[Event "Stanley Random Chess: Challenge from surfnsuds"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2008.12.15"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Squibber"]
[Black "surfnsuds"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Variant "stanleyrandom"]
[WhiteCountry "ENG"]
[BlackCountry "USA"]
[WhiteElo "1805"]
[WhiteRD "272"]
[BlackElo "1692"]
[BlackRD "93"]
[GameID "183506"]

{
Squibber: Hmm, I think the best move is probably e4, at least according to Bobby Fischer. Problem is that this could be modified by the computer into something else. Question is do I then alternate to an inferior move that might also be modified (or maybe not)?
I think as I am English and don't know better I will try this move and see what happens. You see I don't understand these strange patterns that can suddenly decide the game, so I trust nothing. But to live by the sword can bring you to die by the sword so we'll try it. 
}
1. g4 d6
{
surfnsuds: That's the spirit! Stiff upper lip and all that, if that's the expression I want.
}
{
Squibber: Hmm, it seems I am supposed to try and avoid illegal moves without being told what they are. Do all moves have a 50% chance of being illegal at any particilar time or are a certain 50% of all possible moves always illegal? Can I learn anythiung from experience? Seems a tad unlikely just at the moment but no reason not to try.
}
2. c3 c5
{
surfnsuds: Well, of course the illegal moves are always illegal given that the conditions that make them can be arcane. best bet for us is to think in terms of "likelihood of legality." And your guess is as good as mine for how likely legality may be stumbled upon. I'd guess you are more likely than not to get your desired move.
}
{
Squibber: Arcane is definately the key word, as in the patterns and move sequences which can suddenly decide the game. As i don't know what these are I doubt I can do much against them.
}
3. b3 Bxg4 4. Bh3 Bxh3 5. a4 Bg2 6. h4 Nc6
{
Squibber: What is this- a butterfly defence? To try and improve my understanding of SR chess I started to read the annotated game Austin-Topov. Here I noticed that your rating is in fact higher than that of GM Topov who was world champion for a record 13 years. Does this mean that you are one of very top SR chess players in the world or is the SR chess ratings system also arcane? 
}
7. Nf3 Bxh1
{
surfnsuds: GM Topov may have a lower rating here because he played many demonstration games and allowed himself to get into weak positions in order to illustrate certain subtleties of the game. I am not in his league when it comes to regulation play. furthermore most of my own rating comes from the version of the game before the recent change here at SM. I had figured that out. However, the new implementation has me dazzled so far.
}
{
Squibber: What is regulation in SR chess? I am rather sad I lost my rook. Not really because you have established a large material gain and demolished my king side. It's really that I dreamed about a beautiful counter attack, like Topov I am willing to sacrifice for beauty, I lack only his comprehension. I planned to launch it with a stunning rook switch but I don't think one can manage that with just one rook, not even in SR. Have you ever heard of a precedent when an SR GM has succesfully executed a rook switch when one of the rooks was already in heaven? It sounds like an improbable defence and therefore my most likely.
 Do you want to buy the lateral rook catapult I just know my mother has bought me for Christmas? Better than socks again.
}
8. Ng5
{
surfnsuds: Well for the exact definition of regulation SRC play, I think you have to refer to the ISRC documentation. I lost my copy when a large boat I had filled with it overturned in San Francisco bay, several years ago. But as I recall, various official personages have to be on hand with the perquisite regalia and recording forms... well yes, you lost your rook, but you still have a Randy Knight so I think you are still in very good shape. Ah, the Lateral Rook Catapult! What a great move, and one that has held its subtle beauty over the decades!
}
8... Nh6
{
Squibber: Referring to ISRC documentation is turning out to be easier said than done. It has an unfortunate habit of being lost or destroyed in purges and calamities. Actually I did have a great uncle who claimed to have a complete copy of the Tewksbury rules, but that is another story.
}
9. f3 Ne5
{
surfnsuds: Were those the Tewksbury, England rules or the Tewksbury, Massachusetts rules? Some say the Tewsbury Massachusetts rules were not worth the reams of paper each volume was printed on, and that they ended up in outhouses all over the country. Of course, nowadays, a clean copy is considered a collector's item.
