Final LCCC Night of 2012 was a Success!

We keep setting records, and I can’t keep using those words in the title of the story or they will all look the same. Next year, I will have a week numbering system. The growth of the club is the reason for that, so that is a good thing!

With the return of Paul B and his son Matthew to LCCC, that takes our active member count up to a record 46! I think a goal of doubling that is certainly a possibility!

Twenty-four players arrived at the club for the last meeting of 2012. The Senior Center will be closed on the next two Mondays due to the holiday season. But be sure to join us bright and early on January 7, 2013 for an even better year!

Again, I must apologize for the late posting. I had two good excuses however; out of town on business and then came down with a cold on the way back! The computer screen is a little blurry as I type this.

Some ladder games were played in addition to our usual slew or casual play. In ladder play, Marcello M and Tim P were victorious. Nice job guys.

Tim benefited from a stroke of brilliant Ladderology, as he moved to the exact spot where four players dropped a spot for lack of ladder play. So Tim catapulted up quite a ways!

We have four players on the verge of dropping off the ladder completely, so January 7 is a “must play” or “must challenge” night for them.

Of course it is not exactly the end of the world if you do drop off the ladder. Simply re-sign up at the bottom and start your climb again. The journey is the fun!

I close with a game Jason M sent me that he had played on line. Time Limit: 5 min:

Jason: “Hi Mike, Glad to see that all is well with the club. Here's a recent effort on ICC.  I'm starting to beat experts and masters a bit more. This is one of my best efforts. I hope folks enjoy the tactics.”

[Event "ICC 5 0"]
[Site "Internet Chess Club"]
[Date "2012.12.10"]
[White "Jason M"]
[Black "Villian"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ICCResult "Black resigns"]
[WhiteElo "2055"]
[BlackElo "2009"]
[Opening "French: Rubinstein variation"]
[ECO "C03"]
[NIC "FR.07"]

1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nd2 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Nd7 5. Nf3 Ngf6 6. Nxf6+ Nxf6 7. Bd3
c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. O-O O-O 10. Bg5 Be7 11. Qe2 Nd5 12. Bd2 Bf6 13. c4 Ne7
14. Bb4 a5 15. Ba3 Re8 16. Rfd1 Qc7 17. Rac1 Bd7 18. Bd6 Qb6 19. Be5 Bxe5
20. Nxe5 Bc6 21. Bxh7+ Kxh7 22. Qh5+ Kg8 23. Qxf7+ Kh7 24. Rc3 Nf5 25. Rh3+
Nh6 26. Rxh6+ {Black resigns} 1-0