Go big, dream big, live bigger, anything is possible (!!) – are the usual suspects in most of the worldwide acclaimed motivational speeches. As good, bombastic and inspirational such advice may sound, sometimes it simply doesn't work. A reason could be that one key element is left behind: dream big, all right, but think smart and start small! Besides avoiding organizational havoc or disincentive falls, it is the little things that matter, that make life big.
Enjoying the sunshine
Travel gives me time to think
Over and above the metaphorical trademark of your reporter, also when taken literally, chances are the tiny things will prove cuter or even heartbreaking adorable: babies, puppies, miniatures, bonsai trees, small but well thought gifts or gestures, and the... Polar Capital Jersey Chess Festival! To disambiguate, the fete wears the name of the major sponsor and has nothing to do with geography.
Google Map of Jersey
Sailing the seas for chess, adventure, open air... a wonderful harbor for my ship – Jersey!
A rather 'petite' organization if you look at numbers (23 players in the Open Section and 24 in the Holiday Under 1900), the tournament I had the chance to play was anything but insignificant.
Start unknown, finish unforgettable
You might have noticed by now that in general I prefer to focus on the positive aspects but without any exaggeration, this event warmed the cockles of my heart. It had a soul, a life and such a social atmosphere that is better lived than described; a great achievement if you consider it was only the 2nd edition (surprises are reserved for the next year but more about that later).
Mark is quite a character, hence I look forward to his King's Indian DVD!! (nudge nudge)
It was not just me, spoiled by the destiny, as I had the chance to speak my native language again (!) with the friendly hotel staff, but the positive vibes became a general topic over dinners: we were simply happy being there – gens una sumus at its best!
Hebden - Williams
We all had to play each other and I contributed with two points both left and right. But here we
are, the happy fellas! As a coincidence, we were also the top three in the final standings, Mark
and Simon clear 1st and 2nd respectively, while I shared third.
When people are happy, they don't need to tell the whole world about it. It just shows!
What was kind of shocking though, was that in spite of the glowing warmth floating in the air, in the chess meetings there were none, nil, zero prearranged draws, not even in the two days with double rounds! Sofia or 30 moves rules had no place in Jersey, as the fighting spirits were as high as ever, without the organizers being 'forced' to find some trickery to tie the players up onto the tables.
Since I just showed you above the peculiar king march in the game Hebden – Williams, here's another one where Simon took his majesty for a quite unhealthy walk:
Williams - Houska
True love for the game: double rounds don't matter, there is always room for more chess!
Who said that children cannot focus for long time?! Chess and...
… the young talents will prove them wrong!
Actually, it was your reporter that had to 'forget' about the scenery and concentrate on the board!
Easier said than done...
If only more playing venues had such views!
Ranked third, Simon finished on a fine second place, gaining some rating in the process. With
his house specialty, creative/original/crazy chess, Simon never ceases to spice things up, in a
true Ginger GM's style!
Williams - Alan Merry
Ranked fifth, finishing fifth – Alan Merry showed good chess, sometimes playing computer-like
moves; difficult to beat that!
Not easy to defeat such determination!
What I like about chess a lot is the passion behind every move at all the levels!
Moreover, how masochistic could this be, that I enjoyed my losses too??! Of course I was not thrilled but probably the fair-play and the wonderful characters I had the chance to confront on the board (almost) fully compensated for the bad moves. There was no gloating over winning but rather mutual respect and understanding that we all have bad days with less good games. At the end of the day we gathered, talked, walked, enjoyed the moment and then back again in the playing hall... including the organizers, who were juggling with the behind the scenes work, their daily office duties and the strong opponents too!
Challenging, enjoyable but tough work too for Paul (the tournament organizer – middle)
Same goes for Louis, a great person, chess fan, organizer...
… pilot (!) and a wonderful guide as well. Thanks a lot for showing me/us your beautiful homeland!
Continued in part two...
