The Chess Museum

SOME PRAISE FOR SCORE

2011-06-03T16:12:00.002-05:00

Thinkers' Press inc.'s new openings magazine SCORE came out before noon today. Here are some early returns:

Wow, It looks great!
Nice weekend reading and lifelong chess improvement!
Cheers, Patrik (Sweden)

Very well done first issue of SCORE!

If the rest are of the same high quality I will be happy.

Ron (Des Moines)

I've just started to take a look at the first issue, but had an idea I wanted to run by you. I would like to print off several copies (with your permission of course) of page 2 and hand them out to some people who come to our chess get togethers at Barnes & Noble. Let me know what you think... I have to admit, I'm pretty "pumped" about this new publication! Thanks.

Keep pushing those passed pawns.

Steve (IA)

Attached are my suggestions for openings to cover in SCORE. I have always taken a great interest in opening theory, and I should therefore be satisfied with any openings covered in these issues. But since many openings already have several books devoted to them, I thought it would be refreshing if these issues covered openings without a great deal of already published theory. Of course, this has happened already with this issue covering 1.) g3. Perhaps some other offbeat openings can be covered in later issues.

Thank you,

Gary (IL)

BOB: I replied to Gary that we certainly will consider his list but if there has been no NEW news (SCORE is about 2010-2011 games and theory), then anything written would duplicative to those other books and databases.

ALEKHINE IS HERE!

The Chess Gangs of New York and London, Alekhine the Executioner issue just landed on my porch. Those who have FREE ones coming will be mailed that issue between now and 2 weeks from now. If an order in the meantime comes in from you, I will just drop it in with everything else. If not, I try to do it all on one day. For those who are BUYING the issue, yours will go out very soon. 59 annotated games are included. Don't ask me why the printer included 4 additional blank pages. One time he will, another time they won't. If I "fill them" they will charge me $1 extra. It's screwy.

Next up, Pillsbury the Fencer. The games have been annotated and soon will be laid out. Then comes Capablanca I think. After that... a big surprise. If I tell you in advance I won't hear from you until summer... No, it isn't Kasparov, Karpov, or Fischer. (Or Tal). I doubt those guys will even be included; their games are already quite accessible.

If you want to buy an issue of Alekhine, it is $12.95 + $3.00 for S&H.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

DOING A SECOND MAILING

2011-06-02T08:51:00.006-05:00

Marketing experts talk about "followup" and then try to suggest how often, when, and what else to add to an original message. There is no "this works every time formula."

Yesterday I sent another email to prospects about the new magazine SCORE (comes out tomorrow or later tonight). A spate of positive replies ensued ranging from: "How can one use PayPal without a website?" to "I am dropping my check in the mail" to "It IS a bargain, where do I send the money?"

The answers to these questions have pretty much always been in the emails I send. Yet when I sent a follow up email, people read that one insteaad! This time, I'm the one who doesn't get it!

1. My bulk email sender requires that when I am making an email to anyone I don't "regularly" do commercial business with, that I include an email address... which I do. And a street address, which I do.

2. I've mentioned in my publications and mailings HOW to pay using PayPal. One person thought that could only be done USING my website. That is NOT the case. I have a "placeholder" website, www.thinkerspressinc.com but it doesn't take orders... it lists an email address. Simply GO to YOUR PayPal account and after putting in your Password, click the SEND money tab. Put in $20 (or whatever amount you want to send), the email address who you are sending it to (mine is: bob@thinkerspressinc.com) and click "send" or "submit," whatever the button suggests.

So a website IS involved, but it is PayPal's website only. Yes, I am aware some business web sites take PayPal and the payer doesn't have to know anything else, but that is not the only way.

3. My address is: 1524 LeClaire Street, Davenport, IA 52803 USA if you are mailing me a check, money order, or your credit card information. Some ask if I take "American Express." No, not anymore. I have found that almost all AE owners usually have another credit card of the Visa, MasterCard, or Discover variety, which I have taken for a long time.

