[Event "Atomic960: 2014 Chess Variants Dropout Tournament, Atomic 960"] [Site "SchemingMind.com"] [Date "2014.04.13"] [Round "-"] [White "Squibber"] [Black "ufonaut"] [Result "1-0"] [Variant "atomicrandom"] [SetUp "1"] [FEN "nrkqbnrb/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/NRKQBNRB w KQkq - 0 1"] [WhiteCountry "ENG"] [BlackCountry "AUS"] [WhiteElo "1616"] [WhiteRD "204"] [BlackElo "1428"] [BlackRD "214"] [GameID "354608"] { Squibber: Alright Pommy Bob, you prisoner of the motherland in exile, how the devil are you? } 1. Ne3 g6 { ufonaut: Hey Squibber - enjoying the prisoner life (except when somebody mentions the ashes !) How you going? :) } { Squibber: Fine thanks. I know, The Ashes was very sad. After our heroic victory we should have been allowed to dwell on it for 2 years and I found it just awful that we played immediately again instead and got whitewashed. I guess it was all about money. Do you remember the story about the education minister who copied here doctorate thesis and had it revoked? } 2. c3 d5 { ufonaut: Yes, I em ember hearing about that one. Scandals go on - a premier here has just had to step down because he "forgot" getting a $3,000 bottle of grog from someone he then put up for a job :( } { ufonaut: Lots of Chocolate Bunnies in the shops - but rabbits are a pest here, so for the last few years they've (also) had Chocolate Bilbys (an endangered native Aussie) - great idea :) } { Squibber: So long as they don't get a taste for it and start eating real bilbys. The reason I mention it is that we talked about it during our Stanley game and she was recently in the news again. Having had her doctor title revoked she appealed and took the university to court. The case for some reason lasted over a year and finished recently. The outcome was that the university won and she lost her doctor title for good. She was a non-doctor for a few days before the University of Lübeck awarded her an honoury doctorate. It seemed that during her time in office she had awarded them a generous grant which the university said "had saved the future of this kind of research in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, for which she must be recognised........................" So now she is officially a cheat, copier, forger and numerous times lier, no longer education minister but once more a doctor, for life_ long this time. } 3. Qb3 Bxc3 { ufonaut: Wow - so she gave them money, and so gets a doctorate. Sounds like the university could just set up a website to do the same stuff ! What's worse is the grant would have been taxpayer funded - in other words she's paid for it with other peoples money. } { Squibber: That's about the size of it but it seems quite normal here. } 4. f3 d4 { ufonaut: Made a great move on a recent atomic960 game :). Then realised, THAT game wasn't one of my atomic ones ! } { Squibber: I thought my 3rd. move might have been reasonable then realised that game WAS one of my atomic ones. } 5. Nd5 Qxd5 { ufonaut: Australia set to take on the world at the Soccer World Cup again :). Unfortunately, being in the same group as Spain, Netherlands and Chile could make it ..... Interesting ! } { Squibber: It sounds unlikely but I have a lot of time for the socceroos. i remember watching them one time when they did really well and played against Italy in the start of the knock out stage. Italy had the ball in the Australian penalty area as a defender went to the floor. The Italian with the ball had to drastically change direction then run about 5 m before he could dive over the guy's leg. The referee still gave a penalty though and Italy won. Since then I quite like them. } 6. Bg3 e5 { ufonaut: Oh believe me, that memory is ingrained into the national psyche over here - almost as much as Maradona"s "Hand of God" is in England ! } { Squibber: I had just got back from Glastenbury when I saw Maradona punch that ball in. To be honest I only laughed. On the other hand I once watched a world cup match in a works canteen. On this occasion the Italian captain was actually sent off for diving in the penalty area. The shouts and applause were probably just as loud as they would have been if England had scored. } 7. Nb3 b6 { ufonaut: It sure does get emotions going ! Soccer is still the third "football" code over here (behind Rugby League and Aussie-Rules), but still got healthy support. They just had the A-league (Australia's "Premier League") final a couple of weeks ago, and packed out the stadium (over 50,000) (Brisbane -where I am - won :) ). That'll be well overshadowed though by the annual grudge match series shortly - Rugby Leagues "State of Origin" - Queensland vs NewSouthWales. } { Squibber: I know about that,do you go back to blighty oftenß } 8. O-O Bd7 { ufonaut: When my parents were around, we got back most years, but now there's a big rest of the world to explore :). And we're trying to get into the habit of meeting brothers half-way round ! } { Squibber: Good idea, won't be in England this August then? } 9. Rbc1 c6 { ufonaut: No - what's happening