}
{
Squibber: This was the English Tewksbury rules draughted during the legendary Tewksbury Assembly of 1888. His grandfather was in fact one of the signiturories. It was only later in life as I came to research my family history that I read about this old family heirloom and decided I must start to play Stanley Random Chess.
 The fate of the manuscript was closey bound with that of my great uncle. He saw the Tewksbury (MA) rules however as some kind of rival to his beloved own, and was somewhat disdainful of them. He used to say things like "The Tewksbury Massachusetts rules are not fit to be used in an English outhouse" and even, after several large ports, "If that's how they play Stanley in Massachusetts, why the bloody hell do the Bee Gees like it so much?"
}
10. Kf2 Qc8
{
surfnsuds: The Bee Gees only played SRC when the lights went out...
}
{
Squibber: Which Bee Gee was the best dark SRC player?
}
11. e3 Nd3+
{
surfnsuds: Barry was the first Bee Gee to play SRC in a Gee Bee. http://tinyurl.com/8g5oqh
}
{
Squibber: Sadly my computer blocks that site for some reason so I can't read about the Bee Gees in a Gee Bee. How many Bee Gees can you get in a Gee Bee anyway?
}
12. Ke2 Ne5
{
surfnsuds: Well, one if he is small. Try this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fun_flying/387872277/
}
{
Squibber: I like stayinbg alive but I find the Bee Gee story a bit of a diversion. I will try this new website but can I tell you more about my great uncle Henry & his manuscript? 
}
13. Qf1
{
surfnsuds: Of course! Furthermore, you ought to consider making the story available to the rest of the SRC community.
}
13... Bxf3+
{
Squibber: Of course, but I don't know how to do that.
}
14. Nxf3 b5
{
surfnsuds: Well, after you relate the rest of your tale, we'll just cut and paste it into the SRC forums here at SchemingMind.
}
{
Squibber: I just wrote it all out but now it has just gone somehow. It is bedtime so I will try again later.
Goodnight.
}
15. Nxe5 Ng8
{
surfnsuds: Goodnight.
}
{
Squibber: I just wrote it all down & it took me well over an hour. When I posted it & I lost it again. Maybe I forgot to press "comment". I hate it.
 Merry Christmas Topher.

}
16. Qxf7+
{
surfnsuds: Oh, man, such a loss for SRC!!! Merry Christmas to you as well!
}
16... Kd8
{
Squibber: Sorry, I will write it again soon so it will be no loss for SRC. Now it is 3.38am. local time & I have to go to bed. One question: What will you eat on Christmas Day?
}
17. Qf5 d5
{
surfnsuds: I plan to make some bread and take it to a friend's house. I don't know what they will serve! But I am sure to have some bread. How about you?
}
{
Squibber: Yesterday I was also a guest and we had stag. I didn't think of taking any bread but they already had plenty. Only once tried baking bread & burnt it. Have a notion it might be time to try again. Today we'll cook duck.
}
18. Ke1
{
Squibber: What was your mystery Xmas dinner?
}
{
surfnsuds: It was potluck, and very creative! One person brought some simply fantastic hummos, baba ganouj, tabouli, and other middle eastern appetizers that he had made. Another person had brought delicious chicken soup. There were pies and cookies. Many types of cheese and crackers and so on. Lots of wine and beer and spirits. It was lovely. I have never had stag. That must be interesting! I have had duck. Sometimes I like it and sometimes not, it depends on how it is cooked. How did you cook yours?
}
18... Qxf5
{
Squibber: GM Topov has warned us that accepting a gambitted queen can often be dangerous. Perhaps this was therefore a STAR move, as most of mine patently aren't.
 Your Xmas dinner sounded wonderful, & quite laid back. Californian style as I would imagine it. A lot of fun anyway.
 We were able to save some time on the duck as it was the remainder of a large, previously cooked bird which had already been cut into portions and later frozen. We therefore only had to cook the rest of the meal & warm it up.
 We have tried a couple of fancy recipies which were very nice but the way this duck was origonally cooked was remarkably simple. It was stuffed with peeled, sliced apples then baked in the oven in a baking dish. Every now and then the pure fat was skimmed from the top of the juice that oozes out & the juice was then ladled over the bird. As it was nearing readiness it was cooked for a short time under the grill to make the skin crispy. That was all; no herbs or special ingredients, very simple but effective. It tasted wonderful. 
