Author: Albert Silver
Date: 20:29:11 07/30/03
Go up one level in this thread
On July 30, 2003 at 23:11:54, Albert Silver wrote:
BTW, as an aside, Neil Kazaross has been ranked among the top 10 backgammon
players in the world for more than a decade.
http://www.world-backgammon-association.com/bg_giants.htm
http://homepage.interaccess.com/~chipoint/Giants.html
Albert
>On July 30, 2003 at 18:58:39, Mike Byrne wrote:
>
>>This is about 2 weeks old ...not computer chess but chess nonetheless
>>....Kasparov actually comes off looking classy in an obviously awkward
>>situation. Hope that trend continues.
>
>As I stated in the GammonLine forum (http://www.gammonline.com) where this was
>originally posted, I thought his behaviour was a disgrace. He is *only* 750
>rating points higher than Neil, and has the gall to complain because it has to
>be at least 830 points higher. What utter BS.
>
>Do you know how much he earns from these stroll-in-the-park exhibitions? I know
>as I've helped coordinate efforts to try to bring him to Brazil: $30,000 with
>all expenses paid (1st class flight, 5-star hotel, for his wife and team, etc.).
>Pfff......
>
> Albert
>
>>
>>
>>"
>>The Kasparov Simul in Chicago at the CBOE last night
>>
>>
>>Last evening Garry Kasparov came to the CBOE sponsered by Belzberg Technologies
>>and after an entertaining speech after the opening cocktail party, the charming
>>Kasparov put on a simul vs 24 players. The CBOE is the stock option exchange in
>>Chicago where I trade and help manage a trading firm. When I signed up for the
>>event it was requested that I sign an affidavit stating that I had never been
>>rated over 2000. However, the last rating I recall for me was 2084 and I signed
>>up anyhow while making that very clear to them. I didn't really expect to be
>>allowed to play, but my friends at Belzberg here in Chicago (my firm is a
>>client) managed to arrange it so I could, noting the Sid Belzberg is rated about
>>2050 and was playing. After a while it was time for us players to make there way
>>thru the crowded large room and register. I stated that I couldn't sign the
>>affidavit since I was rated over 2000 and the Belzberg staff said, "no problem,
>>Mr Kazaross, we have your rating written down by your name" (which I noted on
>>the list of players) I was handed a big sheet of paper with my name clearly
>>written on it and asked to pick a seat which I choose next to another backgammon
>>expert who's recently retired from trading. Each player and many guests were
>>given copies of Kasparov's book concerning his online game vs the world. (This
>>book is really good and very entertaining !) Anyhow, the games soon began and
>>Garry greated the players and choose e4 as his first move on most of the boards,
>>including mine.
>>
>>As I had studied I played d5 playing into my recent pet known the Scandanavian
>>Defence. Off course after making the rounds captured with exd5 and looked
>>slightly surprised when I played Nf6 rather than recapturing with the Queen like
>>most beginners do. He then played Nf3 and I captured Nxd5 and he followed up
>>with d4 and then had a slightly concerned expression on his face when I played
>>g6 to fianchetto and basically end up in the main line after he follwed with c4
>>and I retreated Nb6. Next from Garry came 6 Nc3 and I played Bg7 (not wanting to
>>play a line with an early Bg4. 7 h3 prevented any bishop development at g4 but
>>uses a tempo and simply went into another line I was confortable with and I
>>castled O-O. 8 Be3 was followed by Nc6 and 9 Qd2 was followed by my
>>counterattack of e5. He then played d5 and when he returned as I was reaching
>>for my knight to play the messy complicated Na5 line he rather nervously asked
>>me if I had a rating. I replied 2084 and he, not looking very happy, asked why I
>>didn't write it down in front of the board next to my name. I replied that no
>>one asked me too and that the Belzberg people knew my rating and only today OK
>>my playing since I am a client. He then stated that if he had known I was rated
>>that highly he would have played differently rather than getting into a very
>>theoretical line. Being aware of the 2000 cutoff I again appologized for the
>>misunderstanding and we quickly realized that the Belzberg staff had erred in
>>not telling people to write down their ratings (these were different people than
>>from the NYC event). I simply stated "I'm sorry for the confusion, I won't play
>>" and started to get up and Garry, reiterating that he'd have played differently
>>vs a rated expert, started resetting the pieces to the starting position and
>>said we can restart. Being rather shocked by this and what was over a minute of
>>commotion and confusion I knew the gentlemanly thing for me to do was to step
>>away and let someone else under 2000 play. (Also I didn't want to give up a nice
>>complicated and seemingly balanced double-edge position !)
>>
>>As I stepped away Kasparov's aid, a very nice gentleman approached me along with
>>Alicia Belzberg and we discussed what had happened and I said that I take no
>>offence and they appologized for their errors in not disclosing my rating to
>>Kasparov. I requested that I get to spend some time talking about chess with
>>Kasparov after the event and they agreed.
>>
>>By about 2 hours later Kasparov had finished off everyone else including the
>>1950 player who replaced me and sat down to dinner. His aid came to get me and
>>seated me next to him, bypassing a long line of players wanting autographs. I
>>asked for some chess advice and we discussed our final position a little bit and
>>I was photographed with him and shaking hands a couple of times. Garry realized
>>that it was not my intention to "smurf" him and that it was all a
>>missunderstading caused by inexperienced staff. (Anyhow..how can I smurf a
>>player over 2800 even if he is playing 23 other people ?!?)
>>
>>The autograph in my book reads...To Neil Kazaross..never be shy of your chess
>>strength. See you next time. G Kasparov (and dated) Chicago 07/17/03
>>
>>I arose and quickly went to the bar for my 5th drink with an ear to ear smile.
>>Earlier I had met Sidney Belzberg who dropped a couple pawns and resigned in the
>>middle game as he had no real play, and GM Dmitry Gurevich, who has lived in
>>Chicago for quite a while. We were looking at an advance copy of Kasparov's new
>>book about his predecessors who were world champions and it, indeed, is superbly
>>written and analysed along with much new analysis.
>>
>>So..I certainly had one of the most interesting evenings of my life and things
>>were just as good this morning at work !
>>"
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