Some babies are breast fed (simple), and some are bottle fed (more steps). Until I get my web site up I am doing the bottle fed version.

My good Tennessee friend Roy M. said "Web sites are practically free these days." He was kidding, but in fact to set up a web site that is other than a splash page telling about a business is a lot different than setting up 400 items, describing them, scanning book and dvd covers, pricing, and maintaining them. This doesn't include setting up a payment system, tiered pricing, blogs, and any other Special Events.

My sister Jo designed her own web site and it took her a year and included payment systems. Her web site is very inclusive and complicated. Yes, there are "ready mades" but almost NONE of them will work for a business that is anything but extremely simple. When you see CNN, or the USCF web site, underneath all that, there is a LOT of jazz going on and usually more than one programmer involved, and constantly involved.

So myself and my web programmer are working on it and we hope to surprise those who specifically NEED a web site one day. My time estimates have been wrong on this because I have deadlines to meet and orders to fill--otherwise, I can't buy groceries or pay utility bills. It is like that when one is self-employed--money doesn't come in automatically, one must keep priming the pump UNTIL the concern will run in a regular fashion.

In the meantime, you can still call me with credit card information, or email it to me (I need the same thing I have always needed: 16 digit credit card number, the expiration date, and nowadays, the 3-digit set on the back of the card). If you prefer paying by PayPal just do what I suggested above. Some wag wrote once that there is "more than one way to skin a cat." Why would anyone want to skin a cat? But, I am sure it is true. Some do not want to email me their financial information and that is fine--just give me a ring at: 563-271-6657. I usually have that number with me unless: I am in the shower, asleep, or in the head. Unlike some, I do not live with my phone.

I am still getting orders for SCORE this morning. Thanks to all of you.

PS: By the way, Blogs confuse some too. One fellow thought he could order through my Blog. My blog site is run by Google. To my knowledge Google doesn't allow such things. But I often do list a way to contact me, such as: bob@thinkerspressinc.com -- as here.

Years ago I told my then webmaster that a lot of folks didn't understand the internet, using payment methods, had fears of their identity being compromised, etc. and she found that hard to believe. She found it hard to believe also when I said "25% of my clients did not own or use a computer!" These "webby" people read these "polls" but I wonder if anyone actually polls those who mail me checks (I have a number of customers who DO know how to use a computer and still mail me their check... why not, they have their own ideas on how they want to use their credit cards, if they have them.)

I do not yet own an iPhone or an iPad even though I wish I had the coin to do so. Thus, even though I understand quite a bit of technology, I don't engage in all of it just to say that I do.

Many companies (most?) today won't accept hand-delivered or mailed resumes. They only want "digitally" submitted resumes according to THEIR standards, which, not amazingly enough, vary from company to company and almost NEVER are totally applicable to the job you are seeking! I know, I tried this. It got so tiring I gave up and anyone who knows me knows that is not easy for me to do. It is ONLY a mechanism to "weed out" applicants and settle on what is left. In the meantime, the "perfect" potential employee for that position may have been dismissed because they didn't have an AA degree and yet smartswise might've been better than anyone else in the company. Andrew Carnegie surrounded himself with smart people and yet he was the richest man in the world. But, he was the one who started his company, not some nincompoop in HR who thinks he/she knows what they are doing because they went to college.

Think about this: if 100 is the average IQ in the US, why do so many feel they are above average, IQ-wise? Why do they assume their children are? Why do they assume their bosses are? Another thought. It is known that 1 in 25 people are sociopaths (no conscience) and that some of them are in positions of responsibility (and yet who often act extremely irresponsibly) such as CEOs and heads of departments such as HR. Sociopaths LOVE (if they can love anything) those who are manipulatable or very malleable. If you don't do it THEIR way, better to not do it at all. With regards to ordering and paying for merchandise from G&L CHESS or Thinkers' Press, inc. I offer many different ways of doing so including making an appointment to stop by and see me (just bring a wheelbarrow!)

