[Event "Challenge from Mitch The Man"]
[Site "SchemingMind.com"]
[Date "2005.02.06"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Barbara"]
[Black "Mitch The Man"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "D21a"]
[WhiteCountry "ENG"]
[BlackCountry "USA"]
[WhiteElo "1512"]
[WhiteRD "135"]
[BlackElo "1292"]
[BlackRD "94"]
[GameID "8357"]

1. d4
{
Barbara: Thank you Mitch for your invitation.  Let's get this show on the road!!
}
1... d5
{
Mitch The Man: I'm with you on that one, Barbara.  Good luck in this game, though I'll probably need it more than you.
}
2. c4
{
Barbara: Don't you believe it Mitch!!!!!!!
}
2... dxc4
{
Mitch The Man: You obviously haven't seen my ranking.  :-)
}
3. Nf3
{
Barbara: I haven't a clue what my ranking is - I never think to look. I don't usually bother with them.
}
3... b5
{
Mitch The Man: I check at the beginning of every month, just to get depressed and hope it inspires me to play better.
}
4. e3
{
Barbara: For how long have you been playing this irritating game Mitch?
}
4... Bb7
{
Mitch The Man: I played off and on for about 25 years, until I discovered email chess.  I can't say I'm an overly serious player because I've tried reading the books but don't understand them, but I have played way more often over the last 8 years.  What about you?
}
5. Be2
{
Barbara: It is a game I have been meaning to learn for most of my life, but never seemed to find the time to get down to it.  I taught myself (bet you are saying  "it looks like it") to play about 3 years ago and since then I have just loved it.  I am a
'Silver Surfer', being a retired Medical Secretary. I enjoy reading chess books and playing through the games of GM's but it is easy to get books that are way out of my depth!!!!
}
5... Nf6
{
Mitch The Man: You were a medical secretary, and a part of my business is in healthcare, revenues and receivables.  Small world!  I find that I miss the big concepts of the game, which trickles down to the nuances.  There are moves that make big sense to me that those who study the game cringe over.
}
6. b3
{
Barbara: I have 'met' one or two people in the medical world since playing on-line.  This is not the only site on which I play, but there are some friendly folk out there.
There are also some nutcases!!  I cannot stand it when they talk to me in text messaging.  I tell them from the start "I don't do text messaging".
}
6... e6
{
Mitch The Man: Text messaging while playing chess?  I don't know any sites that have that.  I also play on net-chess, which is now called slo-chess.  But those are the only two places I play, which, in their own way, model email chess.  I tried a couple other places, but I hated when, if someone was losing, they'd just quit the game.
}
7. O-O
{
Barbara: I am afraid walking away from the game is common in e-mail chess. I usually pay and become a member then, if I have the time. I play in a small tournament. They don't seem to walk away from those games quite so much.  Currently, my house is for sale, so don't want to get too involved with a tourney.
}
7... Be7
{
Mitch The Man: That's why I play in the few places I do play.  If the person abandons the game, eventually I get the points for it, which is preferable.  I never quit a game in such a fashion; I'd rather officially resign and start anew.  I guess it's a matter of integrity, if you know what I mean.
}
8. Nbd2
{
Barbara: I know exactly what you mean Mitch.
}
8... Ne4
{
Mitch The Man: Did you work in hospitals, or for physicians?  And, why chess as opposed to any other games?
}
9. Nxe4
{
Barbara: When I was young lass (a long time ago!!!) my father tried to teach me the game of chess, but I really didn't find the time in my busy life to sit gazing at a chess board.  However, all my life, practically, I have had this 'thing' that it is a game I MUST learn so approximately 3 years ago I got a book, sat down and learned the rules and, since then, I have been hooked on it.  I love the feel of the wooden chessmen.  I like anything made from wood.
