The title of this post is how H.G. Wells characterized the Royal Game of Chess. One might easily surmise that Mr. Wells was a weak chess player who lost to one too many paupers and needed to come up with an excuse. Wells also claimed that "chess annihilates a man and hardens the soul".
He did list a number of players who went crazy over indulging the game:
1. Gustav Neumann 2. Johannes Minckwitz who committed suicide via train 3. George Rotlewi stricken by "nervous illness" 4. Akiba Rubinstein 5. Mexican first time GM Carlos Torre 6. Aron Nimzowitsch 7. Raymond Weinstein insitutionalized on Ward's Island in NYC 8. Everybody's favorite, the Jew hating Bobby Fischer
Back to Wells' usage of the word excrescence which is defined as a distinct outgrowth on a human or animal body or on a plant, especially one that is the result of disease or abnormality. I know that chess has kept kids out of jail in the United States city of Detroit, Michigan(Pete Nixon has the data on this claim) . Wells should stick to Science Fiction where he made his mark. Listing a few crazies among the chess population is a little like being overly concerned about the postal profession because a few postal workers flew the coup.
Was moved while in Brooklyn regarding the indefatigable efforts of chess coach Liz Elizabeth Speigel at IS 318, a public middle school. She excoriated the lack of rule execution by tournament director David Hater dealing with egregious sandbagging.
ReplyDeleteShe was brave enough to expose Will Barela's "assistance" in helping New Mexico's Benjamin Corarreti cheat his way to Life Master
I think a gentleman named Peter Cuneo could give you more authentic info regarding Ben's inclination to cheat. His father is a head case with a temper.....Perhaps Bipolar? Also Jeff Sallade, an irritating weak kibitzer, but an honest guy might have some inside knowledge about any cheating in the land of enchantment. There was a nice man there who ran a Pir Maleki event honoring a deceased teacher who also would know about any unethical conduct.
DeleteOne of the better chess coaches in the area Steve Perea would also be well aware of events that would corroborate your cheating claims. Perea is a weak tournament player but gives so much back to the youth of our beloved game!!!
Have any of you played the player toktok at the internet chess club? He is rated around 1300 USCF and plays for draws with the White pieces constantly offering draws. I beat his ass like 30 games consecutively and had to noplay the weak little runt
DeleteI sure would not describe Steve Perea as a good chess coach. His ego is way too inflated. I sort of knew the guy because of my boy who attends Seven Bar Elementary School in Albuquerque. He has a BAD habit of trying to coach the other team's players at tournaments which pisses off the actual coach. He will brag about his military experience if you give him an inch! Sallade butts into other people's games and pretends to know more than them. Irritating but harmless guy with a low rating.
DeletePerea almost gets into fights as a Trump supporter. Believes the election was rigged etc. If he is really a "military guy" there is no way he would have endorsed the preening narcissist who LOST TO BIDEN!!!