Still willing to answer anything I haven't covered. Tomorrow is the Big Day SCORE gets launched. Climb aboard.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A SAD REVELATION

2011-06-01T10:50:00.002-05:00

Some years ago I wrote to a marketing friend who is big on new "digital technology" even though he still writes books. His ideas on "copyright" are quite loose saying, in effect, that we have to change with the times. On whose terms? His? The public's?

He was very big on Wikipedia. I wasn't even though I have used it. I said, "It leaves too much room for incorrect editing and data by slum writers." It turns out to be quite true. Some authors have been caught making up stuff! You know these types, so lacking in self-esteem that their self-esteem (not to mention education and buying their own resources) allows them to rip off others. With respect to chess I have found things that were simply incorrect.

If an organization gives you free reign to dump THEIR stuff into Wikipedia, fine.

Companies pay a lot of money for their work and research. One such was the Oxford Encyclopedia people when they produced David Hooper's and Ken Whyld's The Oxford Companion to Chess, original AND New edition.

I was looking up something about Jackson Whipps Showalter and Pillsbury (H N) to confirm a thought I had about winning the US championship and then defending the title. Well, Wikipedia had the information because it was copied directly from Hooper & Whyld's book (I was double checking)! Directly. No paraphrasing, no parsing, no mention (except under references [and that doesn't given them a license to "lift"]). This is wrong.

The defense is ALWAYS lame. "We (Wikipedia Users) don't have access to H&W's book, it costs too much since it is out of print." This idiotic comment makes it sound as if they would ACTUALLY buy the book if it was available. How many of us believe that? It is this casual theft which makes many publishers give up on publishing researched reference books. I doubt if it can be stopped--few with deep pockets are willing to attempt it except perhaps Viacom on YouTube. When paper publishers cease will "online publishers" be willing to publish it for free? My guess? No. Who will take the first step?

There is one guy out there who rips off ChessBase DVDs; you can see him and hear his blather at tournaments around the country. DO NOT buy any of this stuff from him! He will give you all kinds of BS arguments about what he is doing as being all right. It isn't. ChessBase knows who he is but is unwilling to send people after him and put him in jail. One reason? He has no verifiable address since he is on the move all the time. Well, not true. Go to some tournaments, especially in the Midwest. You will find him. Some years ago, in Sioux Falls, SD I confronted him directly. After he tried to shove all of his crap down my gullet I told him he was a crook and a liar. Guess what? His response was to call me filthy names and walk away. Doesn't this sound like a person on the up and up? I didn't back down, he did. But everyone else backs down. ChessBase has the money, they just don't want to spend it. I estimate he costs them hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. No, that's not what HE makes, he discounts everything--it is what ChessBase would get paid if they got all their "rightful" money (of course I realize people buy stuff from this jerk because it IS offered at a huge discount--or on a mini hard drive with everything on it!). Would you support this guy? I hope not.

Over the years I have kept my share of chess reference books which I originally bought. I have done my own research and writing. For example, in the fantastic Purdy Chess Chronicles which I work on, I USE the books and magazines themselves WITH paid-for permission from the Purdy family! That's what I call BEING SERIOUS.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

SAVE $15 BY REGISTERING TODAY

2011-05-31T09:55:00.003-05:00

Today is May 31... last day to get the $15 discount for the Red Wing event in Minnesota.

Four workshops on July 29-30 at the Country Inn & Suites, 4275 Hwy 61 West, Red Wing, MN 55066.

Workshop 1: Can you use a System to improve your Chess such as Moskalenko's Revolutionize Your Chess (book included FREE with registration). Friday evening. Conducted by GM Alex Yermolinsky.

Workshop 2: The Rules of the Game: Planning, Preparation, and Publishing. By Bob Long, owner and editor at Thinkers' Press, inc.

Workshop 3: Tactics, a new method. A small quick play King's Gambit Accepted tournament will be the offer for the day as you learn something new about tactics and quicker improvement. Introduction included and a "best games" included in the Abbazzi 1912 King's Gambit Accepted tournament won by Rudolph Spielmann. Must be a current USCF member. Memberships available on site.

