“The daylight broke and withstood the first test, but twilight's eve was sublime bliss as the Chess pieces finally awoke... Now they danced and pranced the night away!”

- Mal

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<<< Table of Contents >>>

■ Current CHESS Events ~December~ 2010
■ (special events, unique events & archives) ■ C O O L * C H E S S * W E B S I T E S
■ Tribute to the 11th WCC GM Robert J. Fischer • Mal's profile...
• Postscripts
• Special Thanks
• Special Notes
• Betting/Congrats Quote of the Month
• Profile, Chessforum & Player's page updates
• Special Announcements

The <Current CHESS Events> with updates as to my second mysterious disappearance posted on Dec 10th! (see the prologue preview directly below). Further updates (Dec 15th): I'll be posting again soon. :) What I recently lost took a lot out of me but I'm slowly finding the screws that keep my head on top and intact! ~lol~ ;)

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<< Current CHESS Events for ~D-E-C-E-M-B-E-R~ >>

<To all>: please read my current post made on December 10th with updates as to my current status. My sincere thanks to everyone for both your kind concern and understanding! :))

PS: Yes, this is still in the works -- sometime in the near future I'll be posting my full tribute to honor <"The Magician from Riga"> on the occasion of the 74th anniversary of his birth! The 8th <"Chess Champion of the World"> - Grandmaster supreme Mikhail Tal :XD

I sure do bloody well miss him! =)

Misha is coming right here with his powerful words, lots of unique images & a story line in all its glory...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

That famous stare of his as Tal looks across the chessboard straight at ya! ;) This shot taken from Leipizg 1960.

Note: Both pics featured have a super-sized in effect just 'click' the mouse to see the full sized image! ;)

More to follow -- a small sampling of TAL teasers!!! ~lol~ ;)

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The current <SUPER GM> Chess events in play...

■ Women's World Chess Championship (2010)

The official website: http://wwcc2010.tsf.org.tr/ Games LIVE: http://live1.tsf.org.tr/

■ Russian Championship Superfinal (2010)

63rd Superfinal Russian Championship (Dec 11th-22nd) in Moscow.

The official website: http://www.russiachess.org/ Games LIVE: http://www.russiachess.org/online/i...

■ Bundesliga (2010/11)

This famous Chess league team matches is back in business from Oct 2010 to April 2011. The official website: http://www.schachbundesliga.de/

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Recent Chess events just finished and now archived...

■ London Chess Classic (2010)

Congrats to <SUPER GM> Magnus Carlsen taking sole 1st place with 13 points! :) Tied for 2nd-3rd WCC Vishy Anand & Luke McShane both with 11 points. In 4th place Hikaru Nakamura with 10 points (win over Kramnik) & in 5th place Vladimir Kramnik also with 11 points (loss to Nakamura). In 6th place Michael Adams with 8 points. Followed by David Howell in 7th place with 4 points and in 8th place Nigel Short with 2 points. Congrats to all the London Classic participants! :D

Official website: http://www.londonchessclassic.com/ Games LIVE: http://live.londonchessclassic.com/...

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<Special Note>: As the month moves slowly forward it's possible you might notice subtle changes in the details maintained in this 'archives' quietly removed to create additional space. Mal always runs this ship smack dab right on the very <"cusp of oblivion"> info wise. ~lol~

### << C O O L * C H E S S * W E B S I T E S >> ###

Otherwise known as...

<< Mal's ~C-H-E-S-S * H-O-T-L-I-S-T~ Essentials >>

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• Crestbook » http://www.crestbook.com/

• ChessPro » http://chesspro.ru/

• 64 » http://www.64.ru/

• e3e5 » http://e3e5.com/

• ChessMoscow » http://chessmoscow.ru/

• Russian Chess Federation [including 'live' games broadcast online] » http://www.russiachess.org/ » http://www.russiachess.org/online/i...

