[Event "Valentine's Day Special"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2010.02.18"]
[Round "-"]
[White "nevereverwin"]
[Black "aliwood"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "C77h"]
[WhiteCountry "ENG"]
[BlackCountry "ENG"]
[WhiteElo "1105"]
[WhiteRD "93"]
[BlackElo "1154"]
[BlackRD "62"]
[GameID "239390"]

1. e4
{
nevereverwin: Good Luck !
}
1... e5
{
aliwood: And you.
}
2. Nf3
{
nevereverwin: Thanks, from a basement in Manchester.
}
2... Nc6
{
aliwood: Good morning from a first floor sitting room in Middlesbrough.
}
3. Bb5
{
nevereverwin: Foggy & cold here, what a winter !
}
3... a6
{
aliwood: I'd rathr have this than all those gales we normally get. I guess being in a basement, gales don't affect you too much?
}
4. Ba4
{
nevereverwin: The basement is my work office, home is in Marple, beyond Stockport.
}
4... Nf6
{
aliwood: What a wonderful name, Marple, not Stockport.
}
5. Nc3
{
nevereverwin: Spoilt living here, at home for this move.
}
5... b5
{
aliwood: Well, I'm spoilt too, I work from home so no need to even commute unless I want to take the bike for a spin. Mind you, not today though. I don't have snow chains.
}
6. Bb3
{
nevereverwin: May I be as so bold as to ask what you do from home? I'm typing this in a basement office at Manchester Univerity,my work  involves fire and geotechnic research.
}
6... Be7
{
aliwood: Weeeelll, sometimes I tell people I run my own fashion design company, and sometimes I tell people that I knit and do sewing repairs. Both of which are true! I do one off knitted pieces, generally for weddings or christenings for people all over, but I also do simple clothing alterations for my neighbours as well. It depends who's asking and how much I want to astound them when I say I run my own business. People round here generally ask my better half what he does for a living, but not me. Odd. So, go on then, what is fire and geotechnic research? Sounds like something to do with the spread of flames and how to stop it. (Oh what a simpleton!)
}
7. Ng5
{
nevereverwin: Well the fire research at the moment involes having a 7metre by 2.5metre concrete floor slab on top of a large furnace, forming the roof of the furnace. Loading the top with a hydraulic jack and firing the furnace up to about 1000 degs.C. A lot of heavy work ! The Geotechnics (pinched from a website) It embraces the topics of soil mechanics, rock mechanics and foundation design. 

Nowhere near as artistic as yourself.
At home SWMBO is Lynne, and two offspring a lad of 19 and a lass of 14.


}
7... O-O
{
aliwood: Well, I wasn't always artistic. I did a maths degree years ago and I've always loved science, but random parts of it. Usually the bits that produce either pretty pictures or some interesting mathematical structure and I'll stand there and go "Oo, look at that sunflower, it's a Fibonacci sequence" and my better half, Mark, will simply roll his eyes and go "she's at it again". The poor chap, he's a computer network engineer, or he will be when he's finally finished studying for it. The man is a genius with computers and cables and things. We have no kids, but we do have a cat, Suzy, she's about as much work!
}
8. Nxf7
{
nevereverwin: I enjoyed maths at school, though my A level was in 1968 !!! Sometimes I wish I had done Maths at university rather than Mechanical engineering, fairly boring, or Modern History.
}
8... Rxf7
{
aliwood: Sometimes I wish I'd have understood it better though, most of it went over my head. History, now that I really like, I did an O level, waaaay back, that was mainly 1900 onwards, but my favourite time to study would be the bit I never did 1700 to 1900, all the exciting stuff happens then.
}
9. O-O
{
nevereverwin: For O level (1967) the history was Economic & Sicial History (1700 to 1910)fascinating even then at 15 !
(Bugger I'm nearly 4 times that now, grown man cries over a keyboard) I'm a member of Marple Local History Society...http://www.marple-uk.com/Marple.htm look in the Community pages at the bottom.
}
9... d5
{
aliwood: Please don't cry over your keyboard, you'll short it out. Interesting stuff your local history society. they have one here somewhere, but sadly I live in a place where people tend to set fire to their history and not look after things too well. Things are constantly redeveloped over here and even though most of the town is only about 200 years old, most of the oldest parts are gone.
}
10. d3
{
nevereverwin: Have you been playing chess for long ? I began over-the-board chess with Marple Chess Club in about 2005, took me a long time to win one game, & then only one. I find OTB chess a bit intimidating, pathetic I know. this form of chess is far more relaxed :-)

BTW Schemingmind has a Facebook account.