Workshop 4: Using what you learned in action from Friday night against GM Yermolinsky in his simul ($30 extra).

In between times there will be Q&A, the Sales table, and great places to eat. Purposely planned to be intimate, no more than 22 can be registered. Seven have already signed up. Hope you will be one of the other 15.

For more info, contact: Bob Long -- bob@thinkerspressinc.com or 563-271-6657

Thanks...

THE DETAILS ON SCORE SUBSCRIPTIONS

2011-05-30T15:22:00.003-05:00

Hello Friends of Thinkers' Press.

SCORE issue Number 1 will be available this Friday (June 3).

That’s the first piece of good news. The second piece of good news is that you can subscribe to all sixteen issues at the Rock Bottom price of $20.00!*

Each issue will be at least 10 full size pages with at least 4 pages on the Main Opening Article and at least two pages on the Minor Opening Article. It is a chess openings’ magazine with games and theory from the 2009-2011 period. No drowning in old stuff.

There will also be WORD explanations instead of just variations. Czech Republic Grandmaster Igor Stohl, a well known theorist, will join us for at least 2 issues. The other editor will be IM Andrew Martin from England. The editor in chief will be Bob Long from Thinkers’ Press.

Each issue will be available as a PDF download from Thinkers’ Press, on the Friday of release. A schedule is published in issue one. The frequency is every three weeks except for 4 times per year when it will be 4 weeks, thus finishing at 16 times per year. Eventually it will be available for download from the web.

The first issue, the premier issue, will be 16 pages to include the list of openings we will choose from. (And I invite you to submit your choices—this improves your chances of seeing coverage of things that interest you.) The openings included this time are: 1.g3 and the Petroff Defense. The openings for issue two are: French Steinitz and Alekhine’s Defense. Issue three is already being worked on. Readers’ letters are encouraged and will be published; collaborative in some respects.

Bob Long will add Book and DVD commentary and an editorial page as well as a Sales Page. Occasionally a tactical problem.

Announcements of issues and other useful chess information may be found at my Blogpost here--and issue #1). Register and check in!

*PS: I am in hope that for only $20.00 you will subscribe to this totally new chess publication on a budget! If you are a past subscriber the price is $45.00 UNLESS you only subscribed for ONE semester – then it is $30.00. If you are a Gold Card 2011 holder and you subscribed in the past the cost is only $39.95.

GOOD NEWS ADDENDUM
Those who subscribed for the past couple semesters are entitled to Bill Campion’s INDEX to all 128 issues of The Chess Reports. While this index covers several pages now Bill told me he may tackle a much more in depth Indexing. Should he do this, it will come to you FREE.

AND...
Subscribers to Semesters 8-9-10 will also receive a CD (or 2) of all TCR Games so that you can access them using ChessBase. This will be FREE (once again) to such past subscribers.

THERE IS MORE...
For those who would like a complete set of PDFs of all issues of The Chess Reports, on CD (or two), a special price will be made. $199.95. This will comprise $545.00 worth of Chess Reports at the HUGE discount of 63.3%!! Limited Time Only.

LASTLY...
Some have had questions about HOW to make payments to G&L CHESS or Thinkers’ Press. It’s easy, there are several ways. (Incidentally, these CDs won’t be released for at least a month.)
PayPal (my email payment address is: bob@thinkerspressinc.com)
Check or Money Order (see address above)
Visa
MasterCard
Discover
If you feel unsure/uncertain/unsafe about emailing the information to me you can call me at: 563-271-6657.

Have a Great Memorial Day Weekend.

Bob Long

THANKS TO MORE THAN THREE

2011-05-28T12:19:00.002-05:00

Have also heard from Ed Yee and Mr. X (he will be at Red Wing) about Petrosian and the "quote" I am looking for. I've had 5 people looking into Petrosian's writings with Bob Woodworth even mentioning Scheckhtman's 2 vols. This is HOW to engage readers of a Blog, give them something fun to do, especially IF they own the books in question. Petrosian evoked a great response and yet he seems to be very hard to competently write about. How many of you know that Petrosian had a book/thesis many years back where he wrote upon Logic? I got the information, and possibly even had the book, from Skakhuset Avisen in Denmark. The logic was chess logic I believe (it's been a while).

