Fusilli Member since Aug-09-04 · Last seen Oct-07-25 Mariano Sana, Argentinian by birth, in the US since 1995. Naturalized US citizen. I hold a PhD in Demography from the University of Pennsylvania, and I am an associate professor of Sociology at Vanderbilt University: https://as.vanderbilt.edu/sociology.... Previously, I was at Louisiana State University (2003-2009). My published academic work can be seen here: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/Mar.... My review of Gary Alan Fine's "Players and Pawns" is here: https://www.academia.edu/69647923/P.... My avatar comes from a cartoon of mine drawn by a friend. My username, besides the pasta, is my late cat's name (he died in March 2021, age 19), inspired by this cartoon: https://condenaststore.com/featured.... My first tournament was at age 12 in 1979. I finished 8th in the Argentine junior championship in 1985. So, I was good enough, but not great. (That same evaluation might still be apt today, on a good day.) Unfortunately, no game scores survived from those years. I started to play again after grad school. I play between 0 and 4 tournaments per year. I won the Louisiana State Championship in 2007. I lost the first game and then won six in a row. This was my last round win, where I got lucky after playing the opening pretty terribly: J Rousselle vs M Sana, 2007. I also won the under 2200 section of the US Open in 2014. Again, Swiss gambit. Lost the first one, then won five in a row, lost game 7 (M Sana vs J Sheng, 2014, a rather atypical game), and won games 8 and 9. My last round win was featured as a Tuesday puzzle: K Gulamali vs M Sana, 2014. (Try it! Black to play at move 29. But you can also do black to play at move 22 as a principled-move puzzle.) I'd say that I am essentially a good but inconsistent player. My playing style is a mix of strategic and tactical. I'm usually very willing to sac a pawn or allow positional weaknesses in exchange for active piece play. For years I hovered around 2200, down to mid 2100s a few years ago after a disaster and a 50-point loss at the 2019 World Open. (Aging and MS fatigue had much to do with that.) On good days, I have had nice wins: T Bartell vs M Sana, 2009, R Burnett vs M Sana, 2012, M Sana vs C Blocker, 2014, M Sana vs R Burnett, 2015. But on a bad day, I can play horribly and lose against whoever is sitting in front of me. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) in 2011, but it didn't cause me trouble until 2018/9. I have a weak right leg (I often use a cane now) and I fatigue easily. Medication, well-timed naps, and exercise help. I play blitz games on chess.com under the username RealFusilli. My participation on this website goes through ebbs and flows, and the majority of my posts are about chess. I often post on my own forum just to keep records for myself. Everyone is welcome to visit and share! (But please don't post about politics here.)

Fusilli has kibitzed 6255 times to chessgames   [more...]

Oct-07-25 Hikaru Nakamura    Fusilli: Back in the day, I would sometimes resign by picking up my king and placing it in front of my opponent. And one day I read that a GM (I think Sosonko) did the same thing, while saying, "here's, it's yours." So, sure, one for the crowd, why not.      Sep-15-25 L Mendonca vs M Yilmaz, 2024    Fusilli: <perfidious> <There have been POTDs presented by <cg> which have featured positions which were analogous to practical games rather than guess the move> Not sure I follow. To me, Guess-the-Move games do reflect practical play, since you have to make every move, ...      Sep-12-25 Leon Mendonca   Fusilli: Mendonca, no doubt originally spelled with a c-cedilla instead of a c, is a Portuguese surname, a reminder that Portugal colonized parts of India since as early as the 16th century.      Sep-12-25 A Mittal vs Y K Erdogmus, 2025    Fusilli: <FSR: Insane! The kid is a genius! I say he's a future world champion.> I share your enthusiasm but not your evaluation. The combination is absolutely beautiful but not hard to see for a strong player. It's a straight set of forced moves. I think it would be a Friday puzzle ...      Sep-10-25 Fusilli chessforum    Fusilli: <OCF> I'm kind of proud of myself I got it. The word puzzle was apt! Where did you source it from?      Sep-07-25 Karpov vs K Rogoff, 1971   Fusilli: Vintage Karpov gives a lesson on superior positional play. Every piece going to the right square at the right time. Or pretty close to that.      Sep-07-25 S Marangunic vs K Rogoff, 1971    Fusilli: <FTB> OK, here we go. I thought 16.Bxf6 was dubious. Why give up the bishop pair in a fairly open position? 16.Ne3 looks better to me. I was wondering what could be wrong with 23.Nb5. It turns out that after 23...Bf8 24.Rxd7 Rxd7 25.Nxa7 meets ...Bc5 followed by ...Rd2, which ...      Sep-07-25 Fridrik Olafsson    Fusilli: <perf> oh, right, I see      Sep-06-25 Peter Enders    Fusilli: <He died on his birthday :( > Very sad. It reminded me of this demographic research article I saw decades ago: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/143... Abstract: <This study of deaths from natural causes examined adult mortality around the birthday for two samples, ...      Sep-03-25 So vs D Gukesh, 2025   Fusilli: <beatgiant> Because I didn't see it? Or I like complicating things, especially my life? Who knows!

