

By poster M S: Memphis Chess and MSC currently provide the best tournament experience in the Memphis area by far.

Blog Admin response: Yet to find everything to your likening you travel round trip 489.48 miles, spend 7 hours and 42 minutes time and find it in Murfreesboro? A bit of a contradiction there friend! Oh and by the way while looking for "cheap" play, did you realize that it is cheaper to get your family membership through the Memphis Chess Club rather than purchase it directly through the Greater Memphis Chess Center? Did any of them explain that to you? Also, there are some clubs that are free, and don't charge a yearly membership, or even club dues here in Memphis.


By poster M S: I don't have any expectation of seeing this post in its entirety, but hopefully the reader will consider this post and work to provide a better tournament experience. This will serve the players better and help to advance our great game.

Blog Admin response: Another mistake, same as Anonymous. Yes it is posted in it's entirety with names shielded. However, let me make this perfectly clear for you and all your buddies, I do not provide tournaments, at this time. Period.

Please, get your facts correct and just don't assume the "guys" are telling you the truth in any way, fashion, or form, they have way too much to hide from public view.

While most everyone may declare that "wouldn't it be nice if everything and everyone in the Memphis, West Tennessee area would get along for better chess", there are few whom really mean it and or have actively extended any opportunity to make it so. Apparently, that includes you.



SIGNED: Mike Salzgeber
Contact confirmed.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Anonymous - It's your day, APRIL FOOL

Guess What - It's time, front and center just like I promised.
Grab some paper and pencils so that you can take notes.

OK folks, to catch you up on some of the vague post lately. There have been many comments that I have received but have held in a holding queue where all comments are held until they are reviewed, approved and then released for posting. I am addressing two of these posts now which are issued by the same poster. So, if you don't understand all of the following information, do not worry, this anonymous poster will.

Also, I ask you to forgive me for having to address the stupidity of foolish people that are either ignorant of blogging etiquette and/or are just plain dumb and don't care about others as long as they can be bossy, rude, arrogant, obnoxious, controlling, misinformed, lacking in truth, and just downright hateful. Someone who thinks they can go on and on and on for years and not ever be addressed about their actions under the very false sense of security of posting "Anonymous".

Wrong, dumb dumb, you are oh so typically wrong again.

TO ANONYMOUS:

1) DO NOT USE REAL NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT KNOWN TO BE PUBLIC FIGURES WHILE YOU ARE A GUEST COMMENTER!
THAT MEANS - DO NOT DISCLOSE OTHER PEOPLE BY THEIR REAL NAME IF THEY ARE POSTING ON THE SAME BLOG USING A USER ID INSTEAD OF THEIR REAL NAME AND YOU ARE JUST A GUEST.
(GUEST MEANS - NOT THE OWNER, ORIGNATOR OR ARTICLE AUTHOR.)


2) Now to address your obnoxious first post, dated 3/7/11.

Annonymous: Which people at the Memphis Chess Club were not nice?

Blog Admin response: Don't know as I wasn't the poster of the comment you are referring to. But, I could guess you were one of them, along with others on the board with you.

Annonymous: I would love to know. What were the circumstances?

Blog Admin response: Don't know as I wasn't the poster of the comment you are referring to. But, I can say that I have heard of, and been told of several situations by different people over the years.

Annonymous: I believe this was a 'made up' comment. Come on XXX REAL NAME XXX. Let's play fair. These aren't real comments, ARE THEY.

Blog Admin response: You can believe whatever you wish. We both know you do just that, regardless of any further investigation, facts or proof. It's another classic example of your insecurity and obnoxious behavior. Yes they were real comments, submitted just as yours were.

Annonymous: And what did you say about me anyway? I would love to know. Or do I have to ask XXXXX MCC MEMBERS REAL NAME XXXXXX?

Blog Admin response:
I guess you will have to ask the MCC member whose name you so very blatantly put in your posted comments, and be sure to tell him he owes me a thank you for protecting his NAME.

Annonymous: I bet you won't publish this.

Blog Admin response: Wrong again! What's new!

By Anonymous on Pictures from GM Nakmura's appearance at theUniver... on 3/7/11

For all those following along - this is the second post by the same poster using "Annonymous" as user id posted on 3/9/2011.

Annonymous: What is that, a threat?

Blog Admin response: No, a promise.

Annonymous: Be very careful what you say, my dear. Just remember that I know who you work for and why. Don't give me this 'I'm here for the kids' crap. Face it, you are doing this for XXX REAL NAME XXX and his XXX REAL NAME XXX. Once they're done with you they will throw you out like before. By the way, the MCC did nothing to lose the University spot. Someone, and we know who dont we, engineered that little thing.

Blog Admin response: I am always careful; I have to be with the likes of your hateful, mean group present. Make up your mind, will you! Here you say you know who I work for, but, near the end of your comment you tell me to get a real job. Which is it, oh yea? I forgot you're not much for truth, facts, and honesty. About the kids, I sure am not here for the likes of you or any of your group that for years discouraged many children from playing at your club. The next part isn't worth addressing as you don't have your facts correct, again. As far as the MCC doing nothing to lose the University spot, are you referring to the first or second time, because you are so misinformed again as usual, as both times the University had due cause to tell the MCC to remove their activities from their premises. Do you attend the MCC Board meetings? As a sitting member of the board you certainly should know the true facts. So, if you have been missing your Board meetings, maybe you should ask the other Board members for the truth. In the case that you have been attending your Board meetings, then what is this all about? Or is lying just one of your fun things to do? And, no I do not know "who", as your own members have openly stated that it was due to noncompliance issues with the U of M's rules.

Annonymous: XXX REAL NAME XXX, why not stop working for XXX REAL NAME XXX and get a real job.

Blog Admin response: Do you all have an opening? If I didn't know better, I would think you were offering me a job!

By Anonymous on Anonymous 12:57 pm on 3/9/11



Blog Admin: enjoy the music!



UPDATE:
I have been contacted and asked of whom I have been addressing in the post!

For those inquiring minds - send me a direct email and I will release the name by email, those who are my friends and have my phone number, call me directly. I am sure you can guess who it is, but, then again it's good for a laugh!






UPDATE 2: Heads up Mike - it will be posted in it's entirety, and with a complete and full reply, when I have time to post a response at the same time. Thanks for your comments, hope you will feel the same about mine. Regards, Blog Admin.