• Chess in Translation: Russian chess news and interviews in English » http://www.chessintranslation.com/

• Dana Blogs Chess [Russian to English translations] » http://www.danamackenzie.com/blog/

• Sina Chess News Blog [essential for those following events in China and the website is published in English!] » http://blog.sina.com.cn/chessnews

• Chessdom » http://www.chessdom.com/

• Europe Echecs » http://www.europe-echecs.com/

• Chess♔Vibes » http://www.chessvibes.com/

• TWIC » http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twi...

• ChessBase » http://www.chessbase.com/

• Daily Dirt » http://www.chessninja.com/dailydirt/

• Chess-Results [powered by Swiss-Manager] » http://chess-results.com/TurnierDB....

• ACP » http://www.chess-players.org/eng/in...

• Live Top List - Provisional World Chess Rankings » http://chess.liverating.org/

• ChessOK [Rybka Online] - Generally covers all major <SUPER GM> events & matches. » http://chessok.com/

• ChessBomb [Rybka Online] - If ChessOK (above) isn't covering it then C-Bomb is! » http://chessbomb.com/

<Note>: Be sure to take full advantage of the available translation websites (both are very easy to use) offered by:

■ Google » http://www.google.com/translate_t

■ Babel Fish » http://babelfish.altavista.com/

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A tribute to Robert James "Bobby" Fischer

11th World Chess Champion 1972-1975
March 9th 1943 - January 17th 2008

May he Rest in Peace.

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

A classic picture of Bobby Fischer. As taken from the Zurich International Chess Tournament 1959 (my scan from the beautiful chess book of this tournament). This next photo is the Bobby that I knew -- it's perhaps my all time favorite picture of him. :-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

Taken in New York (new picture updated taken on March 28, 1962). The last time I saw him was at the Piatigorsky Cup (1966) in Santa Monica during the Banquet Ceremony. Having the distinct pleasure of meeting Bobby on a one-to-one basis on the rest day between the Penultimate and Final round. Just Bobby, me and a chessboard with chess set up in his hotel room (on the 17th floor [I think it was] of the Miramar Hotel) for almost six full hours (I timed it -- 5 hours and 45 minutes exactly). It was a once in a lifetime chess experience that I shall never ever forget. ;-)

Someday soon I shall write the full story of my encounter, <'My Day with Bobby'>, to be published on the web as an exclusive. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later - as I still have many medical and personal issues to resolve in the many years ahead. Until the "deed is done" my sturdy chessboard remains standing with 1. P-K4 played... <Best by T-E-S-T!> :^)

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v...

His final resting place buried at the Laugardaelakirkja church in Selfoss, Iceland. My sincerest thanks goes to Einar S. Einarsson and <chessville.com> for their wonderful stories and pictures. If you are so inclined, please take the time to view and read this article... » http://www.chessville.com/News/Fisc... It covers "Bobby Fischer's Final Resting Place" in some detail.

<Special Note>: Please visit User: jessicafischerqueen enjoyable 'Profile' where she has created a shrine to Bobby with links to videos, pictures & games. One of the best RJF resources on the Net (link wise!). :^)

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<<< Mal's profile... >>>

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I've met with the following former 'World Chess Champions' and notables: Dr. Max Euwe, Vasily Smyslov, Mikhail Tal, Tigran (Tiger) Petrosian, Boris Spassky, and of course, Robert J. (Bobby) Fischer. Naturally I should also add the late great GM Paul Keres and the ever amazing GM Viktor Korchnoi. As well as GM's Nona Gaprindashvili & Zsuzsa (Susan) Polgar, including challenger WGM Alla Kushnir too! :)

I was truly honored recently when my dear friend IM John Donaldson (Director of the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club) decided to host a Chess tourney in my honor! :))

The 'Alan Benson IM Norm Tournament' <"Attached are the games from the Alan Benson IM Norm tournament held August 16-31 [Inserting: 2008] at the Mechanics' Institute Chess Club in San Francisco. [...] Best wishes, JD"> Thanks John! :)) See the MICC newsletters #412-#413 » http://www.chessclub.org/news.php?n...

