[imagefield_assist|fid=3556|preset=frontpage_200x200|lightbox=true|title=|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=200|height=200]Happy Easter everyone!
I have not blogged in a while, as I am still recovering from my long trek. I was =2nd in Lubbock, Tx and =1st in Skokie, Il, and was able to score 6 wins and 12 draws (with no losses!) in 13 days, with no rest! Luckily, I was able to workout on the treadmill in Skokie, and walk a lot in Lubbock to keep fit as well as staying on the straight and naarrow food-wise. I have lost 27 pounds thus far this year, and have about 100 more to go!
Next weekend, April 10-11, is the The Bill Wright Saint Louis Open. The CCSCSL has raised the prize fund several times thus far, and, we may add some more prizes if warranted. I expect between 150-160 players total, and, thus far, we have over 65 registered. We have chess players from over 10 states and Canada, so this should turn out to be one of the most exciting Open tournaments in Missouri history. There are seven GMs pre-registered, and I hope we will be able to get a couple more by the time round one begins. Also of note, half of the 2009 US Women's Championship participants are playing as well!
Some people were abuzz with the April Fools jokes circulating the web last week. Of course, I am talking about the Howard Stern wildcard stories. Clearly, anything about Lady Gaga and me is 100% true!
I lost 2 USCF rating points at the Spring Spice Cup in Lubbock, but gained 4 FIDE. The NACA in Skokie has not yet been rated, but, I will probably do a little better there.
As per my schedule in April, I will play be playing in the Saint Louis Open April 10-11. I am going to Northern California for a few days April 19-23, and will give a lecture at the renowned Mechanics Institute Chess Club, in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 20, at 5:15PM.
Happy Birthday to my dad, Ron Finegold, who turns 73 tomorrow!