in August ? (I see the World Bog-Snorkeling Championships or on, but that's in Wales :) ) } { Squibber: I am thinking of trying to organize a SM Social Event at one of the Test Matches. I would not recommend you come to England specially for it though. If we get 3 guys it would equal the record. } 10. d3 Ne6 { ufonaut: Hope it works out - should be fun if you get a few. How are you letting folks know - can you PM to active UK members? } { Squibber: I won't bother doing that. A couple of years ago I arranged a SM social event in the middle of Manchester via a thread I opened on "Nothing In Particular". There was much intesest so I published a lot of information about meeting place, dates, program, accommodation etc. in the end nobody came. Actually there were 4 of us but only 2 from SM. The other I had persuaded to join SM a few days previously to make the numbers sound better and the others were his friends. We nevertheless painted the town red and got pissed. At the moment I was was just thinking of mentioning it to people I happenned to be talking to but perhaps I might invite a few more now you mention it. } 11. Rxc6 O-O { ufonaut: Shame when other people don't reciprocate the effort you put in - hope you get better luck with this one. Still, when I was a student in Manchester, there were some good spots for drinking, and curries ! My daughters a student now - media and mass communication - and passed the spot where I can help her ! Well, except lending her my camera for her photography assignments. Don't have a camera now :(. (True fact - she fell into the pool with it ! :( still passed her assignment, though !! } { Squibber: I think to be realistic they are virtual people here. They enjoy sitting at home in front of their PC somewhere in the world with their cup of coffee or can of lager but do not wish to get on trains or planes to go and meet each other. } 12. f4 Ng7 { ufonaut: People do like their comfort zones. All you can do is not put your hopes too high (or, of course, have an pre-paid-entry funded prize pool !!! Yeah. That would generate a tidal wave of people ... Running away ;) ) } { Squibber: I have no hopes either high or low due to experience. On the previous SM social event I attended, which Austin organized, there were 3 of us. In this case I was thinking of going myself and just thought I would see if anybody here fancied coming along. } 13. fxe5 f6 { ufonaut: Well, good luck with it - and make sure there are some good watering holes nearby :). Over here, there's too much XXXX and not enough Real Ale ! } { Squibber: I don't mind the odd schooner of Tueys but as you noted there are plenty of good pubs in Manchester. } 14. Bxb8 Nf5 { ufonaut: Yes, those - and the cricket - should be fun. Brusbane's in mourning - Queensland lost the first StateOfOrigin. We've won the last 8 series, we hate the idea of letting them have a go ! } { Squibber: Or was it Thuey's? Anyway we are also in mourning. Thursday was Farther's Day here and the sports club put on the annual party with beer tent and the traditional football match: Upper village vs. Lower village which we (Upper village) have won for the last 10 years. After 15 minutes or so something snapped in my calf muscle and I could hardly walk anymore. I was the 2nd. to be injured so I could not be substituted. We played with one less player and lost 4-2. Coach blamed me for not warming up properly. It's only a game, give NSW a chance. } 15. g4 Ne3 { ufonaut: It's Tooheys :). Some of theirs aren't too bad, with a bit more body than the standard lagers. A while back, I played Soccer six-a-side in the "corporate games" (a one-day event with lots of companies competing). Most teams had a squad of 10 or 12 there, so rotated regularly. We had 7. Then in the second match, one guy's hamstring went. We didn't win :(. But I managed to score half the goals of our team on the day ! (Ie Somebody else got one as well ;) ) } { Squibber: Tooheys, that was it. Best stuff I found in Oz from what I recall. It was not only the first time in 10 years that lower village won but the first time EVER, admittedly with some help fron the ref and our keeper. I don't mind because they are nice guys but we will not be able to make fun of them in quite the same way anymore. } 16. Rc1 Nc2 { ufonaut: I know the feeling. We have a guy at work who's an Arsenal fan, so always plenty of potential there ("did you hear about the Arsenal dinner set? Plates, but no cups" ;) ) . Now they've had to go and spoil it by winning the FA cup ! } { Squibber: I note Sri Lanka just beat us in the one day series. } 17. Bd5+ Kg7 { ufonaut: One days are fun, but I prefer the strategic appeal of the tests. Having said that, sometimes seems like they score more in the tests playing 20-20 style ! } { Squibber: I was never interested in 20-20 though I recall we used to play it at school. It started after I had left Blighty so I have never seen it. I used to love watching the One Days against West Indies when they were in their heyday, despite the results of course. But the