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My Facerook Wall

< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 54 OF 112 ·  Later Kibitzing> Apr-19-16    Fusilli: <K> Ha ha, no, not really. At the beginning of the semester I advise them to read this: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-t.... They seem to have gotten the point that if they don't get the grade they want, they should ask how to prepare better for the next exam / assignment. I rarely get outright complaints or whining. Apr-19-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> #9 is cute. The author wants you to not misrepresent facts as opinions and opinions as facts, and then proceed to misrepresent an opinion as a fact herself: <"Wait. Feminists “believe”? Given that women are 51% of the population, 16 out of 100 means that women are underrepresented on Capitol Hill. This is a social fact, yeah? Now, you can agree or disagree with feminists that this is a problem, but don’t suggest, as CNN does, that the fact itself is an opinion."> No, it is not a social fact. Representation in congress--which is the context here--is not gender-restrictive--men can represent women and vice versa; they're there to represent their constituents, not their respective genders, and since women are the majority of voters, they are not underrepresented because they voted for the man or woman in congress to represent them. It's why CNN wrote "many feminists believe" instead of "women are underrepresented in Capitol Hill". The context in which the reality is presented matters in determining whether or not something is indeed a fact. Otherwise you just could say, "all trees are living things, that is fact". No, there are dead trees that are still considered trees--it is not a fact that all trees are living things, however it is a fact that all trees will have been alive at one point (before they die). But if you put it in context, like "all trees within 200 meters of Capitol Hill today are living things," then it may well be a fact. Apr-19-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> That article is not some kind of unofficial test you give out to students, right, where some student might then bring up and argue #9 (like me) in class so you can see if they understand what "social fact" actually means? Because it's a sociology term. In my case, it's been a long time since I took Introduction to Sociology, so you will probably then proceed to embarass me in class by pointing out how wrong I am. Apr-20-16    Fusilli: <K> Ha! No, not a test at all. I just tell them it offers a window into what professors find annoying, and it is to their benefit to be aware of this. I care most about #1-4 and #10. In other words, basic principles of professional behavior. #3 is a big pet-peeve of mine, as my class ends exactly when it is supposed to, not 5-10 minutes earlier. You wouldn't believe how common #2 is. Vanderbilt students seem to naturally adopt #6, as I was saying earlier. #7 to me is obsolete... formatting? Just give students a minimum-maximum word range. Who talks in terms of number of pages anymore? You made a good point about #9. I hadn't thought about it. Apr-29-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> Sorry it wasn't a brief acknowledgement, but it'll be deleted anyway, so it matters little. Also, it seems that I unintentionally picked the right avatar for my last post. How amusing... :-P May-02-16    Knight13: The post above is now out of context due to mysteriously disappearing rectangular world walls. The magician didn't get paid enough to finish his job, I see. May-02-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" Is asking or answering, "who will watch the watchdogs?" in a university setting considered political? What do you consider to be politics (and therefore off-limits)? A clear definition or guideline would help. May-02-16    Fusilli: <K> Feminism and its criticism is political, but I've been tolerant about it, but it was beginning to make me uncomfortable. Discussing the role of universities and free speech is also political, but again I was comfortable enough. Race and racism is political, explosive, and a topic that I don't want on my forum. I also don't want discussion of the 2016 election and the candidates (which has not come up, but I am just mentioning something I don't want here). I don't want religion either. Or gun politics, or most other types of politics. As you know, I don't totally eschew those debates, but I prefer to drop my 2-cents at K. Rogoff's page if I feel like it. In general, I just want my forum to be mostly lighthearted and with a significant proportion of chess content. Again, not that I don't like politics (I surely do), but a preference about the content I want here. BTW, have you graduated already? I lost track of how old you are. May-07-16    falso contacto: Si si Mauricio o Cristina?! Es un chiste. May-07-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> I never graduate from anything. My age? I'm old. Probably older than you. Not good. I'm sorry for the excessively late reply. Also not good. May-10-16    Fusilli: <falso contacto> Que dice amigo! No me acuerdo si estas en Argentina o en EEUU o en otra parte. Mas que opiniones sobre politica argentina, tengo opiniones sobre la cultura politica argentina. Te las cuento otro dia. :) May-14-16    falso contacto: El nivel teórico me parece adecuado para un foro como este. Leía algunas discusiones tuyas donde el interlocutor te quería llevar hacia un nivel más básico tomándolo por más verdadero. Estoy en Buenos Aires. Vivo en Zona Norte. Jun-02-16    agb2002: <Fusilli: <agb2002: <Fusilli>, <YouRang> It seems we share some kind of fascination for endgame studies.