connoisseur series500

as witnessed by the quote on your signature, Aloc?

Sure, I'm feeling great. But I'm happy that I am once again over 2000 rating points. I fell below that mark for eight months, and I made it a priority to get back over. But the major point is to reveal that we've got a bunch of talented people who post on this board. We have a published poet--forgot his name; we've got a tremendous artist in Noj. Marcello's photos are tremendous. One poster is ranked very high as a scrabble player. We've got a ton of talented musicians and writers and teachers and such. Jazz lovers are talented people.

I fear, based on experience with chess sites, that an urge to look at chess hotties correlates strongly with a need to get out more... But I do recall a certain World Chess Beauty Contest I forgot the thread title, but I was looking it up a few months back and the photos didn't carryover when the forum got the upgrade. I've lost the various websites where I was able to gather up the pics.

Are their separate rankings for Men and Women in competitive chess? Why on Earth would that be? Tennis, Golf, you know things that depend on physical strength to one degree or another ... but Chess? Or are the rankings subdivided by gender? And again, why would that be? Anyway, congrats, Paul! Ever think about becoming a chess hustler? There was an article in the Times a week or two ago about guys making pretty good money at it. No hustling for me. I'm old and my mind works too slowly. I've never played close to my abilities in blitz chess. Also, the whole concept of hustling is inimical to me. I'd never think of doing it. As for gender separation: I guess it's a traditional thing. Women have been moving up in the chess world over the last 10 years or so, but they still generally lag behind their male counterparts. They have separate rankings and separate tournaments. Women, however, can play in male tournaments if they desire. Men aren't allowed in theirs.

Mostly won? I'm surprised the guy lost a single game if he later became that strong. That's a world-class chess rating.

Played in the "expert" (2000-2199) Section of the Mid America Class Championship (chess) this weekend and I managed to defeat the 13th highest rated female player in the nation: 13 Vayserberg, Tatiana NY USA 2152 It was a tough game to judge, and I offered a draw at one point. She declined the offer, and I beat her about 15 moves later. She's not the highest rated player I've ever beaten, but she's got a "name." I finished w/ 2 points out of 3 in a very tough section. My own rating is 2004. It was a fun weekend.

Likely fallacious, Alex. Such stories get started and embroidered. Although it is possible if the grandmaster seriously overlooks the opponent, it really isn't likely. Most of the best chess hustlers are 1800-2200 strength, which is significantly lower than grandmaster level. My own rating is 2000, but I'm not good at blitz. Urban legends develop around how the local hustler was once able to beat a grandmaster, etc. It's likely bogus. Chess requires years of study to understand some of the technical aspects of the game. You just aren't born with such knowledge. The best geniuses were also well trained. Too many urban legends exist about these street hustlers. They are hustlers and hucksters; and they are definitely big talkers too. Hey Conn, which online sites do you play? I don't play many practice games whether online or otherwise. I save my game for tournaments! However, I do play a few blitz games on chessbase.com as a guest. I don't pay to play. ICC is considered by chess professionals as the best site for playing.

I was in Chicago over the weekend and caught only the first half of the Pats-Cowboys. I came out more impressed by Dallas' showing than I was by NE's play. There's no doubt in my mind that this was a Super Bowl preview. I can't see any other NFC team approaching Dallas. I don't think Green Bay can do it, nor Seattle. Pats look like a powerhouse. Brady makes some key mistakes but it doesn't seem to matter. Players go down on injuries and it doesn't seem to matter. Lots of firepower on both sides of the ball. This is clearly the most talented team in NE history, including the teams that won 3 Super Bowls over the last six years. No wonder there is early chatter about an undefeated season. This team must be scary for other teams.

Likely fallacious, Alex. Such stories get started and embroidered. Although it is possible if the grandmaster seriously overlooks the opponent, it really isn't likely. Most of the best chess hustlers are 1800-2200 strength, which is significantly lower than grandmaster level. My own rating is 2000, but I'm not good at blitz. Urban legends develop around how the local hustler was once able to beat a grandmaster, etc. It's likely bogus. Chess requires years of study to understand some of the technical aspects of the game. You just aren't born with such knowledge. The best geniuses were also well trained. Too many urban legends exist about these street hustlers. They are hustlers and hucksters; and they are definitely big talkers too.

Just another chess bum. There are quite a few of them. The game attracts people of independent spirit; those who like to think for themselves and who have trouble holding down jobs. Murphy is quite articulate. Every major city has their celebrity chess hustler. They are by no means the best players in the city, but they hustle chess for a living. Murphy is one of those.

Week 6 is a tough week. Get your picks in!

I don't bet on sports. Don't need to. The games are interesting enough.

I don't see this happening. He's happier than he ever was on his previous teams. Sadly, I agree with Goodspeak here. I think it's only a matter of time before T.O starts being the major jerk again. Of course, Aggie probably thinks the clock is ticking before Moss acts up!

Week 5 results: Conn 11-3 SS1 10-4 Noj 10-4 Van B. 9-5 Season totals after 5 weeks: Conn 48-28 Van B 47-29 Noj 47-29 SS1 45-31

Dallas pulls it out of their ass! I really don't have any problem with it; they are clearly the better team of the two. Buffalo's offense is pathetic. Even when things are absolutely going their way, they find the right mix to allow Dallas to win the game. That interception thrown by Edwards in the red Zone was a killer. Young qbs do things like that.

Excellent point, Rachel. You are so right on this. Still, I have studied Moss' past a little bit and the media has been really hard on him. Sportswriters go out of their way to find flaws in this supremely talented and hardworking receiver. Patriot players claim that he is one of the hardest workers on the team. He has incredible football smarts. He and Brady connect so quickly because it's as if they both recognize almost instantly when there is a hole in the defence. Moss has made mistakes in the past; and the media has done it's best to highlight his errors and foibles.

Happy Birthday Marcellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

i seem to recail that moss took a $6 million pay cut to join a winner. given the lack of loyalty of nfl teams to their players, i hope the decision serves him well. It's only a one year contract so I hope the two sides will be getting together to hammer out an extension.

For those who wonder about Randy Moss' attitude after a win over Cleveland in a game where his individual stats were pedestrian, I offer this quote: One encouraging sight which Patriot Nation could take from this game was Moss's attitude. Held to only three catches and overthrown often during the game, Moss still had a big grin on his face at game's end, the win secure. Many folks who might have been afraid that Moss would complain if he didn't get the ball enough would be thrilled with that sight, that Moss really was happier with the win than big stats, which he failed to get for the first time this season.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

SS1 wont be going for his boys this weekend?

Here's one reason why the Patriots are so dominant and another reason why Baltimore has fallen a bit. Everyone talks about Randy Moss, but Adalius Thomas has been a huge addition for the defence.

For you Arizona Cardinal fans out there: Now that Kurt Warner has been given the starter's position, Matt Leinert gets Warner's old job.

Actually, there's talk that Smith is done for the year.