}
10... Be6
{
aliwood: Well, my dad taught me when I was about 10 or so, and I played him until I left home, and then I stopped playing really, although I used to play my Dragon32 computer at it sometimes! Then when the internet came into my world about 1998 or so I started look around and eventually came across email chess and finally found this place. I don't play very often on a chess board. Mark isn't a chess fan, but I play the son of a friend of mine every now and then, he's good. So now I play with just my screen, I prefer this to be honest, I think you're right, OTB can be intimidating. I am playing a game on here against someone who hasn't actually owned a real board or pieces for more than 20 years so we are not alone. I much prefer this style. More friendly, you have time to think, or work or whatever and the people on here are just great, especially at my end of the ratings ladder! lol. Facebook - I don't use it now. In my line of work I have no call for it, and to be honest, I have enough on my plate keeping up with my own life, never mind everyone else's.
}
11. Bg5
{
nevereverwin: Dragon32, probably priceless now ! Wonder if the is one lurking on eBay. The first computer we had at home, bought about 1991 had 4Mb Ram and a 100Mb hard drive. As for Facebook, I did create a page for myself, three friends & those are just people I play over on http://www.timeforchess.com as Tinmart69. Very rarely go to Facebook. But different for our 14 year old daughter Brody, loves it !
}
11... Nd4 12. Qd2
{
nevereverwin: Having your own business how good are you at relaxing come the week-end ?
an afternoon her of lab. classes with the great unwashed !
}
12... Qd7
{
aliwood: I don't have a weekend. I ensure I only work a maximum of four hours on any given day, so I sometimes will work Saturday or Sunday, but the rest of the time is mine to do with as I wish. Years ago I was a teacher, it used to take me until Saturday afternoon to calm down some weekends, then of course, I spent most of Sunday worrying about the coming week. Never again.
}
13. Bxf6
{
nevereverwin: Lynne did teach, though gave up when the kids came. she is now working for the Hospital Yeaching Service, which sends tutors out to those children at home after hospital treatment. Lynne lso has a couple of Private Tuition primary children, but is giving this up at Easter.
I'm just keeping my nose on the grindstone for now.
I did think of becoming a professional chess player, but reality kicked in, when I awoke.


}
13... Bxf6
{
aliwood: I used to do private tuition sometimes. If you get an enthusiastic student it can be great. Well, I spent this morning stacking logs for next winter. There's nothing nicer than a full wood pile.
}
14. a4
{
nevereverwin: Luck you having a wood burning stove (?). We have had conversations about moving to a smaller house, once, if ever, the kids have flown. May have to compromise the dream of a croft facing Atlantic storms !
}
14... Nxb3
{
aliwood: We have an open fire grate, although we do have the technology to cook. A wood burning stove is extremely high on the list of things to have in our next home. Can't do it here, wrong kind of housing, wrong type of people.
}
15. cxb3 Re8 16. exd5
{
nevereverwin: I see from your profile that you are a keen cyclist. I've been running since about 1981, though slowing down since 1987, and my progress now could hardly be classed as 'running' !
}
16... Bh3
{
aliwood: Ah I see, sort of walking very fast, eh? I don't think my knees would take it. I have cycled on and off since I was about 10. I've never owned a car, and neither have my parents, so cycling was the easiest, cheapest, fastest way to get about when I was smaller. Then when I met Mark, he introduced me to the idea of getting the bike to take the weight and using panniers so even the shopping gets done by bike now. Many years ago we discovered a farm shop where they did those 55lb sacks of potatoes, they were £5 at the time, much cheaper than our local supermarket. So we cycled down there with four panniers between us, bought this sack of potatoes and I left Mark to divide it up between the bikes while I went to pay. You can only imagine the look of disbelief on my face when I offered the money and the woman at the till said "As you've spent five pounds or more you can have a free box of eggs". I cycled home at about 5mph, trying to avoid every kerb, pothole and bump. Amazingly, I got them all home unbroken, but it was so funny.
}
17. Rfe1
{
nevereverwin: I started running in 1981, having done X-country at school. Managed to dip twice under 2hrs. 25min for the marathon, but for the last few years it's been going slowly. we used to have a small group that went running at lunchtime on the canals out of Manchester. But all those have involved have retired or moved on. Last year i was really f=getting back into it but acute pancreatitis put a stop to that for some months. caused by a gall stone blocking the pancreas, not a recommended condition. Love your tale of the potato collection . I did ride the bike to work from Marple rto Manchester for awhile, but the traffic put me off, I was scared at times , big girls blouse !
}
17... c6
{
aliwood: Oh no, traffic these days is scary. I'm not sure there's that much more of it, but it's all that much bigger and wider now.
}
18. dxc6
{
nevereverwin: The route I used to ride to work was the only road from Marple and beyond towards Stockport, lots of 'orrid lorries ! I admire you for riding in today's traffic.
