but I only play on Yahoo.

The site is much better than people say.

There's no way to quit a game or boot someone from the table without losing your points.

Also, there are some VERY STRONG players-- plus, there are thousands and thousands of strong players on 24/7, so I never have to wait longer than a minute for a good game.

I got very used to it, and feel most comfortable playing on it.

Time to get up!!

Have a look, I still have to write an email with branko to headquarters...

Any tips? You spoke with D. Freeman?

If you have a tip, please let me know by email.

Please email me with details?

Whatever "side" there is, I'm with you and branko no matter what.

Yes, I've been in contact three times with <Mr. Freeman> regarding my constant posting violations, and all I can say is that he is TOTALLY REASONABLE and very, very warm and polite.

Mainly, I can't stress enough how level headed, calm, and reasonable he is.

Send me a EMU?

I will EMU you right back, I had a very exciting experience today and I'm bursting to tell you.

I feel a bit deflated - not much energy.

Just write anything you want about your experience!!!

I promise I will give it all my attention, and will take the time to reply to you.

Actually I REALLY could use one of your EMUs today, to get me on the up again...

Tell me how the heck you're doing, Jess!!

;-)

Of course!

Right now I'm gonna take a nap.

But first, now for something completely predictable:

Here are two <YouTube> videos, both accurate in their way.

they are both called <Life in Korea>:

One is from the perspective of an <immigrant Asian factory worker> and the other is from the perspective of a <middle class chamber of commerce organization>.

I have seen both of these "faces" of Korea- they are both here.

I think they make an instructive contrast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfKv...

Propaganda- especially with an organized religious flavor- is the worst.

check out the desolation in the "second life in Korea" clip.

I just sent you a LONG, RAMBLING INCOHERENT EMU.

<Jess> The energy of your email BOUNCED off my monitor and started hopping around in my flat for a while!!

I think I am aroused! Honestly, that really revitalized me!

The way you think and construct is almost exactly the same as mine when I am in a good mood, no kidding!

Lovely to read!

I will now respond, but it might take me an hour or so, maybe less...

Make sure you keep the game score and post it here or email me so I can do a good check and analysis for you...

BTW, if you surf the Net while listening to <Elvis Costello's> "Peace Love and Understanding" on an endless loop, it puts you in a really good mood.

You know, <Jess>, we should do the EMU thing at least once every two weeks - Maybe that's egotistically motivated but eh,,,, Who cares?

They happen to vitalize me/you/Lars - it just "flows"

<Elvis Costello>

Thinking back I tried to remember the song by him that had made such a deep impression on me - as did the entire live concert...

I could hear parts of it coming back slowly, because I had it on videotape and replayed it many times... But it is a long time ago- and the tape must be buried somewhere in my basement...

The music was beautiful -- classically arranged -- but it were these lines that kept me guessing what Costello actually said... But I knew I felt exactly what he meant, I thought....

But searching the net I found it quickly:

'I Want To Vanish'

"I want to vanish
This is my fondest wish
To go where I cannot be captured
Laid on a decorated dish
Even in splendor this curious fate
Is more than I care to surrender
Now it's too late

Whether in wonder or indecent haste
You arrange the mirrors and the spools
To snare the rare and precious jewels
That were only made of paste

If you should stumble upon my last remark
I'm crying in the wilderness
I'm trying my best to make it dark
How can I tell you I'm rarer than most
I'm certain as a lost dog
Pondering a sign post

Chorus

I want to vanish
This is my last request
I've given you the awful truth
Now give me my rest"

It must have been wonderful to see him "live."

Thanks for your wonderful EMU-- I was glad to hear the whole story.

I'm with you pal.

Heh- check out the latest <Kingscrusher> YouTube video- it's the last club game he played.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Z_...

He thanks me by name at the beginning for giving him feedback on his YouTube videos.

I always play through them for a few hours to warm up before playing a game on <Yahoo>.

Here is my favorite game of his on <YouTube> where he gives a very interesting example of the limitations of his "<analytical assistant>" (Rybka) in judging the true strength of the position in one of the variations he looks at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47-B...

Also, this game features a stunning Queen sac!!

It's not really a "true sac" in that by giving up his queen he wins instantly on the spot.

However, what IS "true" about this kind of sac is the ability to see what we are CONDITIONED to overlook- the idea that we could actually surrender her majesty--

I think the best chessplayers consider EVERY LEGAL MOVE at every turn, taking off thier "psychological blinders" that prevent them from seeing such a beautiful tactic-- the kind of tactic <Kingscrusher> saw in the video.

My goodness I love chess!!

I didn't play today though. I studied <Kingscrusher> videos and went for a long hike up <Biseul Mountain> with the school janitor. His name is <Woon Dong> and he is my best friend in Korea.

