I feel your pain. (I did not play chess with that woman!)

The bitter pill is guaranteed to help what ails you. As painful as it is, you need to go over your games.

First do it without an engine running. Take notes about where you OR your opponent could have done better.

How well was the opening played? Make a note of places where you have questions or are confused. For me, that means a lot of notes.

After this "dry run", subject the game to the rigors of the engine. Try to use it to answer your notes. Also look for places where you probably should have taken a note.

This takes a lot of time, I know, but there is no substitute for hard work in chess.

I agree with you that the rapid game format was of rather questionable value, and the blitz, well, that was just a bad joke.

A mere 2 sec increment on the blitz was not even enough for Karpov to convert completely winning positions

like in this game

Karpov vs Kasparov, 2009

My instinct tells me that Kasparov insisted on including the blitz because he knew that was where his advantage would be greatest. It just seems rather unfair to force a 58 year old to perform under those conditions, Kasparov was going to win anyway, he didn't need the blitz.

What do you think of the parallels here between Fischer and Spassky '92? Why is it that the two greatest players of their day, after retiring, have both come out to play once again with their old nemeses?

Maybe it helps them feel more in control.

Tons of it. Specially the first two against <Tal>:

Yes, <Dr. Euwe> and <The Cat in the Hat> are correct.

Bombs away!!

Also, speaking of "chess friendly houses"- you would do well to visit <achieve>'s forum, which is actually called <The Dr. Max Euwe Center>.

You might also notice his avatar is a photograph of <Dr. Max Euwe>.

That's because he is <Dr. Max Euwe>.

Both of you were World Champion-

Yes, it's time again for another exciting preview of the grand appearance of <Mack n' Dom> at the 5000th <Galway 'get orf my land' Chess Congress> in Ireland, Europe.

We wish the best for our warriors- who are sometimes known as <Mick n' Pom> in an affectionate derogotory-name "reversal."

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A: THE VENUE: Galway is world renowned, not only for its Medieval charm, but also for its enlightened "eco-friendly" city planners. Here is their masterpiece- the teeming Galway Central Business District (now with public loos):

http://optics.nuigalway.ie/pictures...

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B: OPENING CEREMONIES: Although "chess" is the watchword at this historic tournament, the opening ceremonies pay homage to more traditional Irish sports. The festivities open with the players participating in the ancient pastime of <Whack-a-Faerie>, in which the combatants race about the pitch pounding the heads of Faeries back into the ground.

Here is an exciting shot of <Mack n' Dom> participating in last year's action- (That's Dom in front and Mack behind)-

http://www.kennys.ie/News/OldGalway...

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C: PLAYERS' QUARTERS: Here is the magnificent <Salthill Hotel and Baths>, which was constructed in 55 B.C. as a mistletoe factory for local Druids. A close examination of this structure- well OK even a quick glance at this structure- will reveal that it is still used as a mistletoe factory.

Does this mean that <Mack n' Dom> will be forced to kiss each other every time they bump in to each other in the Hotel?

Yes, it does.

Here is a photo (this is a real photograph of Salthill, Galway) of these so august QUARTERS:

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/...

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D. THE PLAYING HALL:

The rustic simplicity of the "Stoat and Badger Room" of Urquhart Castle is renowned throughout Old World chess circles. This Hall features a quiet, genteel atmosphere to delight player and spectator alike. The gallery particularly enjoys watching the players scramble for the legendary, and coveted, "Part With the Rock Over Your Head" section of the Hall when it rains.

http://www.walesdirectory.co.uk/tou...

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E: THE COMBATANTS: This year the field is expected to be dominated by the 14 year old "wunderbear" <GM Teddy Bear's Picnic>, who shocked the Irish chess world this season when he garnered his last Grandmaster Norm by pounding the perrenial Irish Champion <GM Stig O' Grady>, who had held the National Title since Christ was a corporal. Here is <GM Picnic> sporting traditional Irish garb- and he is, obviously, the "Great Green Hope" in the next World Jr. Chess Championships as well-

http://images.vtbear.com/linkshare/...

Here is a candid shot of English invader <mack>, in which he brazenly employs an archaic form of Visual Pommie Slang in order to indicate the square <c-3>, a nod to the <Sicilian Alapin>, his weapon of choice with the White pieces:

http://geekfitters.com/images/chess...

<Dom Daniel> may be 73 years old, but he augments his chess training with a vigorous regimen of physical activity that keeps him "fighting trim," as this recent photo attests:

http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/fame...

How does he do it, you might ask? Well here's a clue- a candid photo of <Dom's> seconds in battle against each other. <Dom's> tournament prep normally involves hours of "hard" study consisting of simply watching these two more than able assistants do battle over the board, clad only in sombre traditional Irish dress:

Here is the official website-

I Rogers vs T Tao, 2004

heh "Loose Woman"

Position after

<18...Rd8-b8?>

You can't just leave the Queen "loose" like this- especially when she's being <x-rayed> on BOTH the <d-file> and the <a4-e8 Diagonal>...

click for larger view

She is punished immediately by

<19.Nxd5!!!!>

click for larger view

Immediate threat is <20.Nb6+> winning the "loose Queen"

Black can't refuse the Knight sac either because the Queen is overloaded here now guarding both the <e-7> and the <c-6> square- so Black must take the offered steed:

<19...exd5>

click for larger view

And now

<20.e6!>

click for larger view

Immediate threat now is <21.Ne5!> which guarantees White the immediate return of the sacced material plus a winning initiative- due to the VICIOUS PIN of the White Knight on the <c-6> square- The "Loose Queen" ensures the imminent collapse of Black's position.

Moral of the story is as old as <King Arthur>-

i.e. the <call is coming from inside the house>

You realize that if Dom *does* wander out of <Frogspawn> and reads the posts we've made here and at your house, he will *really* be scared.

Just in time for

HALLOWEEN

whHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Of course, I posted it on a Live Games page...

But I did get away with it the first time remember?

I don't think they used to monitor the Live Games Pages before.