Of course it makes me wonder now if it was Petrosian. Years back I would have been certain. Now I am thinking it might have been another author in How to Open a Chess Game. But the IDEA of the quote is true. No matter which side of the board one was studying (white or black), the book lines always seemed to favor the OTHER GUY! I should call this Long's Chess Law. I have thought about writing a book called The Laws of Perversity. Lots of good things there and NONE of them pornographic.

Another book on my mind was FU IQ. It's about dumb things people do while at the same time earning a questionable IQ score. The "U" part stands for the word "UP." An example would be someone sitting on a motorcycle revving the engine to hear the exhaust pipe roar or pop. Over and over and over. This makes imbeciles look smart because they wouldn't do that. Or a guy racing from one block to another only to be suddenly stopped because of a red light. Those are just vehicular examples. The number of whacky possibilities I see every day are astounding such as people walking in the street instead of using a clear sidewalk, almost daring someone to hit them. I'm sure there are examples in the chess world too. Maybe we can report some of them here! (How about riding a bicycle at night, with no lights, and crossing a busy street. I saw this happen. The kid ran into a car, was knocked down, got up and bitched out the driver!)

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WELCOME PAUL TO RED WING

2011-05-27T21:42:00.002-05:00

Paul Reiners is coming to Red Wing for the Soiree! Yippee, more new faces. Love it.

He asked if the $30 book everyone is getting was Yermo's book on Chess Improvement. I answered, "No, that book is out of print." (And one of Gambit's best.) The book everyone will get and study is GM Victor Moskalenko's Revolutionize Your Chess.

I hope more of you will sign up. Have room for 15 more.

In the meantime, I am working on the next in the series of The Chess Gangs of New York and London: Pillsbury. Man, what a killer at simuls, blindfold, and consultation games. Most of these games I am including are NOT in ChessBase! This one is worth having (well, they all are). One English reseller just snapped up 50 of them (including Alekhine)--yet the other European dealer said they were TOO expensive. All MY life I've had to deal with people like that! By the time they finally GET on the wagon their customers have bought it from someone else (like me or the other resellers). How some of these people survive is a complete mystery to me.

I have a SALE ending tomorrow, so if there is something in the SKUNK/YELLOW STRIPE event that grabs you, hope to hear from you by Saturday night.

Am still pushing for the $20 yearly subscription to SCORE. The cover was designed and finished at 3 a.m. yesterday! I have a few perfectionistic traits!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

THANKS TO THREE

2011-05-26T20:13:00.002-05:00

Special thanks go out to Andy Ansel, Gary White, and Bob Woodworth for trying their best to locate information about analysis and books and how the evaluations diverge depending on which color you have.

Andy had the Petrosian's Legacy book but I couldn't pinpoint where it might be in the book. Gary looked through the book and couldn't find it. Thanks men.

Bob W. went through the Petrosian's Legacy book twice and How to Open a Chess Game. So now I am thinking that it "might" have been another author, but no idea which book. Always thought it was How to Open a Chess Game... maybe Larsen or Portisch. Maybe one of these days I will run across it before I give up. I prefer to get the quotes right, otherwise, anyone could have written it.

Bob also went through the Shekhtman books on Petrosian which was above and beyond. Thanks Bob. I love the fervor.

NOTE: Strong players seem to be universally okay with Anand facing Gelfand. For one thing we can see how well prepared Gelfand can be. His book My Most Memorable Games has been produced by Olms. I am out of it, but if anyone would like a copy for their shelves and games, I can order.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

SPECIAL SALE TODAY + CONGRATULATIONS TO GELFAND

2011-05-25T08:03:00.006-05:00

I've been doing bookkeeping the past couple days, trying to get everything caught up for the people I owe money to.

