Word Counts

Thank you to author Rhian Ellis for the motivationation to maximize my writing by maintaing a log similar to my exercise log. Go here to see the source of my inspiration.

14 Nov 2008 still at it
13 Nov 2008 1157 words today total: 7,527
12 Nov 2008 251 words today total: 6,369
11 Nov 2008 0 words today rested
10 Nov 2008 867 words today total: 6,118
9 Nov 2008 1,230 words today total: 5,251
8 Nov 2008 0 Oregon State Library
7 Nov 2008 0 Date night with my wife
6 Nov 2008 0 Forrest Gump/Winston Groom
5 Nov 2008 0 Congratulations President-elect Obama
4 Nov 2008 0 total: 4,021, avg 1,005 per day
3 Nov 2008 808 words today total: 4,021 Happy 23rd Birthday to my daughter Danielle!
2 Nov 2008 3,213 words today Chapter 7; Congrats Kara Goucher: 3rd place in NYC marathon (her first 26.2)...also to her coach Alberto Salazar
1 Nov 0 Seattle/Castle Rock

Exercise Log - Fall 2008

"Beaver Creek Bridge", on the campus of Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR (2008). Photo taken by Frank Niro. Signed copies, matted and framed, are available from the photographer. Proceeds will be donated to The Geezer Gallery, Portland, OR. Contact: ChessSafari@yahoo.com for more information.

Note: Recent changes in my medications have made it difficult to exercise vigorously, but I do what I can and hope that things will get better soon.

Clackamas C.C.

Sep 01, 2008 (224) 36:08
Sep 02, 2008 (223) 38:44
Sep 03, 2008 (224) 36:40
Sep 05, 2008 (222) 35:07
Sep 07, 2008 (222) 27:09
Sep 08, 2008 (221) 47:40
Sep 09, 2008 (220) 28:39

O.C. Promenade

Sep 16, 2008 (221) 14:33Oregon City Promenade, September 2008
Time out 9/17/08 to 10/17/08 due to injury

Clackamas River Park

Oct 18, 2008 (224) 14:35 14:53 29:28 (4:48)
Oct 20, 2008 (223) 14:25 14:32 28:57 (4:41)
Oct 22, 2008 (222) 14:00 14:45 28:45 (4:35)
Oct 24, 2008 (223) 14:37 14:44 29:21 (4:50)
Oct 26, 2008 (222) 14:33 14:08 28:41 (4:30)
Oct 28, 2008 (222) 14:11 14:18 28:29 (4:32)

Nov 02, 2008 (221) 13:58 14:27 28:25 (4:34)
Nov 03, 2008 (220) 3M NTT
Nov 05, 2008 (220) 2M NTT

[TIME OFF -- INJURED]

Best Times:
f 1/3 split
4:26 Jul 17, 2008
4:30 Jul 19, 2008
4:30 Oct 26, 2008
4:32 Oct 28, 2008
4:33 May 10, 2007
4:34 Nov 02, 2008
4:35 May 29, 2008
4:35 Jul 13, 2008
4:35 Oct 22, 2008
4:38 Mar 18, 2008
4:39 Jun 09, 2008
4:39 Jun 30, 2008
4:39 Jul 16, 2008
4:40 Mar 22, 2008
4:40 Jul 11, 2008

1M lap
13:47 May 10, 2007
13:51 Jul 13, 2008
13:53 Jul 17, 2008
13:55 Jul 19, 2008
13:58 Nov 02, 2008
13:59 Jul 17, 2008
14:00 Oct 22, 2008
14:02 Jun 09, 2008
14:02 Jun 22, 2008
14:03 Jul 16, 2008
14:06 Mar 22, 2008
14:07 Jul 19, 2008
14:08 Oct 26, 2008
14:11 Mar 24, 2008
14:11 Jun 25, 2008
14:11 Jun 27, 2008
14:11 Oct 28, 2008
14:13 May 05, 2007
14:17 Jun 30, 2008
14:18 Oct 28, 2008
14:18 Jul 03, 2008
14:22 Jul 11, 2008
14:24 Mar 24, 2008
14:25 Oct 20, 2008

2M loop
1. 27:52 Jul 17, 2008
2. 28:02 Jul 19, 2008
3. 28:10 Jul 13, 2008
4. 28:24 May 10, 2007
5. 28:25 Nov 02, 2008
6. 28:29 Oct 28, 2008
7. 28:35 Mar 24, 2008
8. 28:41 Oct 26, 2008
9. 28:42 Jun 09, 2008
10. 28:44 Jun 27, 2008
11. 28:45 May 05, 2007
12. 28:45 Oct 22, 2008
13. 28:50 Jul 11, 2008
14. 28:52 Jul 16, 2008
15. 28:54 Jul 03, 2008
16. 28:57 Mar 22, 2008
17. 28:57 Oct 20, 2008
18. 29:01 Jun 29, 2008
19. 29:01 Aug 18, 2008
20. 29:04 Jun 22, 2008
21. 29:06 May 29, 2008
22. 29:21 Oct 24, 2008
23. 29:22 Mar 18, 2008
24. 29:24 Jul 01, 2008
25. 29:28 Oct 18, 2008

