So today we both have match between our nations and the second round in Wijk an Zee, were I especially enjoy the indian crew/commentators with their friendly approach and a lot of humour, which is highly appreciated in these times.

I hope you and Maria have entered the new year in grand style and that you are enjoying your life in Iasi.

Here we have had a decent amount of snow which I love,as you you know ;)

I will also cheer for the romanian team tonight, but mainly for the danes ;)

All the best wishes to you from me!

I'm pretty well, of late, the good news is that sumatriptan pills have managed to stop short all my migraines in the past year - which never happened before, with any other pill/remedy. In chess I lose a lot, but when I do win it's celebration time!...:) Very little snow here, while we experience quite a freezing wave for some days.

Yes, we have a very strong team and are heavy favourites for the moment.Also due to playing on homeground.

Did I tell yo that I as a kid was very impressed when my grandfather told me he has spoken several times with one of the 2 guys who invented the handballgame ?

Yes we hope for the final,but the last macth vs the portoguese were rather worrying ): And tonight we have to step up against the strong french team.

Had money on a draw (odss 20:1 ! ) between your team and the macedoninians.Unfortunately the match lasted one second too much;)

Hope you will have a beautiful day !

Well that was a nervewracking story which fortunately ended well.And we were very impressed by, how they maneged to come back after being close to a defeat.And the whole atmospehre in the audience.

Hereby all the best wishes for the new day and to a nice weekend too.

We are really enjoying every second evening and those handball free too ;)Though it can be nailbiting sometimes...

Hope all is good in Iasi and you two are enjoying the still new year !

Thanks a lot my dear <virginmind>.

3 hours to the final and thrilling last round in Wijk an Zee and 9 hours to the final.What a day !

I/ we are afraid it gonna be a nervewracking affair ):

All the best wishes for your day.

They/we finally made it. Despite 3 of our best defenders were injuried. But the whole team and our wonderful coach somehow found the resources, also helped by our unique audience without whom they wouldn´t have made it.

To a great day in good old Iasi !

We're planning a road trip to Constanta, at the Black Sea coast, for a few days at the end of March. Yeah, pretty early in the year, but it's mostly for the sea air.

That's about it. Enjoying the feeling of freedom.

And a hearfelt welcome to the club of retired honorable citizens who are off to other adventures and who can look back on a finished chapter..... were it sounds like you have had the very best start. A trip to Constanta in the early spring sounds great for you two Iasians.

A good idea to experiment with the clock and hopefully finding the one that suits you best.... Mine back in the heydays as in over the board was one hour pr. player. Not too long and far from blitz. A lot of space for going deep with the position at hand.

Here the snow has just melted and the very very early spring is soon to begin.Like my favorite: Bicycling were the season has just started and on sunday the first race will be broadcasted on the national television. Many great moments ahead. Like being on the road again ;)

Take care my friend and enjoy your new freedom.

I kept to 5 min. blitz lately and here's the latest (I lost on time):

1. e4 Nc6 2. d4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. e5 Bd7 5. Be2 f6 6. O-O fxe5 7. dxe5 Bc5 8. Bg5 Nge7 9. Nh4 O-O 10. Nf3 Qe8 11. Bd3 Qh5 12. h4 Rae8 13. Be2 h6 14. Nh2 Qg6 15. Bh5 Qf5 16. Bxe8 Bxe8 17. Bxe7 Nxe7 18. Nf3 Ng6 19. g3 Qg4 20. Nbd2 Qxg3+ 21. Kh1 Qh3+ 22. Nh2 Bc6 23. Qg4 d4+ 24. f3 Qxg4 25. Nxg4 Nxh4 26. Rad1 h5 27. Nh2 Rf5 28. Ne4 Bb6 29. c3 dxc3 30. bxc3 Kh7 31. a3 a5 32. c4 Rxe5 33. c5 Ba7 34. Rde1 Nf5 35. Rg1 Nd4 36. Ng5+ Kh6 0-1

Very nice to hear from you again. And very good to hear about you succesfull trips abroad. You guy seem to be some mascots of luck concerning the fine weather ;) It almost soudns like something for the Book of Guiness....;) Wish you and I could have a Guiness and enjoy a Carlsen game today, in the swedish town Malmö, were I used to play once a year shortly before Christmas.

Here things are ok/fine, despite some body issues. I am so delighted that the bike season has serioulsly started.... When the bikers are on the road, I feel decades younger and get pleasant flashes from all my times on the roads, e.g. as a hitchhiker.

Wife is working home today and we do deeply enjoy each others company.

Hope all the best for you and that you may continue your new retired life, as good as it has started off. But Maria is not retired, right ?

I noticed you didn't mention the game I posted, of course there's no hurry, whenever you have time and feel like. Carlsen started with a draw in TePe Sigeman, but look at Woodward, one year older than Erdogmus, beating the experienced Grandelius. Of course, Erdogmus' draw against van Foreest (2735) was no mean feat.

Thanks for your reply. Sorry, due to bodyissues, I haven´t found the space to watch your game,but when the temperature is geting lower (much better nightsleep, connected with my whiplash) I´l then give it a shot.

So you are both retired now... What a new world of opportunities which opens up, right !? "You´ve got all the time in the world",as good old Satcmo sings in this old beautifull song.

Hannah has no firm plan, but I think she will retire in about two years time. Till then, I am still very proud to say, she is working on our univeristy ;)

Yes, Malmö has started with a slow beginnig from Magnus (rusty?) as often happens. While the uzbeks and youngsters are ready to take over....

Hope you both will enjoy your weekend !

And what a clash today ! Carlsen- Abdu.