}
19. d3 Qf2+
{
surfnsuds: My queen is attempting a Royal Rampage. Best of luck to her. That duck SOUNDS wonderful. And I, being hungry at this moment, am salivating... I am going out to the kitchen in a few minutes to make some more bread sticks for dinner. And in two hours, I'll eat some... til then, I will just have to keep salivating. Where's my handkerchief?
}
{
surfnsuds: I think it is likely to be an aborted Royal Rampage!!
}
{
Squibber: An aborted royal teenage rampage? As far as I can see I have only one (normally) legal move so that can't be altered. Let's try it out.
}
{
Squibber: Oh no, I have two of course.Let's see what happens.
}
20. Kxf2 h6
{
surfnsuds: Not sure why it was necessary to push that pawn...
}
{
Squibber: Kg3-g4-g5 was obviously a serious random theat, which you have capably randomly deflected.
 Have you seen the riddles game that has just spung up on Nothing in Particular? Looks like fun.
}
21. Nf7+ Ke8
{
surfnsuds: Yes, but have not yet participated.
}
{
Squibber: How where your bread sticks?
}
22. d4 g6
{
surfnsuds: Really really good. 
}
{
Squibber: I will have to try & bake something next year. In the meantime I am going on holiday in a few hours & won't be back online for about a week. So I wish you a very Happy New Year & if possible.............
don't forget to have a REALLY GOOD PARTY.
Next year I will tell you about uncle Henry & his rules.
}
23. Nxh8 a6
{
surfnsuds: Have a great New Year, yourself! I probably won't go any party, but if I do it'll be small and very fun and we'll probably just play music and drink wine. Like we did last night and will again tonight!
}
{
Squibber: I hope you had a fine, mellow New Year & I wish you all the very best for 2009! 
}
24. Ra3 b4
{
Squibber: Are you origionally from San Jose?
}
25. dxc5 Rc8
{
surfnsuds: Nope, I grew up in the Midwest and West mostly, but spent 25 years in Boston before moving to San Jose. How about you?

}
{
Squibber: Where were you born? 
 I was born in Warrington, England & grew up mostly there. After that I moved round a bit. 

 My great uncle Henry Morton inherited his original copy of the Tewksbury rules unexpectedly after his older brother was tragically killed in a croquet accident. He always claimed that his grandfather was one of the original signitories.
 The inheritance caused him some problems however. The rules were so long that he had nowhere to store the masses of paper. It was also the aftermath of Dunkirk and he was terrified that the manuscript could fall into enemy hands. 
 The desperate mesure he turned to in order to protect his treasure and inheritance was to excavate a huge hole in his grounds and bury the whole thing, whilst he built the necessary secure outbuildings.
 By an awful turn of fate this proceeded the great earthworm plague of 1942 when 90% of the earthworms in Gloucestershire were wiped out by a virus. The starving mole population tried to eat anything they could find and they even chewed through the packaging of the manuscripts and tried to eat the contents.
 The first Henry learned of this was when he beggn to find shreds of printed paper in the mole hills.
}
26. cxb4 Bg7
{
surfnsuds: I was born a bit north of Chicago. Well, it is certainly quite interesting to read of the Tewskbury rules. It is quite an honor to find myself playing a relative of the great Henry Morton! 
}
{
Squibber: Where north of Chicago?
 As you assumably come from Illinois, do you know about Jim Croce?
 There was a desperate recovery operation followed by a very long assesment of the damage. The findings were that 50% of the rules had tragically 
been destroyed by moles.
 The manuscript had actually been heavily insured but the insurance declined to pay out, claiming it was an "Act of God".
}
27. Nxg6 Kf7
{
surfnsuds: I only lived in Illinois til I was 3 years old, so I don't remember much. We were in a suburb of Chicago. I have certainly heard Jim Croce's music many time. I didn't know he was from Chicago. Insurance companies do not understand the vital significance of SRC rule books. 
}
{
Squibber: I don't know if Jim Croce was from Chicago or Illinois but he did like to sing about it. My favourite Jim Croce song is "Box number 10". Do you know also that the south side of Chicago is the baddest part of town?
