Thanks to Tacticus Maximus for linking a program called MSA Data, which downloads and analyzes tournament results from the USCF.
It was a tad nostalgic seeing all those names from tournaments and clubs past. I was a bit surprised at how infrequently I met some of them in tournaments–1 person thrice, 10 twice, and 49 just once. (Oddly, I’ve already played one person from the Houston Chess Club twice in two tournaments.)
The good
My best upset was 327 points higher.
My best draw was 588 points higher.
Worst loss was to a 1400 (168 points lower at the time), and the next worst was to a 1497 (112 points). (I thought there’d be at least one real crapball game where I lost to an 1100 or something, but no such luck.)
The bad
Record against similarly rated opponents is +5/-8/=2. Not particularly healthy.
Record against players 100 or more points higher? +7/-28/=5. It’s not like I’m playing Experts and Masters all the time (9 games) to make the disparity so great.
The optimistic
Unofficially, I’m 31% of the way to obtaining the 100 point increase I’m shooting for. As far as following that +100 plan? Kinda doing parts 1, 3, and 5, while ignoring 2 and 4.
[UPDATE: One of the tournaments I played in was called the "Waco Full Frontal Autumn Open". Not the most optimal verbiage, methinks.]
November 19th, 2007
7 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Chess
The King of Spain probably has a lot of new fans.
In the recent Ibero-American Summit, there was a mite bit of friction generated between Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez and the Spanish representatives, prime minister Zapatero and king Juan Carlos:
Mr Chavez called Mr Aznar, a close ally of US President George W Bush, a fascist, adding “fascists are not human. A snake is more human.”
Mr Zapatero said: “[Former Prime Minister] Aznar was democratically elected by the Spanish people and was a legitimate representative of the Spanish people.”
Mr Chavez repeatedly tried to interrupt, despite his microphone being turned off. The king leaned forward and said: “Why don’t you shut up?”
A “Why don’t you shut up?” ringtone has become a hit, generating a couple million of dollars of income.
November 19th, 2007
no comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under In the News
1. All you Boston sports fans, take note: The Revolution failed New English fans yet again, being defeated by the Houston Dynamo 2-1 in the Major League Soccer championship game. Weep, petty northeasterners, while I lord this result over you. Ha, ha, ha, ha!
… … … …
This would be a lot more satisfying if Americans actually cared about soccer (football).
2. It is worth noting that soccer (football) will always be more popular in America than wooden shoes racing:
3. The Miami Dolphins lose again to fall to 0-10. 6 games until immortality, and what a long 6 games that will be.
November 19th, 2007
4 comments
Posted by Donnie
Filed under Sports