The fall leaves and mountain streams were sublime.

<Lars> would have loved it I bet.

He may have even pondered a few sign posts. I know I did. They were all in Korean!!

haHAHAHA.

heh.

AROOOO!

In the mean time I am gonna check out that clip...

Btw, a song like the above reaches it's fullest clarity and at the same time this wonderful mystery, when music and lyrics melt into one short symphony, without end...

[Event "?"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "2007.10.28" - or 1934!]

(I'll give the game link later..)

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 Nbd7 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Qe2 b6 9. e4 dxe4 10. Nxe4 Bb7 11. Nc3 c5 12. dxc5 Nxc5 13. Bc2 Qc7 14. Nb5 Qc6 15. Bf4 Nh5 16. Be5 f6 < this will turn out to be a crucial move by Black > 17. Bg3 e5 18. Nc3 Nxg3 19. fxg3 < !!> Ne6 20. Nd5 Qc5+ 21. Kh1 Bxd5 22. cxd5 Nc7 23. Rac1 Qd6 -- DIAGRAM

click for larger view

Now here is a forcing move for substantial advantage, but "my" engine finds it only after 20 seconds... Can you see it? I think you have seen it...

It is: 24. Nh4

Several objectives are achieved with this move, all related to the weakness of the light squares around Black's king...

24... Rf7 was played in the game -- and now find the pointe - the logical move/combination that will leave Black in ruins...

My engine found a better defense with 24... g6 -- but in essence even that is a lost position...

click for larger view

I played it out against my silicon adversary and won quite easily...

24. Nh4 g6 25. Qg4 Qb4
26. Be4 f5 27. Nxf5 Kh8 28. Nxe7 Rxf1+ 29. Rxf1 Qxe7 30. d6 Qxd6 (30... Rf8 31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Qd1 Ne6 33. h3
Nd4 34. d7 Qd8 35. Qa4 Kg7 36. Qxa7 Kf6 37. Qb7 Ke7 38. Qd5 Qxd7 39. Qxe5+ Ne6

click for larger view

40. Bd5!

Quite an easy win left... but my stupid engine does not have a clue that this position should be valued minus 249...

40... Qd6 41. Qxe6+ Qxe6 42. Bxe6 Kxe6
43. Kg1 Ke5 44. Kf2 Ke4 45. a4

Only after my a4 it realises after a few secs that Black is lost (minus 10)

45 h6 46. b4 Kd4 47. a5 1-0

So can you find the winning line(s) after 24...Rf7? (first Diagram + 24. Nh4 Rf7)

Have Fun!!

In the line that follows, I typed: < 30. d6 Qxd6 (30... Rf8 >

30...Qxd6? is obviously wrong because of Bxa8 - so the line continued with <30...Rf8> as Rybka's choice for Black - and then continuing as typed above:

31. Rxf8+ Qxf8 32. Qd1 Ne6 33. h3 Nd4 34. d7 Qd8 35. Qa4 Kg7 36. Qxa7 Kf6 37. Qb7 Ke7 38. Qd5 Qxd7 39. Qxe5+ Ne6 reaching the position seen in the last (3rd) DIAGRAM.

The kingcrusher link involving the Queen sac, was very instructive - although I didn't have to pull off the blinders, as I saw Qxe3 immediately...

Sounds cool to hear him acknowledging you right there at the start.

Here's a bit of lunacy I posted for the Team vs Sock Puppet. I thought maid Jess and her merry bandoleros might be amused.>

Here is a terribly amusing line presented for your viewing pleasure. Warning. This is not for the faint of heart. Children please leave the room.

1. d4 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6 4. c4 Bg7 5. Nc3 O-O 6. Nf3 d6 7. O-O c6 8. Qb3 Na6 9. Rd1 Kh8 10. Qa3 Nc7 11. d5 Bd7 12. Rb1 a5 13. dxc6 bxc6 14. c5 d5 15. Bf4 Ne6 16. Be5 a4 17. Nd4 Ng5 18. Nxa4 Nf7 19. Bxf6 Bxf6 20. b4 e5

click for larger view

Let the games begin.

21. Nxc6 Bxc6 22. b5 e4 23. Bxc6 Qa5 24. Rb4 Ne5 25. c7 Rfc8 26. Rxd5 Rxc7

click for larger view

Guess the next move. A drumroll please.

27. Bxe4 (obviously...NOT) Nc6 28. Rd6 fxe4 29. Rxe4 Be5 30. Re6 Qd2 31. Qf3 Qd5 32. Rxc6 Qxc6 (only down a rook...no problemo) 33. Nb6 Ba1 (couward) 34. Nxa8 Qxa8

click for larger view

Another boring d4 game.