3M best
43:37 May 10, 2007 (13:47-14:37-15:13); 4:37, 4:37, 4:33

recap (top 3 + W)
May 10, 2007 4:33, 9:10, 13:47, 18:40, 23:30, 28:24
Jul 13, 2008 4:54, 9:37, 14:12, 18:49, 23:28, 28:10
Jul 17, 2008 4:37, 9:13, 13:59, 18:45, 23:26, 27:52
(W)Jul 19, 2008 4:43 9:25 13:55 18:37, 23:19, 28:02

most recent:
Nov 02, 2008 4:42, 9:24, 13:58, 18:44, 23:32, 28:25

Chess Combination: SOLUTION

This is the solution to the position posted in my main blog on September 2. Click here to go back.

White to move. The features that stand out are the absolute pin on black's pawn at g6, the potential pin against the black queen on the same diagonal as its king, black's vulnerable 7th rank, and the fact that the pinned pawn is attacked and defended 3 times so that removing a guard from g6 will lead to the win of material (the same point is true of the pawn on f5, which turns out to be the key to the solution).

White plays: 1.Rxd4!

"The forcing, violent move - a capture - initiates action on the long diagonal." -- Reinfeld

1...exd4

This move is forced. Otherwise Black will remain a rook behind. The next move is the tougher one to see.


2.Bxd4!

The Pin. The queen screens the king from attack but cannot move away.


2...Qxd4

The capture of the white bishop is forced, setting the stage for the decisive knight-forking check.


3.Nxf5+

"This forcing violent knight-forking check wins black's queen because the king knight pawn is pinned..." -- Reinfeld

SOURCE -- The Secret of Tactical Chess: A Manual of Chess Victory by Fred Reinfeld (1958), Collier Books (1973), softcover, diagram 85, page 129.
The themes are pin and knight fork (double attack). This was one of the first books on chess tactics that I studied. It was republished by Collier during the Fischer-Spassky boom in Great Britain and the United States. Note the cover price of $2.45. The same book would be released at ten times that much today.

Exhibits for Mile 3 (So many colors...)

Following are some exhibits supporting the third chapter of my book, "So many Colors in the Rainbow". Note that the sequence of the chapters may ultimately change. You can enlarge any of the exhibits by clicking on them.

Here's the link to the latest draft: http://twchesssafari.blogspot.com/2008/08/mile-3-so-many-colors-in-rainbow.html

Map of Windsor Locks CT

CLICK ON MAP TO ENLARGE...
Map of Windsor Locks CT. Look for the dot and arrow to locate the spot of my December 22, 1967 accident.

To read more about the Spot, go here: http://twchesssafari.blogspot.com/2006/12/everything-that-comes-before.html

Pitch for my Book

Here's the pitch...

My book is a collection of mini-biographies, travelogues and adventure tales that are interwoven through the perspective of one person’s life events. Since suffering a stroke in 1997, I have had limited time to be with my growing children, especially my youngest son, Hunter, who was born less than ten months after my stroke. So I started writing a series of letters to Hunter when he was six years old. Subsequently, these letters have taken on a life of their own. Hence, this book...

They begin with my accident, at age 19, when I was hit by a drunk driver while training for the 1968 Boston Marathon. After two years in the hospital, and seven years with braces on my legs, I worked my way up from patient to hospital CEO. I was eventually recognized as one of the top 25 turnaround hospital administrators in the U.S.

A stroke at age 48 changed my life again, bringing me back to college and to a volunteer stint as head of the United States Chess Federation. My doctor thought the position would represent semi-retirement, whereas it was intensely stressful and nearly caused my demise. With the help of friends, I gradually rearranged my priorities and found time to reflect on the issues and events found in the letters to my son. No doubt they will serve as a revelation to some and inspiration to others.

Here's the Plot outline...

On the Friday before Christmas in 1967, a drunken driver smashed into a 19-year-old college student, crushing his Olympic dreams, and leaving him in a jumble of broken bones on the side of the road. Two years and 18 operations later, the young man rode his wheelchair back to college where he pursued a new dream: becoming a hospital administrator. Motivated by a desire to make the health care system better, he earned the credentials necessary to achieve that dream. At age 40, he was recognized as on of the “Top 25 turnaround hospital CEO’s in America” by Healthweek Magazine.