The hot new Chess website 'Chessdom' is featuring a few of my unique chess stories on their homepage. » http://history.chessdom.com/alan-be...

http://www.chessdryad.com/articles/... I'm also a proud member of the "California Chess History - Hall of Fame" on the 'ChessDryad' website. Just scroll down near the bottom. Thanks to my dear old chess friends: Kerry, Richard, Frisco & Mark. :-)

Formally my good friend, Lawrence Totaro, ran a very interesting 'Chess Memorabilia' online website on MSN the 'Baysholis Chess Group'. This appears to have now been unfortunately dissolved by MSN Groups. I'll see what can be done to find his new haunting grounds - Chess memorabilia website wise! ;)

At one time or another the following titled chess players have all been very good friends of mine: GM's Walter (Shawn) Browne, James (Jim) Tarjan, Yasser (Yaz) Seirawan, Larry Christiansen, Nick deFirmian & George Koltanowski. Also, IM's Imre Köing, William G. Addison, Julio Kaplan, Elliot Winslow, John Grefe, David Strauss, John Watson, Vincent McCambridge, Marc Leski & John Donaldson. Note: George Koltanowski, Imre Köing and William G. Addison have all passed away and may they RIP... __________________________________________

My all time favorite non-chess quotes:

<“Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connait point.”>

(The heart has its reasons for which reason does not understand)

- Blaise Pascal

<“Brevity is the soul of wit.”>

- Shakespeare ('Hamlet', Act 2, scene 2)

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A monthly sampling of Mal's favorite chess quotes...

TBA! :)

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All the Best, - Mal
Berkeley, CA // U.S.A.
[ aka: Alan Benson ]

Twitter page: <<< http://twitter.com/Malthrope >>> Primary e-mail: <<< marspolaris@netscape.com >>> Secondary e-mail: <<< malthrope@yahoo.com >>>

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<<< ~P-O-S-T-S-C-R-I-P-T-S~ >>>

PS: My favorite chess players are (the short list): Morphy - Pillsbury (my first two chess heroes!) - all WCC's (notably the 'classical 15' and also add Bronstein, Keres & Korchnoi too) - Ivanchuk - Gelfand - Shirov - Morozevich - Svidler - Grischuk - Radjabov - Nakamura - Mamedyarov - Kamsky - Aronian & Topalov! Including the fabulous wunderkinds ~Carlsen & Karjakin~ :) Not to mention all of these very talented youngsters that I keep my eye on GM's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Anish Giri & Hou Yifan.

PPS: ~Amber 'Rapids & Blindfold' Chess Tournament~ is one of my all time favorite chess tournaments. In past years I was a devote "Blindfold" specialist having played Simultaneous Chess Exhibitions of 2, 3, 5, 8 & 10 boards. All of which were quite successful playing against a variety of mixed opposition from C-players to Experts! ;-)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... That's me playing two Blindfold Simul games against David Brooks (B player) and Pete Hyatt (C player) at the Cherryland Cafe. It took about 45 minutes (beat David quickly and drew with Pete). The pic is included with the addition of Richard Shorman's weekly 'CHESS' column published in the 'Hayward Daily Review' (July 13, 1975).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... The famous (or should I say 'infamous?') Cherryland Cafe (Hayward, CA).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... Here I'm pictured in the lower left-hand corner concentrating in my very first 5-board Blindfold Simultaneous Exhibition at the Duell Vocational Institute (1971). Shows the column from the 'Christian Science Monitor' (Frederick R. Chevalier - Chess Editor). Assisted by my old friend USCF Senior Master Jude Acres calling out the moves to me. Scored 3½-1½ (lost 1 and drew 1).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... Additional press coverage from the Duell Vocational Institute taken from the 'New York Times' (IM Israel Albert 'Al' Horowitz - Chess Editor) and also covered in the 'Hayward Daily Review' (Richard Shorman - Chess Editor).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... My old chess friend USCF Senior Master Jude Acres with his special report on the Duell Vocational Institute 'Blindfold Simul Exhibition' in 'Chess Voice' (April-May 1971, Whole Number 20).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... This flyer was used promoting a special 5-board Blindfold Simul in San Francisco at the Presidio Service Club (October 16, 1980). Assisted by my old chess friend Mike Goodall who called out the moves to me. I scored 3½-1½ (lost 1 and drew 1).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... The talented junior chess player Kenny Fong on 'Kids Watch' a TV special (the screenshots taken directly from a TV by Richard Shorman) and I was just there to help promote Kenny! The article taken from 'Chess Voice' Volume 4, Number 6.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... Oldie but goodie my former Bancroft Junior High School (San Leandro, CA) to perform a normal Simul Exhibition against an army of kids including my little brother David! (1967).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v... Finally, included with the above Simul a set of 'special instructions' with the players list (note a few kids joined in on the fun as soon as I mowed them down, so ended up playing about 37-39 kids total). Remember giving one draw to the strongest junior player! I'll let you guess the rest. :P