Yes, I worked in a hospital (The Derbyshire Royal Infirmary) When I started in 1952 there were 4 of us in the office, so we worked for all the Doctors, except Orthopaedic (who had their own)  That included gynae. dermatology, general physician, general surgeons,
ophthalmics, ENT.  Latterly I worked for one general physician who specialized in
gastroenterology and one general surgeon, who did a lot of gastric surgery, ERCP's and thyroidectomies.
}
9... Bxe4
{
Mitch The Man: A big part of me is wondering how different it is being a medical secretary in a country that has socialized medicine, as opposed to being in America and having to deal with so many rules from so many different insurance companies and so many different states, including the federal government.
}
10. bxc4
{
Barbara: I would imagine the insurance paperwork is a nightmare.  My work dealt with Consultants and their teams, General Practitioners and patients.  Litigation must play a large part of daily work!  It is gradually spreading over here.  When one thinks of the size of the US, comparing in to England, which would just fit into Florida alone!
}
10... bxc4
{
Mitch The Man: I'd say you had it easier, except I know it's never easy when you have to deal with the egos of physicians, no matter what country they're in.  :-)
}
11. Bxc4
{
Barbara: Are you playing any other games on this site Mitch?
}
11... O-O
{
Mitch The Man: Yes, at present I have two other games going, and I'm not sure I'm doing all that well in either one.  I had two others set up, but the opponents never started so I'm going to try again.  What about you?
}
12. Bd3
{
Barbara: I have one more game on this site; 4 on Chessworld.net and one on Stan's Netchess.
I enjoy going to World Chess Network to watch GM's when they are playing.  It is a bit like watching paint dry but it is enjoyable trying to read their minds!!
}
12... Bxd3
{
Mitch The Man: I tried watching some grand masters play on TV once years ago, but most of the time had these commentators projecting what they thought the next move would be, and that got tiring fast.  I play on Net Chess myself; not bad at all, but my rating there is 1778, and in reality I don't think I'm quite that good.
}
13. Qxd3
{
Barbara: I don't think I would be very good at blitz or bullet chess.  I cannot think quickly enough these days.  Ask my name and I will tell you minutes later!!!!  Is Netchess the same as World Chess network?
}
13... a6
{
Mitch The Man: No, I don't think so.  It's net-chess, so maybe there's two different organizations.  Heck, there's tons of organizations!  :-)
}
14. Ba3
{
Barbara: Yes, I have tried several, including IYT, GameKnot,Atlantic Chess, Stan's Netchess.  I have found the one to which you were referring; it is different.
}
14... Bxa3
{
Mitch The Man: Truthfully, my favorite chess is email chess, because I don't have to get onto the internet to play those games.  
}
15. Qxa3
{
Barbara: I didn't quite understand your last message Mitch.  You say your favourite chess is e-mail chess because you don't have to go on the internet to play.  Can you clarify this for me?
}
15... Re8
{
Mitch The Man: With the IECC, you play your opponents via email, as opposed to signing onto the internet and playing on a board, such as what we're doing here.  So, email comes, and I just make a move and send it back.  With this and some other places, I get an email telling me my opponent has made a move, and I have to open a browser and come here.  It's not bad, but email I can pretty much do from anywhere, whereas I have to be home most of the time to play online.
}
16. Rac1
{
Barbara: So you receive your moves in pgn?
Do you have snow at the moment.  We have a covering and are expecting more.  Hope it melts quickly.  I hate it!!!!!!!!!
}
16... Ra7
{
Mitch The Man: Yes, exactly, that's how I get it.  And I use this program called Ectool for the moves.  Do we have snow?  We've gotten 5 inches a day the last 3 days in a row!  :-)
}
17. Qc3
{
Barbara: Oh, you poor things.  All that snow.  I never have liked the stuff.  I would not enjoy a skiing holiday.
}
17... Re7
{
Mitch The Man: Well, we just get used to it, as we get lots of snow.  I've lived in places that have gotten even more snow than where I am now.  I don't really mind; my wife, however, would lovoe to get out of here.  :-)
}
18. Rb1
{
Barbara: Where would your wife like to live?  In the US I take it.
