Received my Oct. issue of Chess Life from USCF, and sure enough, I'm reading it, (Yes, every word of the magazine... I see that Randall Hough is now a Member-At-Large! Way to go Randy!! =)

And right there, on page 7, is a full page ad for New In Chess; http://www.newinchess.com (This web-site does not try to put cookies on your computer!!)

And they had various people commenting on the (wonderful) magazine. I found this one to be particularly interesting.

So interesting, in fact, that I literally jumped out of my bed semi-nude to write a post. (Okay, maybe I can leave this paragraph out.)

One of the commentator says:

<"Your magazine is the only one I actually read." Mark Crowther, editor of The Week In Chess, UK>

Your visit to my computer was quite a valuable event. For the first time in fourteen months on Chessgames I can use Little Chess Partner.

All I needed to do was <enable> pop-ups. I thought pop-ups were just pesky ads that only a nut would want. Thank you for setting me straight.

For the first time now, I can enlarge FEN diagrams. Nothing to it.

BTW, are you still at UCSD?

Last year I played in it, and it was my first 'big' tournament environment/style play. Before then, I only played at local chess club tournaments.

I loved the long time control (40/2 + 1/SD), and seeing/meeting all the IMs/GMs that was there. (Granted, I didn't do well... =(

1. Right click on the FEN picture, select 'Open in a new window'

2. A new window will open up, with a message that says file can't be found, but in the address bar is the FEN.

I was a happy Li'l boy, didn't know a bad bishop from a naughty queen and life was good. (queue the chorus for harmony).

Then through the evil of google, I discovered a portal into the nether region/depth of h@ll which I would never again recover.

I had discovered http://www.chessgames.com !!! (queue dramatic orchestral music)

I now suffer from what is commonly referred to as CGKWS, in medical term, it's ChessGames Kibitzin' Withdraw Syndrom. How can you tell if you suffer from CGKWS?

1. You mumble to yourself: "knight take d4 or bishop take d4?" repeatedly, even though you're only trying to order a latte from Starbucks.

2. You worry about silly things such as 'Drunken Knight' or 'Bad Bishop'.

3. You lie awake at night wondering if 0-0 is better, or 0-0-0.

4. You lie awake at night wondering if it's zero-zero or it's capital O-capital O.

5. Endlessly argue with your chess buddies the merits of 1. d4 or 1. e4, only to be told that 1. b3 is the best.

6. You wonder if it's time to bring your King into the fight before or after move 56.

There are many 'evil' members here that I met, and have helped me in the past, I thank you all.

There have been a special few, who have helped my descent faster by giving me a good and healthy push down-ward, I especially want to thank:

<tpstar> for analyze my early games and not laugh, giving me words of encouragement while not snickering.

<AdrianP> for showing me some of the finer and subtle moves in the Sicilian. If I lose a game by playing Sicilian, it's his fault!

<keypusher> for showing me the finer points of chess, by answer many-a-dumb questions that I had.

<suenteus po 147> for many end-game concepts/studies he showed me, and many games we've played against each other on-line.

<refutor> for showing me how FEN works.

<Swapmeet> and <Open Defence> on working the Scotch Opening with me.

<you vs yourself> for constantly and consistenly kicking my a$$ on FICS.

<brankat> for offering support before my National Open Tournament.

And to all my buds that was on the consultation game, white and black side... We had a blast earlier this year.

Last, and very least, <DrDum>, who re-introduced me to the game of chess, hence me ending up here, typing a long and winded post. (But at least it's on my forum, not like it's in the Kibitzer's Cafe)

And a special NO THANKS(!) to <chessgames.com> for my (wasted) time here, I will send them a bill for the cost of my hours. But willing to settle out of court in exchange for extending my premium membership.