[Event "Standard Chess League - Season Eight"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2013.10.02"]
[Round "-"]
[White "MazetaFighter"]
[Black "white bishop"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[ECO "B15o"]
[WhiteCountry "GRE"]
[BlackCountry "PHI"]
[WhiteElo "2007"]
[WhiteRD "72"]
[BlackElo "2256"]
[BlackRD "80"]
[GameID "339040"]

1. e4
{
MazetaFighter: Hello, enjoy the games.
}
1... c6
{
white bishop: Yes, let's enjoy our games. You play in other sites?
}
2. d4
{
MazetaFighter: I also play in ICCF, but other than that only here. You?
}
2... d5
{
white bishop: So far, I have played only in this site. I did not have the chance yet to try out the other sites recommended by fellow members.
}
3. Nc3
{
MazetaFighter: Do you play in a chess club? I don't, due to lack of time.
}
3... g6
{
white bishop: Like you, I do not play in a chess club. There are no chess clubs near my home. Was thinking of starting a chess club in the school where I study after talking with a few classmates who play the game. However, I may have to cross-enter or cross-register in another school next semester, because most of the classes I need to take are either in the evenings or Saturday. My husband does not allow me to attend night classes.
}
{
white bishop: By the way, I just emailed my paper to my professor this morning, so I am now on semestral break. However, since I am on partial scholarship, I need to accomplish a report for my school and a thank you letter, as required by them. 
}
4. h3
{
MazetaFighter: I see. I just thought it's a pity not to play in a chess club, because you seem to play at a fairly high level. I used to play when I was young (I'm 52 now) and I had reached a candedate master level then. But since I couldn't become better due to the lack of any special talent, I decided to play only correspondence chess.
}
{
MazetaFighter: I wanted to write "candidate".
}
4... Bg7
{
white bishop: Before I joined Scheming Mind, I have not heard or know anything about correspondence chess. 
}
{
white bishop: As part of its 50th anniversary celebration this year, our church held a Sports Fest, and I quickly signed up in the Bowling and Chess tournaments in August 2012 and have played in these tournaments last February 2013. Since I have not played chess for a long time, and I could not find someone who could play with me over-the-board, I began searching online for chess clubs, and that's how I came across Scheming Mind.
}
{
white bishop: Since I became a member in this site last October 31, 2012, I have enjoyed playing and chatting with members from all over the world. I think that I now like correspondence chess better than playing it over-the-board. With the chess clocks we have here that keeps adding time instead of reducing your time, the pressure one faces in an over-the-board game just isn't present in a correspondence chess game. Here, you have the luxury of time. Just remember to keep track of your time. You can even take a holiday here which is not possible in an over-the-board game of chess. 
}
5. Nf3 Nf6
{
white bishop: Your profile shows that you are play well in others variants. Maybe if I can lessen the number of games I have first, then I will ask you to teach me those variants you are good at.
}
6. e5
{
MazetaFighter: Yes, maybe you could try Makruk (Thai chess). It is not too different from standard chess and requires more strategy than tactics.
}
6... Ne4
{
white bishop: I want to share a poem I wrote when I was much younger (in my 20's). I wrote it in Filipino, and it's title is "Lingon", a Filipino word which means looking back, or reflecting on the past. It has 2 stanzas. I'll see if I can provide a Greek or Spanish translation of it.
}
{
white bishop: Just a brief background to the poem. When I was younger, there was a time that I became very depressed. At the height of my depression, I wrote this poem "Lingon".
}
{
white bishop: My poem has only 2 stanzas of 4 lines each. The original version of the poem which I wrote in Filipino ends in rhyme. However, if I translate it into other languages, then you will not see the rhyming words anymore.
}
{
white bishop: Below is the first stanza of the poem. (1st Line) ? ??a pe???e? t?s? ??????a (2nd Line) ?e? µp??? p???? ?a ep?st???e? st? pa?e???? µ??. (3rd Line) G? 'a?t? ?a ???e? t? ??? µ?? µa???? (4th Line) Sta ????a t?? µe????? ??µ?t??.
}
{
white bishop: Here is the 2nd stanza. (1st Line) ?a p????? t?a???d??? ?a???µe?a t?a???d?a t??? st?? a??a. (2nd Line) ?? ?a??de? ???e???? e?t???sµ???? st? ?e??. (3rd Line) ?? de? e?µa? a????p??, ?p?? e?µa? t??a; (4th Line) ?a?e?? de? ???e? pe??ss?te?a ap? t?? ????? µa?.
}
7. Nxe4
{
MazetaFighter: This poems sounds beautiful, although translation, even the best, always hides the nuances of the original language. Thank you for sharing your poem with me.
}
7... dxe4 8. Ng5 c5 9. Bc4 O-O 10. c3 Qa5
{
white bishop: Welcome back to our league games! You have been away from your games for a long time. You are already 11 days behind. You busy? My Old Testament 2 class already began last Wednesday. We will be studying about the Old Testament Prophets this semester. I cross-enrolled in another school for this course. I have also cross-enrolled at another school for an education course. However, the education class will begin next January yet.