Meanwhile, he assuaged his competitive instincts by playing chess, eventually devolving into the “Black and White Jungle”, a world dominated by out-of-control egos and petty, yet intense, politics. If you have heard of Bobby Fischer, Deep Blue or the theatrical production, Chess, then you have seen the tip of the iceberg of an intriguing subculture.

Throughout his journey, he was introduced to fascinating people, some famous and some unknown, who impacted his life in a profound way. He traveled all over the United States and far away places such as India and Argentina.

In 1997, he fell victim to what is known as “Economy Class Syndrome” (ECS), when a blood clot formed in his left leg during a long airplane flight and found its way to his brain causing a debilitating stroke. Once again on the sidelines, he returned to college to study the relationship between the game of chess and childhood development, and the relationship of mental exercise to Alzheimer’s disease. His discoveries in these three areas: ECS, Chess for kids and Alzheimer’s could be made, by themselves, into a worthwhile book.

One of the people he met along the way was a young radio personality in Boston by the name of Delilah. In the process of developing a life-long friendship, he helped her form a non-profit foundation called “PointHope”, a voice for forgotten children.

After suffering another physical setback in 2003, he began writing a series of letters to his six-year-old son. They were stories a father might tell his children about family, friends, issues, situations and places (together with life’s important lessons). The stories were intended to be of interest and value to the author’s children as they grow older, whether or not he will be present to answer their probing questions. In all honesty, they were not written (at least not the early chapters) with the intention of becoming a book.

Yet, with the initial encouragement of his son’s mother who was touched in a significant way (her words) when reading these stories to him, followed by the continuing motivation of Delilah (now syndicated on nearly 300 radio stations with 9 million listeners) and the gentle prodding of the author’s new wife, Natasha (Delilah’s best friend since 4th grade), it is time for these stories to be told.

Perhaps, others will find these stories worthwhile or, at least, entertaining. If neither of these, then maybe they will provide some illumination concerning the human condition (and an occasional good laugh, I promise). For those willing to come along for the journey, surprises lie ahead!

More details to come. Please come back later. And thanks for your interest.

What's the best move?

White to move.

Position is after 31...exf3+. The game is between F. Niro & D. Gregoryev, Eastern Open, Washington D.C., 1996.

Your choices are:
a. gxf3
b. Kxf3
c. other

Answer and analysis:
Best is b. 32.Kxf3 with a dead draw after 32...h5 33.Kf4 g6 34.h3 Re7 35.Kg5 Kf7 36.g4 (1/2-1/2).

a. 32.gxf3? loses after 32...Re7+. For example, 33.Kd3 g5 34.Ra2 Kf7 35.Kc3 h5 36.Kb4 g4 37.fxg4 hxg4 38.Rc2 f4 39.Rg2 f3 40.Rxg4 f2 41.Rf4+ Ke8, etc. (0-1)

c. Any other move will lose because once the king steps aside, White has the choice of f2 or fxg2. One or the other will win easily in every situation.

This will be the post for solutions of all future "What's the best move?" positions from my main blog.

Exercise Log - Summer 2008

Clackamas River Park

*****Date*******Wgt**L1**L2**TIME*fs**as
May 27, 2008 PM 207 14:44 14:57 29:41 4:52 4:57
May 28, 2008 AM 206 14:36 14:53 29:29 4:44 4:55
May 29, 2008 PM 206 14:39 14:27 29:06 4:35 4:51
May 31, 2008 MD 206 15:26

Jun 01, 2008 PM 206 15:32 15:45 31:17
Jun 08, 2008 MD 208 15:02 14:33 29:35 4:42 4:56
Jun 09, 2008 PM 209 14:02 14:40 28:42 4:39 4:47
Jun 11, 2008 PM 209 15:02 15:36 30:38 4:58
Jun 22, 2008 PM 210 14:22 14:42 29:04 4:47 4:51 (W)
Jun 25, 2008 PM 211 14:11 15:29 29:40 4:43 4:57 (W)
Jun 27, 2008 MD 210 14:11 14:33 28:44 4:41 4:47 (W)
Jun 28, 2008 AM 211 15:17 15:36 30:53
Jun 29, 2008 AM 212 14:28 14:33 29:01 4:43 4:51
Jun 30, 2008 AM 213 14:17 (4:39)

