Check, check, and double check
Iterating through my blogroll, I noted someone’s blogroll (edit: it be gorckat’s) consisted of “Chess Blogs” and “Non-Chess Blogs”. Liquid Egg Product was listed under “Chess Blogs”. Doing a quick calculation, 9.6% of this site’s posts have something to do with chess (this post will bump it up to 9.8%). In other words, to file this as a chess blog is starting to strain any reasonable credulity.
A couple weeks back, Blue Devil Knight asked for volunteers to help convert Silman’s Complete Endgame Course to PGN format. I offered my assistance, figuring at least it would force me to learn some endgame material. Plus, it would make me look like a swell guy for giving up some time. 
It’s a real good thing the project hasn’t been started, because I still need to finish a Flash website which still has code and appearance issues. And I haven’t used Flash much recently–like in the last two years–so that hasn’t made things any better. (It sounds like BDK is winding down his chess blog, so I don’t know whether we’ll do it at all.)
A few days ago, I finally went to pick up the book. Picking up the copy sitting on the shelves of Borders, I realized with a sinking feeling that this Silman book felt a lot heavier than the other ones. Based on book volume, I figure there’s 30% more material than I expected, which leads to this life rule:
Before volunteering your services for anything, check, check, and double check how much energy and time you’ll have to give up. It’ll be more than you think.
Yes, this is my entire collection of chess books, which is probably more sparse than 90% of the chess bloggers. Here’s the thing, though–I’ve actually read them (except for going through the entire Polgar brick). And no one plays the Queen’s Indian, so that was a blasted waste of time.
I wasn’t too keen on Inner Game of Chess, myself. Bought it as one of those quick fixes several years ago, back when I had no idea the effort required to get better.
I have Efim Geller’s useless book on the Queen’s Indian.
I’m jealous of your big, hard, Chess book. Mine’s floppy.
And you will stay on on my list as a Chess link, gosh darn it all! There be chess in these parts!
Reply to gorckatThe first chapter of The Inner Game of Chess was the most fascinating. It’s certainly not a bread-and-butter book that’s useful by itself without some grounding in chess principles.
I find the Reshevsky book The Art of Positional Play to be an enjoyable excursion, but you have to be familiar with cuneiform (aka Descriptive Notation).
I couldn’t remember which blog it was that I made note of it, and was too lazy to go back over all of them. If 9.8% chess content is enough to call a blog a chess blog, then by all means it’s a chess blog!
Reply to DonnieWhat’s the lower limit on chess post concentration to be classified as a chess blog?
Reply to AllenI couldn’t remember which blog it was that I made note of it, and was too lazy to go back over all of them.
I can visualize the blog you’re referring to, but its not actually mine. I have ‘Chess Blog’s and ‘Non-Blog Chess Sites’.
I am contemplating a ‘Timeout Corner’ section because sometimes you and Mascot are just bad.
Reply to gorckatMy chess site only links to other chess related sites. I link to yours via:
http://www.liquideggproduct.com/category/chess/
Reply to Tacticus MaximusI’ve got Liquid Egg Product listed under “Other Great Blogs”. The greatness of this blog is, of course, mostly a result of its phenomenal mascot.
Reply to Chessaholicoh, you are a chess blog? and this whole time i thought i was reading you cause you are funny and interesting… but since i made another category for non chess blogs, and you aren’t in it, then that means…i am too lazy to move you, so you are on the blogroll….
Reply to chessloserChessaholic’s got it right. It’s only a matter of time before the world realizes my contribution to world culture. And gorkcat, please don’t blame me, Donnie’s a BAD influence on me. I should look for another job.
Reply to THE MascotI wish I could publish games on my site like some of you all have. If it is possible on WordPress I have not figured it out. I am not very good (mid 1500′s on FICS) but I enjoy the games and trying to get better. If had time to study I would be more successful at that I guess.
Reply to Tom@Allen: I don’t know, but I thought 9.8% wouldn’t be enough.
@gorckat: Please don’t blame me, the Mascot is a bad influence on me.
@Tacticus: That’s a good way to do it.
@Chessaholic: As much as I hate to admit it, you’re probably right.
@Mascot: Hey, you stole my line!
@Tom: If you use chesspublisher.com, you should be able to publish games; they have full instructions on their site. Or you can use chess.com.
Know exactly what you mean about the time. I won’t have so much time for chess until after the calendar year.
Reply to DonnieStrolling around LA tonight after the Patriots wonderful victory of this amazing season, I saw some guys at Borders playing chess…my heart started to race….luckily my wife and friend were there to drag me away before I got sucked in.
I am not sure what I’ll do with this Silman thing I started. I’ll do something, though, even if I just get everyone in contact and only contribute the first chapter. I’ll probably do more.
Reply to Blue Devil Knight@chessloser: I can’t BELIEVE I missed responded to your comment last time! Thanks for the props, and hopefully the new year
@BDK: LOL. Those guys at Borders were probably patzers who couldn’t give you a real game anyway.
Don’t sweat the PGN project too much.
Reply to Donnie