 Henry Morton was undeterred by the insurance people. He simply stated that if it was in truth an "Act of God" then it must have a divine purpose. He then proclaimed that God had thereby edited the "superfluous" content of the Tewksbury Rules and that he was the one true prophet who was trusted with "the Divine Game". After the scandal and arguament which this vainglourius boast created had spread itself around The Cotswalds he set about organising and advertising a prestigious tournament.
}
28. Nf8 a5 29. Nd7 axb4
{
Squibber: From what I remember January is the time of the NFL play-offs and Super Bowl. Does that interest you at all?
}
30. Kg1 bxa3
{
surfnsuds: I don't follow professional sports at all. Do you?
}
{
Squibber: Very little. I do like a bit of cricket and I follow the chess, if you call that a sport.
}
{
Squibber: I had a feeling that might happen. Now I can put the lateral rook catapult back in it's box, I won't be needing that again for a while.
}
31. Bxa3 Rc7
{
surfnsuds: quite difficult to uncatapult a rook after its demise.
}
{
Squibber: Or even before.
}
32. Bb4 Rxd7
{
surfnsuds: I have now disabled your planned knight catapult. But at what cost?
}
{
Squibber: The end of my randy knight.
}
33. c6 Rc7
{
surfnsuds: Up in the air, the Junior Birdmen, etc, etc.
}
{
Squibber: What?
}
34. Bc5 Rxc6
{
surfnsuds: It was a song, you sang it with special gestures. I felt it applied to my knight.
}
{
Squibber: I thought it was a musical reference but I have never heard the song.
}
35. b4
{
surfnsuds: Well I only heard my friends singing it, and making the gestures, but here's a link to more info than you could possibly ever want to know about this unique thing. http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=236753
}
35... Bf6
{
Squibber: Thanks for the link. I take it the gestures are mostly flapping & stuff. Maybe a bit of jumping. Am I right?
}
36. h5 Rc7
{
surfnsuds: The most amusing gesture is making the goggles with your fingers. I do not know who these people are, but they're doing it! http://www.flickr.com/photos/22325351@N00/176686282/
}
{
Squibber: The nearest thing to this that the Brits have is probably "The Birdy Song" by "The Tweets", have you ever come across it?
}
37. Na3 Bg5
{
surfnsuds: Never!
}
{
Squibber: A novelty hit years ago. The Tweets all wore bird costumes & had a special dance. It was rather cheesey & annoying but caught on & was danced on mass in discos across the country. They never had another hit.
}
38. Nb5 e6
{
surfnsuds: One can be enough. I keep hoping one of my tunes might be a hit, but you know, my tunes are not oriented towards mass market at all so I hope in vain. Well, also the fact I haven't put out a CD at all doesn't help any. But I will! Soon!
}
{
surfnsuds: Thank you Stanley!

}
{
Squibber: I'm glad you haven't sold out to commercialism, it isn't how I imagine you. I would like to buy the first copy of your CD, even if you win this game.
}
39. Bb6
{
Squibber: Doooh!
}
{
Squibber: Why did I say that?
}
39... Rc4 40. Bc5 Nf6
{
Squibber: What kind of music do you play?
}
41. a5 Ne4
{
surfnsuds: Blues, bluegrass, swing, country, old rock, Celtic, some jazz. But my favorite thing is funny songs.
}
{
Squibber: Wow! Have you ever heard "The Worzels"? Anyway I like your mix. Before I forget I think I must finish the story of Henry Morton, just in case you want to know how it ends. His tournament in Cirencester was the biggest SR Chess tournament in The West Country during the 1940s. He had christened his new variation "Henry Morten's semi-deleted Stanley Random Chess". He had caused quite a stir and attracted an impressive field including the brilliant but unstable White Russian SRGM Ivor Stroganov. The tournament did not run to plan however and many of the games ended in heated arguaments due to uncertainties caused by the eaten rules. Sharp cutlery was removed from the buffet for safety reasons but it all came to a head in the semi-finals when Stroganov smacked his opponent with the soup ladel and it degenerated into a brawl and food fight. The players were thrown out of the hotel and Morten picked up a large bill for damages. His reputation a tournament organiser was ruined and he was somewhat sidelined from SR circles and unfairly dismissed as something of an eccentric. After this he became a bit of a recluse. He had one more try with his new invention of Moreton's semi-deleted random ludo but this also failed to catch the imagination of the masses and he became bankrupt then vanished. As a result none of my family have since played SR chess until now but I think it's time we rejoin the fold again (if you'll still have us).
