Chess

RBA Bennett [Wales] Highest Past rating 2000 [Offered Rating for Interzonal in Ireland] (White) v J Adjei [Ghana] 1596 (Black)
Google Chess started 6 January 2010
Time Control: 1 move in up to 3 days
Rules: No books or Internet resources, no moving pieces other than executed moves
Kings Gambit Accepted
1. e4 e5
2. f4 exf4
3. Nf3 Nf6
4. e5 Nd5
5. Bc4 Nb6
6. Bb3 d6
7. O-O Nc6
8. exd6
To be continued
The Chess Set shown in the photograph consists of a triple weighted Match Play wooden chess set with felted bases turned in a Staunton Pattern with a King that is 9.8cm high. The pieces are stored in a velvet lined wooden box with a name plate bearing the owners name. During match play the pieces rest on a high quality Match Play wooden board consisting of 5.5cm squares. The board has a full felt underlay. This Match Play set and board only comes out on special occasions. The last time was in 1998. Playing Jeffers is special, and every time I move, I sip the red wine and raise a glass to 'absent friends'.

Serena

Serena (that's the name of the Clio involved in the accident) had 26 items damaged in all. I visited her at the repair centre only yesterday. Whereas Jodi visited the Good Samaritans the other week while traveling back to South Wales. Serena is doing well and is expected to make a full recovery by the end of this week or the beginning of the following week. Although I suspect that my eldest daughters purse will feel the effects of this carnage for many years to come; as her no claims bonus diminishes and the insurance premiums increase. But hey ho, cars are a way of modern life and when you travel significant distances then in a Western European society a car is pretty important. Although with the Internet and mobiles phones you don't always have to travel to keep in touch. I have just signed up to Google.com and am indulging a past favourite of mine; playing chess. It's great because I am now deep into two games against Jeffers in Accra. His ELO Rating on Google is 1596. I would be a little concerned playing a 1600 rated Chess player from England, as we all know that the English grades are suppressed. You can always add on a good 200 points. Especially in tournament play. But I do not know how the African grades equate. Jeffers speaks four languages so he is no dummy. I'm pretty good myself, but I only speak two languages and one of them quite badly. Then again it is not about Chess Grade or winning, it is more about social intercourse with a good friend located on the other side of the World.