> We do! I think one aesthetic advance of endgame puzzles (which sometimes look indeed like studies) is that every single piece matters or has a purpose for being exactly where they are. In middle game puzzles, there are multiple pieces that don't matter.> Reconozco que tiendo a pensar mucho más en términos de funcionalidad y eficiencia que en artísticos o estéticos. La impresión que me produjo siendo un crío el estudio más famoso de Reti fue sobre todo de cuestionamiento de la 'evidencia'. Me hice con algo de literatura específica sobre estudios (Kasparian, Mugnos, Reti) pero habrán pasado unos cuarenta años y apenas les dediqué algunas horas. Jun-03-16    Fusilli: <agb2002> Gracias por visitar mi forum! El estudio de Reti me sigue fascinando hoy como el primer dia que lo vi. Mi columna favorita en Chess Life era "Benko's Bafflers." Donde esta usted? Es americano / latino / otro? I'm heading to Argentina on Tuesday for three weeks! With my fiancee. I got engaged last week! Jun-04-16    agb2002: <Fusilli: <agb2002> Gracias por visitar mi forum! El estudio de Reti me sigue fascinando hoy como el primer dia que lo vi.> Fascina por la sencillez de la posición, un rey y un peón por bando y por la sencillez con la que se puede explicar la solución: el rey blanco crea una doble amenaza. <Mi columna favorita en Chess Life era "Benko's Bafflers."> No la conozco. Echaré un vistazo por Internet a ver qué encuentro. <Donde esta usted? Es americano / latino / otro?> Soy español, de carácter Mediterráneo. Es posible que me convierta en vecino de Illinois en un futuro cercano porque parece un buen estado para abrir una fábrica de equipos industriales. <I'm heading to Argentina on Tuesday for three weeks! With my fiancee. I got engaged last week!> Congratulations!! Jul-07-16    agb2002: <Fusilli: Hola amigo! Como van los posibles planes de mudarse a la tierra del tio Sam?> Hola Mariano, Lo más complicado parece ser encontrar un sitio adecuado para la familia, con un buen colegio para los críos y que la mujer no se aburra ni se queje demasiado. El inglés será inicialmente otra dificultad para ellos. No creo que tengamos muchos problemas para encontrar soldadores y mecánicos cualificados. Queremos producir equipos de transferencia de calor con el sello U de ASME (www.asme.org) destinados a cualquier industria (petroquímica, alimentación, farmacéutica, etc.). Probablemente empezaríamos subcontratando un taller ya existente para luego crear uno propio con personal casi exclusivamente estadounidense, excepto dos o tres españoles. Saludos cordiales, Antonio Jul-30-16    Fusilli: I just played the weirdest game on ICC, 3-min. I am black, and white is listed as an FM: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c6 3. Nc3 e6 4. e4 d5 5. e5 Ne4 6. Nxe4 dxe4 7. Be3 Bb4+ 8. Bd2 Qa5 9. a3 Bxd2+ 10. Qxd2 Qxd2+ 11. Kxd2 c5 12. Ke3 cxd4+ 13. Kxd4 O-O 14. Kxe4 b6 15. f3 Bb7+ 16. Kf4 f6 17. Bd3 fxe5+ 18. Kxe5 Nc6+ 19. Kxe6 Rae8+ 20. Kd6 Rd8+ 21. Kc7 Rf7# White checkmated 0-1 Final position: click for larger view Aug-09-16    parisattack: <Fusilli> Happy 12th CG.com anniversary. Aug-09-16    Fusilli: <parisattack> Likewise, my <CG> twin! Aug-10-16    Fusilli: I want to win millions of dollars at Power Ball, quit my job and devote my time to traveling and playing chess. Is that too much to ask? I am willing to share the prize, I don't need to be the sole winner of the Power Ball! Aug-10-16    parisattack: <Fusilli: I want to win millions of dollars at Power Ball, quit my job and devote my time to traveling and playing chess.> Sounds like a great idea! But be sure to send me a couple mill so I can join you on the world chess tour. :) Aug-11-16    Fusilli: <parisattack> I guess it's time to start trying. I have not played Power Ball in years. If I don't play my likelihood of winning is zero! Unlike playing, where, you know, my likelihood of winning is substantially larger, like 1 in many, many millions (http://www.powerball.com/powerball/...). Aug-11-16    Knight13: <Fusilli> Do not give in to your temptation and throw away your money. Rise above. Focus on getting Full Professor. Aug-12-16    Shams: <Focus on getting Full Professor.> https://twitter.com/superhelical/st... Aug-12-16    Fusilli: <Knight> Trying, trying... <Shams> That's good! How about this one: http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/T... I actually have tenure, since I came to Vandy. I just want the next promotion. It's just that my lifetime employment does not depend on it, which takes some motivation away... Jump to page #   (enter # from 1 to 112) search thread:    < Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 54 OF 112 ·  Later Kibitzing>

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