A glass of scotch? But I don't drink anymore hard alcohol, only wine or beer. Yes, Magnus is still up there, the best. Doing what you like...I think either Lao Tze or Confucius said something along: do what you like and you will not have to work a single day in your life. It's a long story, of course, and it's going nowhere, most of the times. Unless you don't care much for those around you.

Had a fine birthday yesterday and enjoyed the extra space as wife was on a seminar.But she is back now after a fine experience with her colleques.

It is a little springlike,but also greyish and wet.

All is well and how about you ?

Yes, I believe it was just one of those bad tournaments for Anand, and age could have an influence too, but it's also possible that in a month or two he will make another 20 points jump and "surprise" people around.

Thanks for your birthdaywishes.It was as mentioned a good day and 63 is not that bad ;)And your birthday is somewhere in June,or ?

I am really looking forward to the Candidates starting the 10th(or 11th) next month with IMO a very even field. But before that Caissa has placed "Zürich Chess Challenge" with several of the candidates,but also ´with the participation of Kramnik who I miss in the Moscow field.So may be he will play more freely and make a sligth surprise !?

Here things are all in all fine,but the weather is becomming a bit tiresome to me.Like television broadcasting the same, the same,old recycled stuff over and over.May it be Winter the classic way or real springtime,please:) (Yeah,I know it is only February).

Hope all the best for you.Any news about your brother in law ?

Take care and see you around.

The scan for my brother in law showed nothing wrong and he is out of hospital since quite a few days, thanks for asking. In the mean time, my father in law had a light comotion and was hospitalised, but he is alright now.

Yes, Zurich and the Candidates coming up, good to hear it :) As about my birthday, it's on May 27.

Tiresome weather, huh? Well, I guess it's all due to the Atlantic proximity, it brings both good and bad. TV broadcast I think it's about the same everywhere - a lot of rubbish just to fill the needed requirements for rating, commercials or whatever reason. Fortunately, there are some programs (few though) that sometimes give some interesting programs - for example some documentariea on Viasat History channel, and there may be others too. Also some good movies from time to time, especially on Cinemax channels. At least for us, anyway it's much better compared to what the tv broadcast looked like in the times of Ceausescu.

Sorry for not keeping pace,but I have been a bit occupied the last two days.E.g.with the second visit to my new accupuncturist(?)yesterday.He occurs like a very plesant guy and I have this basic feeling that I can tell him "everything" and he understands or at least recieves it in a good way.But if he can cure (at least some off)my dizziness is still a very open question.

Good to hear that your brother in law is out of hospital.And I hope for him that he can quit the cigarettes,which can be a real hard task,as you probably are very aware of.But usually it is never too late and it is surprisingly how quickly the smelling sense and other senses come back.

We were quite a lot here in DK who cheered when Ceaucescu(s)were excecuted and felt a lot of solidarite with your country....(I think one cartoonist called him CIAOcescu:)But yeah a lot of rubbish on the channels,also (unfortunately)for the reasons you mentioned.We can take something like 45 and hence are able to find something interesting much of the time.BBC is one of the best in our package.Can you take it ?

And now Zürich tomorrow.Kind of mixture between rapid and classical,mixed with blitz.Especially interesting it will be, to see how the 4 candidates will fare.And perhaps they will go all in with the new timecontrol,not fearing to reveal too much about their preparation !?

Well,time flies dear virgin.It almost feels like I say have a nice weekend every second day to you.But I mean it never the less and I am still young enough to know : it is still and "only" thursday" ;)

so you still have no idea what could be the reason for your dizziness, hm...I wonder what kind of feeling/condition is this that you have, I mean, is it just like when you're drunk or it's a special dizziness? Is it more difficult to deal with, more bothersome? Or it's a light sensation and it goes away rather quicly? Does it go away by itself, you do you have to do something - like taking a pill or whatever?

Brother in law started smoking the day he got out of the hospital. Also he doesn't seem to want/be able to eat less salty food - which is not good for his blood pressure. Not much I can do about it, although I did try a few times to convince him, but to no avail. He's 58.

I don't think we have BBC anymore on our cable pacckage, although there were at lest 2 channels a few years ago, don't know why they took them out. But the provider does compensate qith quite a generous choice of other, foreign channels, in addition to the Romanian ones. I don't know, it's relaxing/fun from time to time to spend one or 2 hours, but I wouldn't waste more on it. I prefer the internet, books, music, whatever. What about you?

Big chess starting up tomorrow, but it remains to be seen how much time I can afford to spend watching the games. I sure hope the players are gonna give the usual thrill to the kibitzers though :)

Correction : It seems like they first start in Zürick on saturday.Perhaps this will give you more time to watch !?..