}
18... Qxc6
{
aliwood: Ooo gosh, sounds awful. I try to stick to country roads where I can. We are going to move South in a few years to a village just inside the Moor where traffic is much calmer than here. Hopefully, it will stay that way.
}
19. gxh3
{
nevereverwin: Overcast today, but earlier this week far too nice to be here,at work, time for a walk and a visit to tea rooms for a brew and sticky cakes !
}
19... Bh4
{
aliwood: I did that on Sunday after marshalling a cycle event, and then again today when we went to get some bike tyres. It's a hard life, lol! Coffee and cake were free on Sunday too. I had a huge slice of a three layer ginger cake with cream filling and a chocolate flake topping. It was delicious.
}
20. Re4
{
nevereverwin: You lucky thing to have that cake ! at the AGM of the Local History society the committee bring along cakes for the interval. Found out this week that our house is now on Google Maps Street View, a good way to waste your your life away going round your home area ;-)
}
20... Bxf2+
{
aliwood: My dad sent me a link to my parents house with the note "check out the cat across the road" so when I did I spotted this huge rug like thing sitting on the doorstep. It looked massive. Still should be good for house hunting in a few years time.
}
21. Kf1
{
nevereverwin: I have a new desktop background. On a holiday in Scotland last year we travelled we reached as far north as Inverness. Whilst others went shopping I was let out on a the leash and found Leakeys second hand bookshop , wonderful, wood burning stove coffee, cakes, and soup to die for! http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/mudlark1/Scotland%20Jul-Aug%202008/?action=view&current=LeakeysBookshopInverness.jpg

If heaven is like that, I promise to be a good boy ! 
}
21... Be3+
{
aliwood: Ooo, wonderful. I love bookshops.
}
22. Ke2
{
nevereverwin: Whoops, white is looking into a deep chasm, nifty moves from yourself !
}
22... Bxd2
{
aliwood: Thank you, it's not often I get called nifty.
}
23. Kxd2
{
nevereverwin: A lucky boy am I, we arranged a holiday in Italy, Lake Garda and Venice at the end of October, when yours truly is 60. Any holiday plans for you and your t'other 'alf ?
}
23... Qh6+
{
aliwood: Well, a trip to see my relations sometime around my birthday might be on the cards. My gran is in her 90's and is threatening to come and see us. I wouldn't object at all if she were say, 75 but I think it would be better for us to go to her really. Other than that, I think it's just the usual hop on the bike and go somewhere for the day. I think I've seen Lake Garda in some of the coverage I've seen of cycle racing. I recall it is quite nice. Mind you, it's Italy. I've never heard a bad report about the place except for the driving.
}
24. Ke2
{
nevereverwin: One of my highlights of the year is watch the Ligget & Sherwin Tour de France coverage. Usually record it to watch later with feet up, jobs done !
}
24... Qh5+
{
aliwood: Ooo yes, Phil and Paul are great. I usually get Eurosport coverage as well with Dave Harmon and Sean Kelly. This week I am catching highlights of a race in Catalunya. Ooo, the scenery should be marvellous. I have seen so much of Europe thanks to watching the cycling.
}
25. Kd2
{
nevereverwin: I see therebe some coverage on BBC2 tonight of World Championship Cycling, and las night Mark Beaumont traversing the Americas on BBC1
}
25... Qg5+
{
aliwood: I watched that last night, some good stuff happening there.
}
26. Kc2
{
nevereverwin: Any plans for Easter ? We are off on a coach holiday, don't laugh :-), to Banbury the days in Oxford, Stratford and Windsor.
}
26... b4
{
aliwood: Easter? Well, may go out and try and see some steam trains, they go past on their way to the local preserved line sometimes. Maybe do a bit of cycling and more Spring cleaning and knitting. Hey, I have nothing against coach holidays, good for you. I think it's always good to know your own country. I've only ever passed through all the places you mention so feel free to give me a report when you get back.
}
27. Ne2
{
nevereverwin: The hotel we are stopping at has excellent reviews and Lynne is looking forward to 5 days not preparing meals !!
}
27... Rc7+
{
aliwood: Ooo, it would be the five days with no washing up that I would enjoy.
}
28. Kb1
{
nevereverwin: Eh, lass thar is putting under pressure 'ere !
}
28... a5
{
aliwood: I do believe that is the idea. :)
}
29. Ka2
{
nevereverwin: No surrender ! Well played in t'other game, it's yours.
}
29... Rd8
{
aliwood: Thank you, it was a good game. This one looks a little more tricky though.
}
30. Rc4
{
nevereverwin: We were in Buxton last night at the theatre,Buxton Opera House, and snow was around, bloody cold too !A wonderful old theatre. http://www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/about/history-of-buxton-opera-house
}
30... Rxc4
{
aliwood: I remember going there years ago, there was a bring and buy sale on. My parents took me to see the steam railway, I think my dad still owns an inch of track or something.
