Musings on chess, and lesser things
I’m alive; and even more importantly, back in the land of internets. But I’ll make it up: this post will be unnaturally long, and you can expect daily updates of the tournament for the next week. Having survived two safaris, I’ve now settled down into our hotel in Johannesburg in preparation for – shock! – chess. …
A very quick update on the run as I am late for, yes, a safari. But I felt obliged to write a quick something-something in mass response to the various “Are you alive?” emails and texts I have received (mainly as a result of teaching my mother how to use a computer before I left Australia).
I managed to survive the last couple of extended days in Buenos Aires, mainly thanks to unbelievable friends Manuel Weeks and Tristan Stevens, both of whom flew in from separate countries… and to two kind and selfless Americans (cue oxymoron jokes). My impression of Americans has been extended and I dare say improved thanks to their generosity and hospitality.
Besides the odd storm in Cape Town with winds in excess of 200 kilometres per hour (which my plane flew through), my luck seems to be turning around. I’m now about to drive into the wild for my first safari, despite having no driver’s license, no credit card, no idea who the seven people I’ll be sharing with are, and a vague idea about safety with wild animals. For once, surely, nothing can go wrong.
Well, what’s a trip without stories? I’m writing this from Buenos Aires, but I shouldn’t be. I’m supposed to be on a plane to Johannesburg and en route to Cape Town as we speak. But the volcanic ash cloud from the recent Chilean earthquake has thrown a spanner into that plan, and I’m stranded …
Access to internet and other homely luxuries is proving a little difficult during my backpacking travels, as might be expected. But I’m finally able to give you a little bit of a review and some highly unprofessional travel advice from my destinations so far. I understand the concept of the Lonely Planet guides, of course: …
Steak for breakfast. Steak for lunch. Steak for dinner. I threatened it, I joked about it, and I’ve followed through. And I can proudly declare, from the gluttonous slumber of my Buenos Aires couch, that Argentinean steak is the best in the world. I find it fascinating how travellers can be so quick to create …
Like the irresistible mistress she is, chess found a way to draw me back in, even in these unfamiliar territories. I’m back in Santiago, and last night Tristan and I visited the Chilean Chess Club for their weekly blitz tournament. It was something of a relief to be surrounded by chess players, I have to admit; while …
Well folks, we are well and truly on the road now, as I write this from the celebrated and historic Argentinean town of Mendoza. Some epic travel legs, a punishing crash course in speaking Latin American Spanish and a chronic course of insomnia has all added to what should be a stressful beginning to my …
Current packing list for four months backpacking in three continents: Eight brand new analog chess clocks, packaged and insulated Three Gardiner Chess coaching syllabuses Three large chess coaching books One full set of laminated A4 chess activity cards Twenty “Chess is cool!” wristbands Twenty souvenir toy koalas Bronze, silver and gold chess medallions One large …
A lot’s happened since my hurried mid-Doeberl update, which has caused me to neglect the website once more. So here’s what you’ve missed… The end of the tournament almost gave me the chance for a fairytale finish to my last chess event on home soil (for the foreseeable future). In the final round I was paired …
A very quick update in the break in between rounds 5 and 6 at this year’s Doeberl Cup. After taking a half point bye in round one and grinding out a win in the last game of round two against the extremely talented Justin Tan, I managed to finally get a bit of rhythm to …