My new accupunturist sense there is some inbalance in my pleen(I think it is called)causing too much liguid in the upper part of my body-the head as well,so he will try to work from there. And yes I dont know what causes it and it is almost impossible to describe in Danish.It is like something is hindering my bodymovements as e.g. it is more difficult to put on my clothes and all other movements alike,of which there are a lot a lot ,during the day.Finding the keys in the pocket and so on.I am not dizzy like drunkenness or after a ride in the carrusell.I can sit on a chair without and feel almost 100% "normal" and watching tele(or chess;)is great and it is close to being without any symptons.Take a walk is also all right,perhaps because it is a lot of repetition in movements.
No medicine pills or whatever.So I try to live with it and do find life very amusing and my basicconditions very privelledged..But I would love to get rid of it,but trying to face the possibilite that it is a lifelong thing.

Sorry about your brother in law.But if you have done your best...A smoker shall be determined to stop,otherwise it(usually) doesn´t work).One tip could be to smoke homerolled real virginia tobacco which is less poisend with chemicals and the like !?And tastes better;just ask yours truly ;)

Thanks for asking.I hope it gives you an idea and it may even be kind of helpfull to myself trying to put words on it.Something I have done almost in vain for 1o years.And in danish I am usually not lost behind a dictionary :)

It does sound like an odd condition , the one you're describing. But like you said, it's good that you've managed to somehow got used to it, or at least learned to tollerate it. When I used to have periods of dizziness (those related to MS) they were mostly simmilar to the condition we all experience from time to time (out of drunkness or whatever), but without any other symptom. I used to have it both while walking and staying still. I also remember it had a (bad) impact on my chess playing abilities - worse concentration. So just like a drunkeness state.

Thanks and it still is ! Hope you have time for Zürich which starts in a few minuttes.And great to see the tiger in his best shape.We dont want the youngsters to take it all !?

I like the format but hope and think that there always will be room for the classical.

The idea behind virginia was meant for your brother in law,instead of smoking tobacco filled with chemicals as many smoker all over the world do.

Of course, Virginia tobacco for my brother in law, I was joking with me trying a bit of it, it would be a grave error to restart now what I've managed to quit some 25 years ago. But I'm not sure he would like this type of smoking, considering it takes time to roll each cigarette (or filling a pipe, if the case may be. However, my other brother in law - who lives near Paris - only smokes his own rolled cigarettes, since some 20 years to my knowledge, and he indeed takes pleasure from the habit of rolling them. Unfortunately, he smokes a lot and also drinks a huge amount of coffee. Actually, the last daily portion of coffee he takes it before going to bed at night - and it doesnt affect his sleep, apparently. I've also told him time and again to quit smoking, but he wouldn't listen.

Unusual warm period here, with temperatures that have been announced as the highest in 55 years, around 22 degrees Celsius. All the more strange as, last month, we had - 29 degrees. Living between extremes, we might need to get used to it.

Just a short notice,I am a little busy,preparing for needless ;)And good to hear from you again ! Had a reallly good day yesterday with less dizzyness and all in the old body in fine shape so went to the hairdresser much earlier than usual and had some fine pints with a frien who accidentally also had a haircut :)as after having tried to solve some of the problems in the World, returned just in time to make a good fisdish(not a real word I guess:)and finished with Paris vs Chelsea and kissing wife goodnight after a long and different day.

Noteworthy that you have so high degrees.I have always preferred spring to arrive in the classic way and preferreable not with a bang,but as you say we better try to coope with it. But I recall you as someone who like it sunny and hot,nest pas !?

The cicuit in Zürich has moved on and hats of to Naka and Vishy who were co winners in my book.Especially good to see the veterans little(?) come back which will change the evaluation of his chances in the upcomming candidates.

I hope all the best for you and may you have a fine day !

So you preparea a fishdish :) What sort of fish was it? Did you cook it in the oven, or roast on a pan?

Yes, I generally prefer it warmer, so I can safely say that this winter was alright to me :) It still is. Some mild rain yesterday. Today somewhat closer to the normal of the month (3-7 degrees), but starting tomorrow the 15-20 degree temperatures will be back. What will this world become? :)

The doctor with the needles treated me fine ;),but if it works for/against my dizzyness time will tell.Still 3 visits(at least)more.The fish was kind of flatwish with a sweet taste and firm meat that is a danish speciality.Called a "rødspætte" in danish.Guess you would love it too !And the Paris match was fine. 4 out of 6 balls in my book.Two evenly matched teams with a deserved victory in the end pour les parisiens.

All is well here.Even the weather seams to be heading for a period with some sunshine.Kind of pre,pre spring ?

< What will this world become? :)> Yeah that is the eternal question.Which sometimes make it more difficult to enjoy warmer temperatures as they could well be a sign of global warming...But on the other hand:I refuse to be bullied with too many "what if"´s..As you also mention in your bio about making plans for tomorrow.

So a good day in sight and how about you ? How was your weekend ?

I am really looking forward to the candidates...but now is now and I´ll leave you,but only for now ;)

I do not have a clearcut favourite; while I believe it would be foolish to count out the old lion Anand, the toughest part of winning could be getting to the top of the mountain again.

'Old lion'! Ha ha ha! He is more than nine years younger than your humble poster.

You and <virginmind> wrote of very warm temperatures where you live. Here, there has been much variance, though the winter has been much warmer than normal overall. Believe the last numbers I saw had February at 4.2 degrees F above average, though that is nothing like December was--the warmest ever (+13.4 F).