}
11. Nxe4
{
MazetaFighter: It's really interesting. May I ask, are there any teachers of religion there who can use the Greek or the Hebrew language?
}
11... cxd4
{
white bishop: In my original school, our professors there all have doctorate degrees, and they are proficient in Biblical Greek or Biblical Hebrew depending on their area of specialization, whether Old Testament or New Testament.
}
{
white bishop: Forgot to inform you that those are the professors in the Biblical Studies Department of my original school. Only one professor so far doesn't have a doctorate degree, but he has a Master of Theology, an advanced degree which equips the degree holder to teach in seminary. My study program is with the Christian Education Department. If I pass my 2 courses this semester, I will have 6 courses left for a total of 21 units. I don't know if I will be able to finish the remaining courses next school year, although I wanted to, so I can graduate at the same time as my youngest daughter. Hopefully, she will be graduating from high school (Grade 10) in March 2015. Our school calendar here runs from June to March.
}
{
white bishop: What is your eldest daughter studying at the university? Do your daughters look like Asians or Europeans? 
}
12. Qxd4
{
MazetaFighter: It's nice that you have the courage to study at the same time with your daughter. It's never late. I also studied relatively late. My daughters look equally like Asians and Europeans. My eldest studies literature at the university.
}
12... Nc6
{
white bishop: What is your youngest daughter interested in studying at the university? My youngest daughter has 2 more years of high school to complete. Although she is still undecided what to study at university, it may be more likely related to science, which she says is her favorite. I have enrolled her in college entrance exam review classes which will begin in summer next year. 
}
{
white bishop: Now in the generation of my children, everyone wanted to get into the top universities, so tutorial centers that offer college entrance exam review classes are making good money. In my generation, we are not that conscious of schools before, as long as you are able to study in any college or university, that is quite good enough.
}
13. Qc5
{
MazetaFighter: Here in Greece the universities are all public and free of charge for undergraduate studies. However the grew of carnivorous capitalism worldwide doesn't tolerate that, so the governments and the professors, each one for their own reasons, have caused a lot of problems in the function of the universities. That means in the backgroun I see the private universities coming....
}
13... Qxc5
{
white bishop: A look at Wikipedia does reveal that Greece has quite a number of colleges and universities, most of which are based in Athens and Thessaloniki. There are ?a?ep?st?µ?a ?a? ????te??e?a and T.E.I. - ?e????????? ??pa?de?t??? ?d??µata. Yes, your constitution prohibits the colleges from operating as independent universities. However, it doesn't prevent these colleges from collaborating with foreign universities to offer degrees.
}
14. Nxc5
{
MazetaFighter: Yes, sure, but the fact is that these degrees are not oficially recognized so far. Of course I think things will change, anyway.
}
14... Nxe5
{
white bishop: Does Greece accept foreign students into its public universities? If I want to do my graduate or postgraduate studies there, then I think I must either get an undergraduate degree first in the Greek language, or gain a mastery and fluency in it. Otherwise, it might be difficult to study there. What do you think and advise?
}
15. Bd5
{
MazetaFighter: Yes, of course we accept foreign students. You should first learn Greek to a good level and then you can apply for an Erasmus. Are you interested?
}
15... Rd8
{
white bishop: Are there any graduate schools, seminaries, and universities in Greece where I can study Biblical Greek (and also Modern Greek), New Testament, &/or Christian/Religious Education? Then, will I be able to qualify for scholarships or any form of financial aid? I need to complete my Master of Arts in Christian Education first in Philippines. Let me know the names of possible schools, if you know of any. Right now, I have, based on my conservative estimate, about 3 semesters left, if there are no further changes in our Christian Education curriculum.
}
{
white bishop: Are you referring to Erasmus University or the Erasmus Mundus program?
}
16. Be4
{
MazetaFighter: I'm referring to Erasmus Mundus. As for the things you ask me, I'll ask and let you know. I guess in the Department of Theology in the University of Athens they teach Biblical Greek, although this form of Greek is already simplified compared to ancient Greek, which is taught in the Secondary and in the Department of Classical Studies. As for Modern Greek, it is offered to foreigners separately. There are programs, but I have to ask.
}
16... f5
{
white bishop: Okay. Thanks a lot for helping out! There should be no rush, however, on your part in obtaining the needed information, as these will be plans that are about 2 years from now, should it materialize. Also, knowing how busy you are, I don't want to take too much of your time. I just need the names of the schools, their departments and institutions, and the programs they offer. If these institutions have websites in English, then it would help greatly. I have to weigh the factors if I can leave family and parents behind and stay that long in Greece for a degree program. However, if it will not be too costly on my part, such as having scholarship or substantial financial assistance, I may likely be inclined to go there, subject of course, to my husband's approval.
}
17. Bc2
{
MazetaFighter: I hope I can help you find all what you need. I think religious education in Greece can offer a lot of posibilities.
}
17... Nf7
{
white bishop: Thanks in advance for any help you can offer! :)
}
18. O-O
{
MazetaFighter: What time is it there now? Here it is 8.40 a.m. and I'm going to work :)
}
18... Rd6
{
white bishop: It is 8:22 p.m. now in Philippines. I will join my parents now for dinner.
