Carlsen Interview

About an hour, very interesting.

Hear what he thinks about blitz chess among other things..........

Click here

2013

2013 was an interesting year.

Start	1888
End	1871
Peak	1962

I started with a nice rating gain in January that got me to 1962.  2000 seemed tantalizingly close.

But things turned out otherwise!

I was around 1950 by the US Open in August.  Since then, despite the fact that I have lost only one game to a player rated below me, my rating has plummeted to 1878!

Paying too much attention to rating is a fruitless endeavor.

One's emphasis should be on being a better player. But that is easier said than done.  Improving a rating class as an adult is not a easy task at all.

2014 Iowa Closed Qualifying (To determine the 2014 Iowa Champion)

Top 20 (Top 6 qualify for the 2014 Iowa Closed. They play a round robin event to determine the champion)

Some observations with just one event to go

• Only the top 2 spots are guaranteed. 

• Not all that qualify may play. 

• Mathematically even the person in the 15th spot can qualify.(Provided at least one of the top 6 don't play)

Winter Open (IASCA Mini-Qualifier) Jan 11, Iowa City, IA

Results here

Koenig vs Mc Entee (Rnd. two  0-1)

Spacious playing hall (Only negative : No skittles area)