Jul 01, 2008 AM 212 14:32 14:52 29:24 4:47 4:54
Jul 03, 2008 MD 212 14:18 14:36 28:54 4:43 4:49
Jul 04, 2008 MD 213 15:47
Jul 09, 2008 AM 213 15:03 15:26 30:29 4:59
Jul 11, 2008 PM 214 14:22 14:28 28:50 4:40 4:49
Jul 13, 2008 AM 213 14:12 13:58 28:10 4:35 4:42 {13:51}
Jul 16, 2008 AM 213 14:03 14:49 28:52 4:39 4:49
Jul 17, 2008 PM 213 13:59 13:53 27:52 4:26 4:39
Jul 19, 2008 PM 213 13:55 14:07 28:02 4:30 4:41 (W)
Jul 20, 2008 PM 212 14:46 14:51 29:37 4:50 4:57

[layoff and weight gain after change in Thyroid medication]

Aug 14, 2008 PM 219 15:06 4:57
Aug 18, 2008 MD 219 14:31 14:30 29:01 4:47 4:51
Aug 19, 2008 AM 220 15:14

Intervals
a - 160y (fx*11)
b - 200y (fx*8.8)
c - 320y (fx*5.5)
d - 400y (fx*4.4)

Best Times:
f 1/3 split
4:26 Jul 17, 2008
4:30 Jul 19, 2008
4:33 May 10, 2007
4:35 May 29, 2008
4:35 Jul 13, 2008
4:38 Mar 18, 2008
4:39 Jun 09, 2008
4:39 Jun 30, 2008
4:39 Jul 16, 2008
4:40 Mar 22, 2008
4:40 Jul 11, 2008
4:41 May 05, 2007
4:41 Jun 27, 2008
4:42 Feb 14, 2008
4:42 Mar 24, 2008
4:42 Jun 08, 2008
4:43 Jun 25, 2008
4:43 Jun 29, 2008
4:43 Jul 03, 2008

1M lap
13:47 May 10, 2007
13:51 Jul 13, 2008
13:53 Jul 17, 2008
13:55 Jul 19, 2008
13:59 Jul 17, 2008
14:02 Jun 09, 2008
14:02 Jun 22, 2008
14:03 Jul 16, 2008
14:06 Mar 22, 2008
14:07 Jul 19, 2008
14:11 Mar 24, 2008
14:11 Jun 25, 2008
14:11 Jun 27, 2008
14:13 May 05, 2007
14:17 Jun 30, 2008
14:18 Jul 03, 2008
14:22 Jul 11, 2008
14:24 Mar 24, 2008
14:27 May 29, 2008

2M loop
27:52 Jul 17, 2008
28:02 Jul 19, 2008
28:10 Jul 13, 2008
28:24 May 10, 2007
28:35 Mar 24, 2008
28:42 Jun 09, 2008
28:44 Jun 27, 2008
28:45 May 05, 2007
28:50 Jul 11, 2008
28:52 Jul 16, 2008
28:54 Jul 03, 2008
28:57 Mar 22, 2008
29:01 Jun 29, 2008
29:01 Aug 18, 2008
29:04 Jun 22, 2008
29:06 May 29, 2008
29:22 Mar 18, 2008
29:24 Jul 01, 2008
29:29 May 28, 2008
29:31 Feb 14, 2008

3M best
43:37 May 10, 2007 (13:47-14:37-15:13); 4:37, 4:37, 4:33

recap (top 3 + W)
May 10, 2007 4:33, 9:10, 13:47, 18:40, 23:30, 28:24
July 13, 2008 4:54, 9:37, 14:12, 18:49, 23:28, 28:10
July 17, 2008 4:37, 9:13, 13:59, 18:45, 23:26, 27:52
(W) Jul 19, 2008 4:43 9:25 13:55 18:37, 23:19, 28:02

Chess Study Notes - various openings

Sicilian Defense - Accelerated Dragon - Maroczy Bind (as White)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.c4 Nf6 (5..Bg7 = separate analysis 6.Be3) 6.Nc3 d6! 7. Be2 (7.Be3? Ng4!) 7...Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Bg5 0-0 10.Qd2 a6?! (10...Be6) 11.f3 Be6 12.Rc1 Rc8 13.b3 b5!? 14.cxb5 axb5 15.Nxb5 Rxc1+ 16.Qxc1 Qa5+ 17.Qd2 Ra8! 18.a3 Bxb3 19.Qxa5 Rxa5 20.0-0 Ba4 21.Rb1 (Recommendations courtesy of Jeremy Silman, 2001).

Garner vs. Schroeder, corr. CCLA 1950 (4 Knights/Ruy) 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 nc6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bb5 d6 5.d4 exd4 6.Nxd4 Bd7 7.Bxc6 bxc6 8.Qf3 Bg4 9.Qg3 Qd7 10.h3 h5 11.0-0 Bg6 12.e5 Nd5 13.Nxd5 cxd5 14.Re1 Be7 15.e6 Qc8 16.exf7+ Kxf7 17.Qf3+ Bf6 18.Qxd5+ 1-0.
CCLA on the Internet