}
19. Bf4 Rc6 20. Nb3 h5 21. Rfe1 Bf6
{
white bishop: Hi, I joined "Yeaaaah - it's a Ballroom Blitz!!! :-) (no.3)" KO tournament. I'm inviting you to join me there. Since it's a KO tournament, it will not be as stressful as a double round robin tournament, as you get to play a maximum of 2 games each round. See you there! :) 
}
22. Rad1
{
MazetaFighter: Well, I have joined that tournament. I hope I can reach quarter finals.
}
{
MazetaFighter: If you are interested, and of course if you have time, I invite you to try Makruk (Thai chess). I have created a tournament here: http://www.schemingmind.com/minitournament.aspx?tournament_id=6888
}
{
MazetaFighter: It's not difficult. It is like standard chess, with the exception that the "Queen" moves only one square diagonally, the "Bishop" one square diagonally or one square straight ahead, the pawn only one square and always promotes to "Queen". 
}
{
MazetaFighter: That means the game is slow and more strategic than combinative.
}
22... a5
{
white bishop: I have never played Makruk yet, and I usually learn how to play a variant by challenging a player to a game and ask them to teach me the variant. And after I have gained confidence in the variant from playing a few more challenge games with different members, then that's the time I look for a tournament to join in this variant that I learned.
}
{
white bishop: I'm now learning how to play Atomic960. Give me time to learn Makruk first, before I join any future tournaments. I learned how to play chess960 in this site and am already joining such tournaments.
}
23. Nd4
{
MazetaFighter: Sure, I see. Personally I find chess 960 very useful because there is no memorized theory, but I don't play often.
}
23... Rc5 24. Ne6 Bxe6 25. Rxe6 Rb5 26. Bc1 a4 27. c4 Rc5 28. b3 axb3
{
white bishop: ?a?? ???st???e??a ?a? ??t???sµ??? t? ??? ?t?? se es?? ?a? t?? d?? ???e? s??!
}
{
MazetaFighter: Thank you! Season Greetings!
}
29. axb3 Rcc8 30. Kf1 Kg7 31. Rd7 Rd8 32. Rxd8 Nxd8 33. Re1
{
MazetaFighter: How was your Christmas?
}
33... Nc6
{
white bishop: ???a?, ta ???st???e??a µ?? ?ta? ?s??? f?t??!
}
{
white bishop: On Christmas eve, we had dinner with my husband's grandmother and single, unmarried sister. His grandmother is already bedridden. She can no longer eat by herself.
}
{
white bishop: On Christmas day, my husband, 2 daughters and I stayed home and played a board game which my husband had newly bought. In the evening, we had dinner with my parents at a Japanese restaurant. My eldest daughter was not feeling well and kept coughing and had colds, while I was experiencing diarrhea on and off.
}
{
white bishop: On December 26, I had to do some errands for my dad, then quickly arrive home to bring my eldest daughter to a pediatrician.
}
{
white bishop: Today, I got well from my diarrhea, but am having runny nose. I think I caught it from my eldest daughter.
}
{
white bishop: How did your spend Christmas with your two daughters?
}
34. Bd2 Ra2 35. Re2
{
MazetaFighter: I'll tell you. It's very late now in Greece and I feel too sleepy.
}
35... Kf7
{
white bishop: This morning, when I woke up, my runny nose stopped, but my diarrhea came back, so I ate an apple and 2 slices of plain white bread for breakfast. This noon, I only ate plain congee with a generous sprinkling of Chinese pork floss. 
}
36. Be3
{
MazetaFighter: Happy New Year! And how have you been recently?
}
{
MazetaFighter: By the way, here is also the "cold season". Almost everybody catches a cold and we suffer the same as you. :)
}
{
MazetaFighter: Do you boil the water there before you drink it? I remember everybody boils the water in Taiwan. I could't get used to it.
}
36... Ra1+
{
white bishop: I am not yet well. I still have fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius, with clogged nose and itchy voice with phlegm.
}
{
white bishop: In Philippines, water from faucets is not drinkable. We have water distiller at home. We also use an electric water heater. Those are our 2 sources of drinkable water.
}
{
white bishop: How did you spend your Christmas and New Year with your daughters? Do you just eat out together? Or do you get invited by other relatives in their home?
}
{
white bishop: After you divorced your Taiwanese wife, have you remarried?
}
37. Re1 Ra3 38. Rc1 Bd4 39. Bd2 Ra2 40. g4 fxg4 41. hxg4 h4 42. Kg2 e6 43. Bg5
{
MazetaFighter: I don't know what to play here, I have been very tired recently.
}
43... Nb4
{
white bishop: You busy with your work and studies? If you have too many games on this site, perhaps you need to cut down this year. Although standard chess and chess variants are considered games, they could be very exhausting mentally. 
}
44. Be4
{
MazetaFighter: This is true. Actually I have reduced the games I play.
}
44... Rxf2+ 45. Kh3 Nd3 46. Rd1 Be5 47. Bg2 Nf4+ 48. Bxf4 Bxf4 49. Rd7+=
1/2-1/2

