Would you like to play an International Master?

[Paul Bonham]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

I suggest the creation of a Canadian Chess Masters Union to make sure there is known rules to be followed otherwise CCF and Canadian Chess will go bankrupcy.

Carl

CCF? Is that "Carl's Children's Foundation"? Benefitting his 5 kids in their quest for IM, maybe even GM, immortality?

Don't fret for "Canadian Chess". It will be deemed Too Big To Fail by the Quebec government and a huge bailout will ensue. Carl's 5 kids will have their photo taken together, they'll be the poster children for "Canadian Chess".

Maybe a Canadian TV network will create a new TV show, "The Bilodeau Family", in which Carl drives his psychedelic bus around the country, so that his kids and "Uncle Jean" can give simuls in every city and sign autographs for their adoring fans. Each episode will be a variation on a theme: the organizer in this week's city once again couldn't find sponsors, Uncle Jean has to pound the pavement for sympathy money to pay for the gas and motel rooms, eventually the organizer and Uncle Jean have a blowup (Carl quickly ushers his kids out of the room so they don't see the sordid side of Canadian chess), the organizer quits altogether, the Bilodeau family drives off into the sunset (have to sleep on the bus, Uncle Jean couldn't get any locals to donate), and the city they just left is now without it's only tournament organizer and will never have another chess event in our lifetime.

[Garvin Nunes]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

Just to let you all know there are still quite a few spots left in the simul. You might as well come to Hamilton and hang out with some chess addicts for an evening ;)

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

Just to let you all know there are still quite a few spots left in the simul. You might as well come to Hamilton and hang out with some chess addicts for an evening ;)

Here's a funny note. Some guys thought the simul was in Hamilton, New Zealand, and had reserved boards. Luckily they discovered their error in time. Still time to register. Info at

http://chess.servegame.com/hamilton/

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

As the simul is today, it is probably too late to post the announcement on chess.com and try to lure more players. However, future organizers should keep in mind of a huge number of CAN players there. (Once I saw a player with the t-shirt and logo of chess.com :D

[Garvin Nunes]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

...Don't fret for "Canadian Chess". It will be deemed Too Big To Fail by the Quebec government and a huge bailout will ensue...

Maybe giving money to chess could be called an economic stimulus package.

[Bob Gillanders]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

Well, I guess after all the debate, the price was right afterall! The simul was a great success, 30 boards. The field included lots of club regulars, a few faces we hadn't see in a while, a contingent from Brantford, lots of young talent from Hamilton's junior club, and a few new faces. However, no sign of the group from New Zealand!

The simul got underway just at 7:30 and concluded just after 11 pm. Artiom showed great stamina as he played non stop till it was all over. His final tally was 23 wins, 3 losses, and 4 draws.

Congratulations to:
Winners: Constantine Khayutin, Aaron Both, and Rene Preotu.
Draws: Mikhail Egorov, Oscar Lopez, Joe Ellis, and Bob Gillanders.

Thanks to all the players who made the evening a success. Thanks to IM Artiom Samsonkin, a class act, and thanks to Garvin for arranging it all.

[Rob Gashgarian]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

As one of the Brantford contingent, I'd also like to thank Garvin and the Hamilton Club for bringing in Artiom--a decent, cordial and pleasant young man--to play these games.
The price was exactly what it was meant to be, nothing more, nothing less. Thanks for providing an opportunity to many who would otherwise not have a chance to play and discuss, the game we're all so passionate about, with a player of Artiom's calibre.

[Garvin Nunes]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

Thank you Artiom for giving us such a memorable experience. And thanks to everyone who played in the simul.

[Egidijus Zeromskis]

Re: Would you like to play an International Master?

a few faces we hadn't see in a while, ... and a few new faces.

Cngrtlns to organizers for proving again that there are possibilities to attract old and new players. Now try to keep them coming regularly :)