It is an extremely even field we have as you also indicate,so basically no one can be ruled out.But your question coincides with my considerations during the last week,so here we go:

Caruana and Karjakin are my first choices.Though the russians results lately haven´t been convincing he may benefit from:hometurf,stamina and experience and a strong nervesystem for the last crucial rounds.Caruana has the also stacked up experience and has this imo x-factor, besides his enormous playingskills of course.He seems to play like a machine and "just" continues after a loss and still going for the jugular.Then we have Nakamura who has matured a lot and play(as far as I can judge)more economically.In the same category I´ll put Aronian,who can play the most divine chess,but is sometimes failed by his emotions(IMHO)and may be depending on a good start.His narrow opening repetoire may also be an issue. Group 3 : Anand !,who I´ll never rule out.We all now his skills and he know what it takes and gives the impression that he still has a burning desire(Oh my,why did´nt he take on e5 !?).He is definately the joker in this pack.Giri next.But not this time.Probably too young and his form lately is declining and playing for not to lose is not good enough in Moscow.But I am shure he thinks different:)And last the veterans Svidler and Topalov which I would love to see top the table,but I dont think they would have a chance against Magnus.But I am shure they both have the desire and especially Topa will set his mark on the tournament.Topa may be over the hill and too flamboyant on the board and Svidler has something in his nervous system je nais sait qoit and perhaps lack of belief in his alphapower !?

So translated to odds it could be something like this:

Caruana: 3.8
Karjakin: 5.0
Nakamura: 7.0
Aronian : 7.0
Anand : 12.0
Giri : 14.0
Svidler : 22.0
Topalov : 25.0

Personally I hope for Aronian who is an interesting person,on and off the board and who,along with Caruana may be the only one who have a fair chance against the monster from Norway.

And you ? What are your estimates ? And/or do you have some personal favourites ?

Actually we also had much variance in the last say 3 months.It smells like some global warming,but I hope otherwise and enjoy e.g. today which is clearly a kind of "spring light".

Thanks for stopping by and all the best!

Hi <moronovich> and <perfidious>, Caruana hasn't got enough stamina, and karjaking has been too unstable in the last years. Nakamura? He does have a chance, but I don't know...he still lacks something for now. Aronian also with unstable results, I would be surprised to see him qualified. Anand, hm...just looking at how he shed 22 Elo points last month makes me wonder of his real chances - then again, who would have seen him qualifying to play Carlsen for the world title last year? In my view, a very light chance for him to win the candidates, but chance there is. Giri, hm, he apparently shows some arrogance from time to time, maybe it's not with intent, and of course this shouldn't affect his level of play - or does it? Well, for some reason I dont see him winning the tournament. So that brings us to Topalov, who I dont think has a chance to get to play Carlsen, and Svidler who, as much as I find him a nice guy, really doesnt come across as someone to win this pack.

Interesting to hear your view(s) upon the candidates which may arrive faster than we think...:)2 weeks from now it is.

Likewise with the weekend(s).
Here everything is fine,even the weather with light frosty nights and sunny days which is also much appreciated from the birds who are making a warmup for the real spring.

Did you btw know that midapril-somewhere in may is the period with the most suicides ? At least here in DK,but I think it goes for the rest of Europe.

Take care,enjoy and say hello to your wife from me s.v.p.

Suicide? I don't know, I've once published a short novel which ends with an attepted suicide by the main character. Yeah, spring is supposed to be tricky for the nervous system, they say, and consequently an increased number in suicides. If/when one feels that, by all means, enough is enough, sure, why not? Why living in pain and desperation? Just put an end to it all.

Of course, problems may arise: other people will suffer (family, friends), or you may discover that afterlife is not that simple, it's not just the end and that's it, like you've just pulled out the plug and nothing anymore whatsoever. Complications like - depending on the amount of bad deeds in your life - devils, eternal suffering and whatnot. But this is just a (small, if you ask me) possibility, you can never know, it may very well indeed be just that - nothing. Which includes no more suffering.

On a brighter note, the candidates are getting closer and this is so cool...Other than that (and the usual thoughts of job quitting and life changing and stuff) nothing notable in my area :)

Yes, the candisates are THE chessevent,bedside from the WC match,to follow.And now one week plus a couple of days.Do you also experience that time travels much faster the older you become ? That definaetely goes for yours truly and his friends and relatives.

I do sincerely hope that yoy will (re)find more satisfaction in your profession or change direction,or....in any way make the the best possible choice.Sometimes a (night)dream can be of help.

It is felt now that spring is comming closer and though the frost of the night is still here the days are getting longer and longer and brighter ¤ .

And thanks for your wifes greetings !
Today I am bit lesser Dizzy,so perhaps the magic needles already works(knock wood:),but too early to tell.

Take care and see you around !

Of course something will come out of my mind, I mean a decision, and for now it's somewhat done - I will continue with my life as such. Until, of course, something else happens. Will keep you tuned.

Am glad you feel better and dizziness is less bothersome. Get as much happiness and pleasant moments from life as possible!