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Aug-27-07
 | | Joshka: <Armakov> Hi Brian, Bruce here, thanks for the info on Calvin!..will you be holding another tourney this Labor Day weekend??..and will Calvin be attending if you do?...thanks again warm regards Bruce |
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Dec-23-07 | | Armakov: Hi Joshka. Sorry it took so long to return to this blog...To answer your first question, yes the Edgewater Tourney went on as planned. Unfortunately, Calvin was unable to attend this year as he was ill with pneumonia. There was a rumor going round that he chickened out and did not show because he heard that GM Shabalov was going to attend. However, Shabalov did not play in the tournament. He was there mainly to promote his weekly lectures in North Olmstead, OH. After talking to Calvin on the phone recently, he assured me that he was indeed ill and that he was actually planning on competing in the State Championship in Columbus and would not have shown anyway. |
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Jan-04-08
 | | Joshka: <Armakov> Thanks for the Calvin update!!....do you know if Calvin plays on the ICC?....also there is someone <chessamateur> posting today on the kibitzer's cafe section, asking about simul information. Maybe you know some of the details as to what it costs, to run one?.....looks like no Cleveland Open again this year....guess the ICC and other internet playing sites are really taking over OTB play around our neck of the woods...not that it was so good before, but the lack of tourneys that I can see, are pushing folks more and more to play on-line. thanks again for the info!!! |
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Mar-01-08 | | Armakov: Joshka, you're welcome! Concerning Calvin playing online...I do recall him telling me that he does not play online. Mainly because he does not currently have an internet connection, as far as I know. It would be cool to watch him play online however. Also, whether he wants to admit to it or not, it would improve his game I believe. Concerning simuls; I never was too voyeur in that way. I don't know how serious players find the time to observe others games, although I can understand the commaradarie of it. And yes, it is sad to hear that more and more players are becoming recluse these days. Not sure if it is a bad thing or not. The internet seems to be taking over more than just Chess however. Too bad about no Tourney in Cleveland. It's squelching my efforts! Personally, I like playing online better than at clubs for several reasons...One being the obvious; convenience. Plus you save money. Also, there are other advantages, like filtering games, or just playing an aburd number of blitz games in one setting. Or not having to smell your opponents garlic breath, ect. Until the next time, take care my friend. :o) |
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Mar-28-08 | | TonyRo: I've been playing Blitz with Dudley on a regular basis in the Starbucks on Cedar Hill lately. I never knew him in his younger days, but I hear he's stronger now than when he was young. I can attest that he's quite strong these days. |
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Mar-28-08 | | wrap99: I remember him from 30 years ago. An accomplished pianist and a very nice guy. |
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Jun-25-08
 | | Joshka: <Armakov> Thanks for responding, sorry this is so late. Happened to see Calvin at this months Cleveland Open, but was not able to chat with him. Had a chance to converse with GM's Lein and Shabalov, though and they even signed a book I purchased from Larry Rust. Great playing conditions, 2 boards per table!, as opposed to the traditional 3 boards. |
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Aug-18-08 | | Armakov: Hi Joshka. Been awhile since I've visited this blog as well... A signing by Shabalov eh? Nice. As aforementioned, he was at the Edgewater Chess Tournament last year where I had the honor of meeting him. Very nice, down to earth guy and speaks very good english I might add. By the way Joshka, you are more than welcome to attend this years Edgewater Tournament if you like. It is held on Labor Day (Sept. 1st) at noon. It is an Open, Unrated event. The entry fee is only 10 bucks, which basically covers the cost of food and beverages. You never know who is going to show. Blocker has come to 3 tourneys, however I don't know whether he will be there this year. Until next time, take care my friend. |
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Mar-01-13 | | waustad: I just looked at his FIDE card, and he played some FIDE rated games last that were listed in the October ratings. Those were the only FIDE rated games, I'm not sure about USCF. Their site seems to hang during the search. |
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May-11-15 | | bismuth: Calvin is fairly well known as a teacher as well as a player. I believe the last few years he's been giving lectures at the Case Western Reserve University, in Cleveland. |
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May-11-15
 | | HeMateMe: He shielded himself against religions... |
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Aug-01-15
 | | sakredkow: He just finished competing in the Dayton Masters FIDE round robin at the Dayton Chess Festival. From a release from the Dayton Chess Club: At the closing ceremony IM Blocker and GM Xiong were each awarded $250 for the most exciting game of the tournament which matched the oldest player with white against the youngest with black. Even though it ended in a draw it was selected as the most exciting game of the event. |
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Jan-13-18
 | | Joshka: >Armakov> Hi Brian was there a Cleveland Open last August??Anyone with any updates on IM Blocker? thanks in advance! |
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Apr-30-18 | | bismuth: @Joshka
There was a Cleveland Open last August, though Blocker didn't participate. The winner was OSU Student Mika Brittain, a strong FM. Calvin doesn't play much tournament chess any more, though he does give the occasional simul, and he did play in a Chicago vs. Cleveland team blitz match last summer. http://www.thechessdrum.net/blog/20... |
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Apr-30-18
 | | Joshka: <bismuth> Hey thanks for sharing that info, and posting the video from that Chicago/Cleveland Tourney!! Really appreciate it!! |
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Apr-30-18 | | Marmot PFL: Calvin was a little high strung but I never thought he would pull out all of his hair. |
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Apr-30-18
 | | Joshka: <Marmot PFL> Have seen him at the board during crucial parts of his games, and yes he really gets very intense!! |
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Jun-26-18 | | wrap99: This was a link within the article bismuth posted: https://www.clevescene.com/clevelan... |
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Jun-26-18
 | | Joshka: <wrap99> Thanks for posting!! One would think as Ohio's only home grown IM, there would be more info and articles. Wish there was more match play to create chess interest! Having a guy like Blocker matched against another IM in say a long 16 game match!! Oh well thanks again!! |
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Mar-24-19
 | | Joshka: Any news about our only home grown IM is much appreciated!!! thanks in advance! |
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Jul-21-20
 | | Joshka: Well another year gone by and still no news on Ohio's only home grown IM :-( |
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Jul-21-20 | | Howard: Speaking of home-grown Ohio matters, does anyone know if the annual Ohio Chess Congress will be taking place this year ? |
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Sep-09-20 | | pazzed paun: <Joshka> you need to listen to perpetual
Chess podcast with adult improver
Stacia Pugh
IM Calvin Blocker and lesson with. Him are mentioned several times |
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Sep-22-20 | | bismuth: @Joshka, Calvin played in a tournament this month actually: https://www.chess.com/blog/rk12387/... |
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Oct-18-20 | | bismuth: He just took first place at another local tournament. Could he be eying a comeback? https://www.chess.com/blog/rk12387/... |
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