<ajile> has volunteered to host a temporary forum. However, the other three would be good choices if they are interested. Would you like to ask them or would you prefer that I do?>

The only reason I'm hesitating is that I'm not sure what the Assistant Summerizer does. I usually spend most of my time doing deep analysis of one or 2 lines and then post my results both in the main forum and also in the specific forum designated for that line. So I summerize the line that I know well because I've been analyzing it for hours/days.

Could you be more specific as to the duties of this position and how much time is estimated to do it effectively?

Let me try to answer your question this way. Suppose it is the early middle game. The position is very complex. It is our move, and we have four playable options. One of the four has received the most attention, but the other three are reasonable alternatives. I assign a forum for each of the four playable moves.

Now, suppose you are a temporary forum host and I assign one of the forums to you. First of all, the move I assign you may or may not be your personal choice. By the percentages, most of the time, your assigned move or line will NOT be the one receiving the most attention, but sometimes it will be. The job of you and your assistant(s) will be to create a forum header that confirms to visitors that they are at the right place. If no one else is posting analysis for your line, then either you or your assistant should do so. You and your assistant(s) should also scour the main page and other previous forums for relevant posts that should be copied into your forum. For extra credit, you can summarize the analysis for your assigned move or line and place it in your forum header and / or the main page. You may also have some limited time to study the analysis of other moves being considered.

Now, suppose you are on the Summarizing Committee. This is a new concept, so I don't know exactly how it will work, but perhaps <whatthefat> decides that he and the Assistant Summarizers will take turns creating summaries. Further suppose it is your turn. It will be your job, in a fairly short period of time (24 hours?), to review the analysis for all four moves, assess the pros and cons of each, and write an objective and concise summary for the team. You will not have time for detailed analysis of your own - you will be digesting the analysis of others.

To compare the two positions, I think the job of Assistant Summarizer will be more demanding than that of forum host. However, the Assistant Summarizer gets to be exposed to ALL the relevant lines. The forum host job will be lower pressure most of the time, but also most of the time you will be working on moves and lines that are not the team's first choice.

Both jobs are very important and neccesary to the team's success.

Just taking a breather until then. My forum will be ready in no time.

My initial reaction is negative, but let me think about it.

However, I am going through a crazy-busy time at work right now, and expect to have little time to devote to the GMAN2 game for at least 2-3 months.

Fortunately, it's no great loss. My chess analysis skills don't as deep as some people seem to think. I'm always embarrassed when my moniker is mentioned in the same sentence as some others around here when people pass out credit for helping the team win.

If I were participating in the Nickel rematch, I'd be happy to accept your invitation to work with <whatthefat> and the others in the summarising committee.

But as much as I would like to renew auld acquaintance, I won't be taking part this time.

It's been a privilege working with you, <zanshin>, <whatthefat>, <Artar1> and the others. It's also been special to watch how you've picked up the primitive and ramshackle forum analysis system from GMAN1 and early GMYS and developed it into something special. Stick with your new plan, and you'll make it even better.

All of it, including butting heads with some of the Team hard heads, has been great fun.

Yes, the last item in the Job fair reads..