I have been to Florida on 9 occasions, as my friend used to live there, being married to a retired Colonel in the USAF.  I DID enjoy Fla.  Mmmmmm the warmth.  The only thing I didn't like were the cockroaches!!  Ugh!  Larger than anything we have, although we do have a stag beetle, but not in the house!!
}
18... c6
{
Mitch The Man: She keeps saying she'd like to move to Arizona, but she's never been there so I don't know why it's so much on her mind.  She knows I won't go, though, so I have to make it rich so I can send her, and visit from time to time.  :-)
}
19. Qb3
{
Barbara: Now that sounds like a good idea.  I think you have cracked it!
It is Black Thursday for me to-day.  My house has been up for sale since last September, and I had my heart set on buying a bungalow in a small town nearby.  However, to-day I heard that I have lost this bungalow.  It was just what I wanted.  It is a miserable, dark Winter's day to-day and I now have a monkey on my back!!
}
19... Reb7
{
Mitch The Man: I'm sorry you lost out on your bungalow.  It's tough when you have a dream that close and it slips right from under you.  I hope you can find another one that comes close.  Hey, I won't tell you that it hasn't snowed today and that the sun was actually out; don't want to depress you more.  :-)
}
20. Qc2
{
Barbara: The sun - oh what a wonderful sight that must have been!!  Things seem so much easier to bear when the sun is shining.  I would be no good as an Inuit - going for months without the sun.
I don't think you could depress me more than I am!!!!
Never mind, I am sure as one door closes another will slam shut!!!!
}
20... Rxb1
{
Mitch The Man: Ah, but you forget the other side of things, which is being in a place like Iceland where they get six straight months of sunshine.  Live in that, and you'll be begging for the darkness every once in awhile.  Hey, I have a new blog; check it out here:  http://www.ttmitchellconsulting.com/Mitchblog
}
21. Rxb1
{
Barbara: Yes, I'll check it out, but what's a 'blog'?
}
21... Qc7
{
Mitch The Man: Well, in my case, a blog is where I talk about different topics that relate to all the business types of things I offer.  For some, it's kind of an online diary most of the time.
}
22. Ng5
{
Barbara: Is 'blog' short for something?  I went to your website and decided that, if I decide to return to work, I will seek your advice - but don't hold your breath in the meantime!!!!!!
}
22... Nd7
{
Mitch The Man: That's funny!  Actually, blog is the short version of "webblog"; not very exciting.    And I won't be holding my breath, because I like living too much.  :-)  But share with people you think could use it; like almost anyone who's a supervisor or higher!  Looks like you're feeling better now.
}
23. Qxh7+
{
Barbara: I think I still some some R & R!!  I think perhaps a month in Fla. would do me the world of good. I tried to
book a viewing appt. this a.m. for another bungalow, but it has been sold in the meantime!! Rats!!!!
}
23... Kf8
{
Mitch The Man: You're not doing well with this bungalow thing, but I know the one that's definitely for you will show up when you least expect it.  
}
24. Qh8+
{
Barbara: I contacted several Estate Agents (Realtors to you!) and asked them to send me all they had on bungalows in the area in which I hope to live.  I shall have paperwork coming out of my ears!
}
24... Ke7
{
Mitch The Man: One has to sometimes take the bull by the horns and get it done on their own.  That's what we had to do when we were looking, and we found this house instead of the realtor.
}
25. Qxg7
{
Barbara: One of my problems re. area in which to live, is that I have mobility problems and rely on my sister.  My dear friend died last year at the age of 63 of a brain tumour; I miss her, and she was a wonderful help to me.
}
25... Kd6
{
Mitch The Man: I'm sorry to hear about your friend.  Mobility issues don't sound pleasant at all, especially in cold places.  How would the bungalow help you?