ultimate form of cricket is the Test Match and the ultimate media for it is the Test Match Special. } 18. Bf7 Kh8 { ufonaut: I agree - 20-20 is just a good spectacle with no soul - pretty much like lots of the movies nowadays. } { Squibber: I can imagine that it is exciting but shallow. Neverless the next English Test Match starts on Thursday, have you noticed? } 19. e3 g5 { ufonaut: I didn't hear - so is that their first test series since the Ashes? They're favourites for this one, so interesting to see if they can start redeeming themselves. } { Squibber: Yes it is. I'm not sure why they are favourites after losing the One Day series. Anyway England are currently 127-4. } 20. e4 f5 { ufonaut: Looks like they've got a couple of long stretches to finish the day, though, so interesting to see how they go. AustraliaChile tomorrowAM our time - and some friends are saying they're going to watch AustraliaSpain on a screen in the CBD next week - at 2AM. Just as well they work in a coffee shop ! } { Squibber: The odds on Australia qualifying for the knock out phase but now be rather steep. Worth a flutter? As Denis Lillee and Rodney Marsh might say, it's a four hourse race. The Lord's pitch seems rather harmless and England still need 18 wickets at lunch on day 3. } 21. gxf5 g4 { ufonaut: I think Australia's odds weren't that great since the draw was decided - but hey, at least we're ahead of Spain :). SriLanka still battling on, but England look like they have a good lead. } { Squibber: The lead is currently 185 with 8 wickets left. Can that be decisive? I would not expect an early declaration after Sri Lanka scored over 500 in the first innings. One team would have to crumble, it is still nicely poised but I think the tendancy is drawish. } 22. e5 Kg7 { ufonaut: So a draw - but those last few overs look like they must have been a nail- biting time - especially the last. Just watched Germany-Portugal - should have been a powerhouse match, but Pepe deserves everything he gets. Gearing up for StateOfOrigin2 tomorrow :) } { Squibber: I watched the first half of the football match on tv whilst following the cricket progress on the internet. As the game started the outcome of the Test seemed safe enough and the football open but by half-time that had changed places, so I left the football and watched the end of the cricket on the internet. It was amazing. As the wickets suddenly started to tumble the atmosphere really got special. The number 11 was left to face the last over of fast bowling in the dark but blocked heroically, then was almost out on both the last balls. It could hardly have been more thrilling. As for Pepe I have no sympathy. Getting sent off for kissing the opponent with your forehead is just plain silly. } 23. Rf1 Ne3 { ufonaut: I just fast-forwarded the 2nd half (I recorded as it was on at 2am here), then went to the live Nigeria-Iran; 0-0 but both sides fighting for the 3 points to the end. Australia kept it exciting against Netherlands (hey, we were even in the lead for a while at 2-1) - and we're STILL ahead of Spain :). Just watched England crash out :(. Still technically possible to progress - maybe it's time the cup was win by a team that loses it's first TWO matches, eh? !! } { Squibber: Sounded good to me but we no longer have to bother ourselves with that. I watched the end of both those games. Sad for Australia, they looked like they were going to score and take the lead 3-2 but one minute later it was the other way round after a harmless shot from Holland found its way in. Costa Rica are pretty cool though. Anyway perhaps we will do better at Headingly, let's see. At the end of the first day we are 221 runs behind with 10 wickets left. A result looks likely this time. } 24. Rf6 Kh8 { ufonaut: England look like they've got a fairly commanding lead this time; let's hope they can keep that to a win. In StateOfOrigin, NSW win the second match (and so the series) 6-4 - could almost be a soccer score ! Interesting to see how Australia do against Spain - we did better against both the other teams than Spain did :) } { Squibber: Still poised but England must have a good chance from here. I would just love Australia to beat Spain. Last night we had a bit of a party. Our village football club had got a new strip. So we made a team photo then it was a suckling pig and free beer with the match Ghana vs. Germany on the big screen, it was a nice evening. } 25. Rh6 Rxf7 { ufonaut: Unfortunately, no chance so good that they can't just crumble :(. Wouldn't it have been great if Aus beat Spain (or even a draw would have kept us abbé them) but ah well. It's been a changing of the guard for us this year - but hopefully ready in 4 years time :). Thanks for the game :) } { Squibber: And how England crumbled! The 4th. day was just a disaster and though it looked good earlier now they suddenly look like losing the match and series, as well as the early exit from the World Cup. And Spain beat Oz too so not much to cheer about just now. } 26. Rxh7 { Squibber: Thanks for the game. } 1-0