}
42. Nd6+ Kf6
{
surfnsuds: Thank you for the history! It needs to be shared with all SRC aficionados, and I think the Forum is the best place. Meanwhile, I am sure I speak for all but the Russians, when I posit that your family, and you in particular, are most welcome in the SRC flock once again.
}
{
Squibber: Very kind of you. Post it where you think best. I'm a bit new to decide whether he qualifies as a Stanley Notable or not so I'll leave the whole thing to your better judgement.
}
43. Nxc4 Ng3
{
surfnsuds: He certainly qualifies. 
}
{
Squibber: His devious ghost will be honoured.
}
44. Nd6 Nxh5
{
surfnsuds: check it out: http://schemingmind.com/topic.aspx?topic_id=90998
}
{
Squibber: Wow. Excellent work! I imagine that the Cotswalds will be floating in fine port when the Old Tewkers read about this.
}
45. a6 e5
{
Squibber: surfnsuds: I see there are plenty of individual games of SRC but were there ever any teamn games? For instance has a team from the USA ever played against a team from Europe like in the Ryder Cup? After renewed interest on the Mornington Crescent site (sparked by you) I realised it might be popssible for me to arrange a team of 8, with other people I know that like this game, from Europe. Do you think that you could collect 8 Americans to play against us? If it works out I hope it could become an annual fixture on Scheming Mind. Tell me if you have any interest in my challenge, or if America has. 
}
46. a7
{
surfnsuds: You can join one of the existing SRC League Teams (I am captain of The Steamers and hereby invite you to join my team) or, if you get your players together you could start you own team within the SRC league here at SchecmingMind! We are presently setting up a match using the Non-contrapuntal theme, so get your team together and let's have at it!
}
{
surfnsuds: Hmm, I think to be a captain you have to be a full member, so I suggest you join up and start a team! 
}
46... d4
{
Squibber: If America takes up the gauntlet I will immediately become a full member and start to organise a European team. All you have to say is "Yes we can".
Oh, I didn't read the bit about the Steamers, I guess I'd like to play for them as well.
}
47. exd4
{
surfnsuds: Well, I think it would be best to start your own team and join the league! There are already three teams in the league and a fourth would be really great. 
}
{
surfnsuds: I just checked all three teams - they all have mixed nationality membership. To be honest I think it would be hard to put together two more teams worth of SRC players... but I'd love it!
}
{
surfnsuds: The teams are: The Steamers, SRC Stars, and The Mornington Crescent Movers. 
}
47... e4
{
Squibber: OK, I think I've got it. Last night I was a bit woozy; I had been poisoned by Kasachstan, so I didn't get everything. I nöw understand it as follows: there are only 3 teams in the SM SRC league. They are all international. Therefore, although I would like to play for the Steamers, it would be better if I found my own team to make up the numbers. To ground a European team only to play in the Ryder Cup would be a little against the interenational friendship of Scheming Mind. Am I correct so far? If so my intention is to take out full membership straight away and start recruiting a new team to challenge the Steamers and others, from all over the world. Please advise.
One more thing I'd better ask: what is the Non-contrapuntal theme? Are you allowed to tell me?
}
48. Nxe4+
{
Squibber: One more thing: How many players do I need in my team?
}
{
surfnsuds: Hey, cool! A new SRC team would be great. You need three players minimum for your team, to make it viable. but the more the merrier! And as I said, if you want to join an existing team, you are most welcome to do that, and again, I invite you to consider The Steamers. But the choice is completely yours. You are correct that the existing teams are all International. You are certainly welcome to make up a European team if you like, and perhaps with some active recruiting you can get someone (not me - one SRC team is enough for me!) to start up a Western Hemisphere team, or some such thing. I do not know what the Ryder Cup is. I am publishing information about the Non-contrapuntal theme in the forum. I'll give you that link in a moment. 


}
{
surfnsuds: http://www.schemingmind.com/topic.aspx?topic_id=91043 is all about the non-contrapuntal thematic. enjoy it. I am writing up the rest a little at a time as I do my research... hem hem.
}
48... Kf5
{
Squibber: surfnsuds: A lot of people have turned me down because they have other commitments. I have written to 8 players because I don't know how many I will need. Not one has said that he will play in my team. It looks bad. But no, if I only need 3 international players then I will get them. The last thing that dies is hope. You will hear from me.