}
26. Ne4+
{
Barbara: I wouldn't have to climb stairs to beddibyes!! It is a new bungalow, recently built.  I just have to sell my place.  However, I do have a hopeful viewer on Sat. a.m. - an 80+ widower.
It is possible he will be a cash-buyer.  Please keep everything crossed for me - not too much, as you may cause some discomfort!!!!!!
}
26... Kd5
{
Mitch The Man: I'll definitely be pulling for you.  We live in a ranch, and it's the best thing in the world, though I never would have thought that before moving into one.  
}
27. Qxf7
{
Barbara: Thank you Mitch for 'pulling' for me!  I have a good feeling about this bungalow, but then I did over the other place.  A ranch sounds wonderful.  That's one thing you have over there, plenty of wide open spaces.  We are a tad short of space over here.  I rather fancy living on a narrow-boat on the canals. They are beautiful, but I guess the locks would be difficult to work on my own!
}
27... Kxe4
{
Mitch The Man: I've never wanted to even try sleeping on a boat.  I've never gone on a cruise, and I think I've only been on a boat 3 or 4 times in my life.  It sounds glamorous, but I can't swim, so I just know that the day I'd be on the boat would be the day it sprang a leak.  :-)
}
28. Qf3+
{
Barbara: I went to see a bungalow this p.m.  I am not really sure about it.  There are one or two things I am not happy about.  I think you can walk into a property and know IMMEDIATELY it is what you want.  This bungalow didn't grab me like the last one I chose, which I lost.
Shall have to think long and hard about it.
}
28... Kd3
{
Mitch The Man: Definitely, don't get yourself trapped in something that doesn't really suit you.  We almost did that, but backed out at the last minute; thank goodness.
}
29. e4+
{
Barbara: Yes Mitch, I agree.  I just don't feel the place is right for me, although I have a rather unpleasant neighbour here, from whom I would like to get away a.s.a.p.  It is a difficult business.
}
29... Kxd4
{
Mitch The Man: You've got it coming and going at you, it seems.  Still, the difficult neighbor is more tolerable than getting yourself locked into something almost forever that you end up hating.  By the way, it's snowing again, with a winter storm warning; just lovely.
}
30. Rd1+
{
Barbara: Oh you poor thing - more snow. One dusting in Winter is quite enough for me but I guess you are more used to it
in your area.  My friend, who used to live in Florida, has gone to Prague for 4 days,
I just looked at her weather, and it is snowing there.  A temp of-3 but a wind-chill factor of -10  oooops!!!!

}
30... Kc5
{
Mitch The Man: Is that fahrenheit or celsius?  Earlier in the winter we were dealing with -15 to -20 F; hated that enough to last a lifetime, but I've lived in colder places also.
}
31. Qc3+
{
Barbara: Where have you lived as cold as that Mitch?  It is -3C.
}
31... Kb5
{
Mitch The Man: I lived in a place called Limestone, Maine, when I was in my pre-teens.  Temperature used to get down to -35F regularly; that's -37C.
}
32. Rb1+
{
Barbara: I think, when Iused to go to Fla., my plane would land at Bangor, Maine.  There was usually snow when we landed.
Coming home one New Year we landed at Labrador for refuelling.  Canadian law states that the door to the plane must be left open whilst refuelling, in case of fire.  It was snowing heavily outside and a number of people had left Fla. wearing shorts.  That caught them out!!!  I thought it was interesting when I saw the 'trolley dollies' were wearing trousers!!  They brought extra blankets for me and made a little tent round me; it was difficult for me to get off the plane into the lounge, as there were steps down.  I had never heard of the flight company before - America TransAir.  I think they were a bit of a tin-pot company.
My friend, who flew regularly, had never heard of them.
}
32... Ka4
{
Mitch The Man: Nope, I've never heard of them either.  Looks like this is my last move in this game; nice playing against you.
}
33. Qb4#
{
Barbara: Yes, I too have enjoyed out chats Mitch, and look forward to your comments each night.  I wish you all success in all your future games.
Barbara
}
1-0