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This space now reserved to honor the recent passing of genuine Chess legends.

A special tribute to the recent passing of three bonafide GIANT's of the chessboard (two of which I've actually met) -- Granddaddy GM Andre Lilienthal , the former WCC GM Vasily Smyslov and GM extraordinary Bent Larsen ... May they R.I.P

Much more to follow shortly... Also, I'll make a special "Table of Contents" entry just for this one. :)

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<<< ~S-P-E-C-I-A-L * T-H-A-N-K-S~ >>>

A special thanks to all my friends here who have kindly befriended me and made this a much richer Chess website experience as a direct result! ;)

A hearty 'thank you' issued to <WannaBe> for once again hosting the annual Caissar awards held earlier this year. Having won for the 'Best Profile Category' and also 'Best Historian Category'. I'm truly honored to have won these prestigious awards for a second year in a row <sheepish grin exposed again> Thanks to everyone who voted for me to make this all possible! :))

My sincere thanks of appreciation goes to: <TheFocus>, <Mrs. Alekhine> (aka: Jess, <JFQ> and a countless number of other wonderful handles) & <Annie K.> for all helping me to keep my premium membership alive & well here on <CG.com>... You are the BEST - "hands down" - no question about it!!! :XP

Last, but certainly not least a very special 'thank you' to <CG.com> for increasing the size of our 'Profiles' to 24 kilobytes (first noticed it on August 28, 2010). I'll try my best to use it wisely in my constant battle against the <"cusp of oblivion"> problem. ~lol~ It's very much appreciated. :D

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<<< ~S-P-E-C-I-A-L * N-O-T-E-S~ >>>

For the foreseeable future I'll be paying strict attention to my medical, financial and disabled needs which seem to multiply like rabbits. I'm very sorry that I was unable to make good on some of my promises previously made. :( I'll see what can be done about that pesky little problem and continue to slowly plod along and play catch-up one bloody post at a time! <*wink*>

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<< ~Betting/Congrats Quote of the Month~ >>

TBA! :)

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<< ~Profile, Chessforum & Player's page updates~ >>

■ Profile updates posted Dec 15th: <Current Chess Events> with new info in, changed and/or deleted, corrected and/or updated. Basically it's just another way of saying that I've just fixed whatever was previously all screwed up! o_O

■ Chessforum replies posted Dec 10th (on page -76-) back to: <achieve>, <twinlark>, <JFQ> & <brankat> (Dec 10th posts) and to: <Travis Bickle>, <virginmind>, <gus inn>, <Benzol>, <Stonehenge>, <wordfunph>, <hms123>, <moronovich>, <Switch>, <Annie K.> & <chancho>, et al. ;)

■ Current replies on my ~ Alan Benson ~ player's & bio page posted Feb 12th to: <A Karpov Fan>, <Open Defence> & <moronovich> :)

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<< ~Special Announcements~ >>

Very soon now there will be a massive infusion of some of my best (and worst!) games to be unveiled in my player's & bio page. It has now become my #1 priority (after some personal affairs are taken care of) to finish this task that I've dreamt about all year long since my player's page was first created. I'm shooting for 70 of my Master games to start with... Thanks Kerry! [ aka: User: ChessDryad ] :) And, thanks a virtual ton also to our generous host Chessgames Home Page !! :))

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