}
{
Squibber: Every year the USA plays a game of golf against Europe (or maybe every few years), it is for the Ryder Cup. It is the only sporting event I can think of that America plays against Europe. That is why I thought it would be good to play a paralel Stanley Random Chess tournament. Friendship thing. Maybe I am just wierd! Ask your friends  who play golf.
}
49. Nxg5 Kxg5
{
surfnsuds: Ah, I see! Noe, I am not a golfer so I hadn't heard of that cup.

I've heard of an America's Cup in sailboat racing that is won by different countrys, but that's not the same as the whole continent of Europe...

Well, not to worry anyway, if you can't get another SRC team together, you can join one of the existing ones!
}
{
Squibber: I have written to most of my friends tonight (apart from the ones who already play in The Steamers) & I will field a new team in some form. I'm afraid they will be rookies but I've promised them that it will be OK & we will explain the rules as the game goes on. Maybe we can play a friendly game against the Steamers as our first move. Can we challenge you to that?
}
50. a8=Q Ng7
{
surfnsuds: I'll ask the other members of the Steamers but I think they'll probably be happy to play your team.

One thing I have found is that rookie SRC players often beat the more experienced players, but never really know why...
}
{
Squibber: There are 4 of us up to now. We are all Europeans but this is just coincidence as nobody from outside Europe replied. I am also in the process of becoming a full member. I will try to get a few more though I am starting to run out of friends. I didn't ask how it went in the SR chess league & if it is a real league. What I mean is do the teams challenge each other in a randomish way like I have done or do they simply enroll in the league & have matches allocated to them by whoever runs the league? Who is that by the way? 
}
51. Qh8
{
surfnsuds: At present, Austin sets up the league matches. I imagine he intends to automate the process some day. Teams may also just challenge each other whenever they want to. usually the captain just contacts the other team's captain and then one of them sets up the match. read: http://wiki.schemingmind.com/Teams and also http://wiki.schemingmind.com/CaptainGuide
}
51... Nf5
{
Squibber: Thanks for the links! Very helpful. I know have 5 & at this point looked at the other teams to see how many I will need. To my surprise it seems 5 would be the biggest team. I also noticed that no teams are playing at the moment. This reminded me of a recent comment by Austin about a new SR league. Is the SM SR league currently defunct or will it be operating this year?
}
52. Qe5
{
surfnsuds: The SR teams are brand new. They have only been around a couple months. We just finished our very first match and I am proud to say The Steamers won! We are currently getting up steam for a second match, which is the non-contrapuntal thematic, so your team will be just in time to join it.
}
{
surfnsuds: To me, the team format for SRC play is especially appropriate, since it is essentially a social game.
}
52... h5
{
surfnsuds: I wonder if we can get all our pieces into a line?
}
{
Squibber: Nice idea but my king would never make it to a5 in time. I have just read the non-contrapuntal thematic thread which looks quite a challenger for our first game. All my chaps speak English but some of the finer points might be stretching their comprehenshion somewhat. I'm going to need to hire a crack team of bilingual secretaries to make sure we don't misunderstand any of the important aspects of non-contrapunctal play. I expect to field 5 boards if all goes well. I sent payment to Austin today, but it will take a few days to clear. When do you intend to start the non-contrapuntal ball rolling (or should that be bouncing)?
}
53. Be7+ Kg4
{
surfnsuds: Well, things move slowly in correspondence chess. I expect it'll be next week before we get going. Or maybe longer. We will very happily wait for your team to get formed before we start!
}
{
Squibber: My memership should be sorted out by next week & the squad is all standing by so we hope to be ready soon. What will the format be? Will it be all play all & if so will it be simultaneous or staggerred/staggerring?
}
54. Qe4+
{
surfnsuds: We'll use the standard league play format. Each team captain orders the players against the players of the other teams. Each member plays two games against the same player in each of the opponent teams. So if we have four teams, each player will play 8 games total. Each team gets a point for a won game, and the team with the most points wins the match. a draw gives half a point to each team for that game.