}
31. dxc4
{
nevereverwin: we saw Hull Truck Theatre's 'Me and Me Dad' http://www.hulltruck.co.uk/on-tour/on-tour-now T'was brilliant, well observed and funny.
}
{
nevereverwin: way on holiday, plenty of time to plan my downfall !
}
31... e4
{
aliwood: I shall do my best. Enjoy your trip.
}
32. Rg1
{
nevereverwin: Thanks for your patience during the looong wait .
}
{
aliwood: Apologies everyone, I have gone down with RSI hence my very slow play this past week or so. The pain is starting to go away now so expect normal service shortly.
}
32... Qe3 33. Rg2
{
nevereverwin: Sorry to hear about your RSI, caused by knitting ? Must be a smart move for white here, but can I find it !!
}
33... Rd3
{
aliwood: Pain caused by too much chess, well actually, it's because my chair is too low to the computer. In the normal course of events this is fine, but when you're constantly mouse clicking to play chess, well it's not. The good side to this is that I am now considering voice command for the computer, which would be a far better option for most of what I do. On your good move for white point, I think I would have gone with Rg3, but it's a tough position you're in there.
}
34. Ng3
{
nevereverwin: Ah yes I did think of that Rg3 move but for some unknown reason made a less positive(silly) choice. I guess it will be curtains for white before too long but "Better to die standing up than to live kneeling down!" La Pasionaria: Spanish Civil War
}
34... Rxb3
{
aliwood: Good quote. Well, I believe we still have a few moves. How was your holiday?
}
35. Nf5
{
nevereverwin: Wonderful thanks, excellent hotel and the coach driver was that too ! We had a trip out each day. O on the way down we stopped Stratford-upon-Avon, as it was Easter-Sunday the peculiarity was having all the shops closed, apart from one or two. Just like the Sundays of my youth.Hancock's Half Hour had an edition about the boredom of a Sunday Afternoon in the 1950's.
}
35... Qf3
{
aliwood: Well, sounds like you had an exciting time! Easter Sunday is just like that up here. You see the odd person wandering around wondering what to do. I remember the Hancock episode you mention there. I haven't seen it in a while but it was spot on. I guess Sunday was boring for everyone. I went cycling yesterday (and Friday), we went to see a steam train, great fun.
}
36. Nd4
{
nevereverwin: Sounds like great fun. I had a week-end with Brody as Lynne was off up to Newcastle for a reunion with  college friends. the first time all three  of them had been together for more than 35 years !!
Saturday we took the train to Sheffield to have a butchers. 
}
36... Qxg2
{
aliwood: Oo, sounds good. I am off to see yet more trains this weekend. It's nice living en route to a steam railway, lots of things going on all the time. Good move, by the way.
}
37. Nxb3
{
nevereverwin: Need a few more to get me out of the poo here ! Which line do you live by ?
}
37... Qxh2
{
aliwood: Middlesbrough to Whitby, the engines come this way to get to the North Yorkshire Moors Railay at Grosmont, which I very highly recommend.
}
38. Nxa5
{
nevereverwin: Sounds good ! Have had an intrest in railways since my trainspotting days in the 1950's.
Broadband:At home we are on waitrose Broadband, as they give the profits to a charity of your choice. But I think we may change over to O2 as their Broadband at home seems a very good deal at £20/month for line rental, free calls and unlimited broadband.http://www.o2.co.uk/broadband/homephone/
}
38... e3
{
aliwood: Ooo, sorry. I meant to write something, so focussed on the game. We have Virgin broadband here, well, we had NTL, but they got taken over. We have the medium broadband package for £25 a month. We started on a £0 a month package and until we moved the phone last year. We had so many free upgrades it was unreal. We still pay less than having BT for the phone. I would never use Orange if that ever came up. Mark used to work for their callcentre. It was awful!
}
{
aliwood: Sorry everyone I'm still having a serious problem with my hand.
}
39. Nb3
{
nevereverwin: Sorry to hear about your hand, no rush in replying to this numbskull move !
}
{
aliwood: Apologies for the delays folks. I have bursis (sp) in the joint below the nail in my right index finger. This means I am unable to do virtually anything with my right hand.It's also very painful. I can play, but please excuse any short comments. Typing with my left hand alone is v-e-r-y s-l-o-w and tiring.
}
39... e2
{
aliwood: Thanks for the game. Would love a rematch. One or two games?
}
{
nevereverwin: Thanks for offer, two one each as white ? Martin
}
{
aliwood: Sure thing, it won't let me challenge you though, are you able to challenge me?
}
{
Game Over: Take care.m
time to fall on my sword !
Fancy a rematch ?
}
0-1