}
{
surfnsuds: What will be your team's name? Please introduce your team on the forum http://schemingmind.com/topic.aspx?topic_id=91043
}
54... Kg3
{
Squibber: I have posted a rather vague notice on the forum which I will be adding to as soon as we exist. I hope it's OK for now. I must be missing something so please explain: if there are four teams, why will each player play eight games?
}
55. Qxf5
{
surfnsuds: Yep, I did read your note. Very good. -- Each player will be matched with one player from each of the three other teams. They will play two games. that results in six games, not eight. I was thinking 2x4, but I should have been thinking 2x3. My error.
-- 
It may be that one of the teams only has willing players for (say) three boards. In that case, not every player on each team will get to play in this match. The captains will need to discuss with his teammates who will and will not play.
}
55... h4
{
Squibber: That only leaves the question: will the games all be started at once, or in three rounds? My full member status has now been restored and I will stay here this weekend to get my team organised.
}
56. Bd6#
{
Squibber: Thanks for the game. Beginner's luck I do believe, I just hope it will continue and spread to my team!
}
{
surfnsuds: Well done! Good luck getting the team together. I think the games get started as soon as each pair of captains finalizes his roster. So it's not staggered by design, but it may end up being staggered if one or two captains are slow to set up the games.
}
{
Squibber: surfnsuds: It really was a privilege to have played my first game of Stanley Random Chess against you. I want to thank you sincerely for the time you have taken for advice, information, ideas and lots of good links. You were the right person to meet I think. I should normally also thank you for the conversation but I think that will continue. Squibber
PS: You are quite correct- Squibber has Noel-(no l). 
}
{
surfnsuds: Squibber, the pleasure is all mine! I enjoyed the game and the conversation! We shall meet again. Meanwhile, please challenge my friend racy to a game - he's a lively fellow with a good sense of humor. We used to work together, and how we play ukulele and chess together.
}
{
Squibber: Ah, now I understand! The mysterious "Uke club" that I had read about (sounded like free masons) was really your ukelele club. (I doubted it realy existed). How could that have passed me by? How dopey of me!
 Of course I can't turn down a challenge to challenge one of your friends when it comes from a good sole like yourself. My only question is - is he not already in one of the clubs in the SRC league & if not, why not?
 
}
{
Squibber: It is not possible to challenge racy as his challenge button is typed out. Must give up & go to sleep.
}
{
surfnsuds: Just send racy a PM and tell him I sent you... I am not sure if he;s in an SRC club
}
{
Squibber: It had already crossed my mind & I'm not too shy to do that but if you turn off your challenge  facility there is usually a good reason, like you don't want anyone else to challenge you, because you are already playing too many games. Isn't it like a notice hanging on the door of your hospital room saying "Please do not disturb"? Apart from that I noticed on your profile that you like cooking, question is do you like garlic? If so dso you know about Gilroy?
}
{
sthorwall: [kibitz]Don't mean to intrude on this sterling conversation; just wanted to thank you two fine gents for some pleasant Sunday afternoon reading material.  Cheers! :) [/kibitz]
}
{
sthorwall: p.s. By "pleasant" I mean "fantastic."
}
{
surfnsuds: Squibber, indeed, I do like moderate amounts of garlic, and I have been to Gilroy many times (usually on my way somewhere else!) I've been to the Gilroy garlic festival once, and it was fun. I did not try the garlic ice cream or the garlic wine. That's just a bit too adventuresome for me.

Sean, I am certainly glad you enjoyed our comments! it was a great game and a pleasure to converse with such a worthy gent as Mr. Squibber. And as far as racy's "no challenges" it usually just means he is busy with work and can't handle a lot more games. But if you send a nice note, he'll either sent you a challenge or let you know about when he'll be available to play.
}
{
Squibber: Interesting. I've got a copy of the recipe book collected at the first Gilroy garlic festival in 1979, a friend was giving it away during a house clear-out. These people are certainly not shy with the garlic. On Saturday I tried "Calamari a la Festival". You need 3 cloves of garlic for the sauce and one tablespoon of freshly crushed garlic for the calamari. Not one to be eaten before an interview or hot date.
 One of my guys who said he wanted to play is still AWOL. He is usually in touch as we are in the middle of a game. I've sent him a PM but he's not surfaced yet. I want to hang on a bit more until I hear from him, then we will be ready.
}
{
surfnsuds: Rightio!
}
{
Squibber: We're here, see forum.
}
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