So this afternoon I will be putting together a Limited Special Sale. Not sure what, maybe Old and New.

In the meantime I want to remind everyone that they can subscribe to SIXTEEN issues of the new openings publication SCORE. If you have never subscribed to The Chess Reports, you can be a FIRST time subscriber to SCORE for ONLY TWENTY BUCKS!

If you were a previous subscriber then it is $45 temporarily ($49.95 regularly). If you have a GOLD CARD it will be $39.95. I've mentioned the value of the Gold Card and you can still get one if you've never had one before ($50--the savings can be tremendous--but it's more than that--GC buyers also often get FIRST PEEKS at NEW lists). Several have taken advantage of this.

A Couple of Instant Items are:

1. Lasker & His Contemporaries #6. Normally $34.95.

2. Purdy's Chess Chronicles Vol 1 (4 issues, 2 currently available). Normally $69.95.

Get both for $89.95.

This OFFER is good through Saturday, May 28th. ONLY 3 MORE days!

Alekhine the Executioner is at the printer. 59 annotated games by a CRUSHER of a world champion.

NOTE: For those who are going for the FREE Chess Gangs of London and New York, May (this month) os the first month of the paired months, the second being June. Those who bought over $100 worth of chess product between March and the end of April will get a copy of Alekhine the Executioner for FREE! Shipping and insurance doesn't count.

If you got my 4-pager yesterday, please READ page 3 again and you will see the point and value of this Promotion.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: AT about 10:30 AM (CT) Gelfand emerged victorious over Grischuk, whose game plan, if he had one, backfired. In a Gruenfeld Gelfand got the better game. I was nervous about Grischuk's R maneuvers and in the end, that proved to be his problem when a lethal check by Gelfand allowed him to emerge a piece up.

Mr. Lower Lip Gelfand is having the time of his life. A former Soviet, now Israeli. You gotta figure this will boost chess in Israel. If Grischuk had won would it have boosted chess in Russia? No. Even champions-to-be have to win sometimes and Gelfand did when Grischuk went on "tilt.". I will have to order some copies of his book--it's a good book. He's strong. I think he wanted this more than Grischuk.

WELCOME EARL to MINNESOTA

2011-05-24T11:22:00.004-05:00

Earl Zismer is coming to the Red Wing, MN event July 29-30. Here is what Earl had to say, a subject I have been preaching for years—"Professionals Need a Time Out:"

"I will be in Red Wing on 7/29. I've never been to a Soiree. There is no doubt that it will be a good time. We lost a manager and a staff member from the department I work in, and of course the work load was not reduced. So I will be in need of a long weekend in late July and this chess party will be just the thing. I'll send my reservation via snail mail with my credit card number... I look forward to seeing you on the 29th!"

Thanks Earl.

Sometimes we just have to say YES. Anyone can say "no." Yes is more difficult.

I will be sending out another, extra edition, and more complete brochure in the next few days. If you get your $189 registration fee in by May 31, you can save $15. I know to some this is a insignificant sum for the fun they have, but it's there for those who find "every little bit helps," and who want to be FIRST among the 22 places we have.

DID YOU SAY 22 AND NOT 30?

Yep, I had to do a recalc. When I went there a week ago Friday, with my daughter Chris, to scout out the place, it was obvious that to be comfortable, the original intention of "intimacy" was going to be kept. I was hoping for 30 or more, but due to the structure of setting up tables in the meeting room, the best we can do is 22 (I like the way that rhymes).

We will meet with Grandmaster and 2-time US Champion Alex Yermolinsky. There will be 4 workshops, and they will include a simultaneous ($30 extra). If you've never played a GM or never played a famous or GREAT grandmaster, you should consider coming to this.

If you stay in the Country Inn & Suite Hotel for two nights there will be a surprise for you on the second day of your stay (nope, I've given up on the idea of the inflatable doll as a gift!).

It's $189 to register for those two days of adventuresome fun. Find out how to improve your tactics, whether a chess system will work for you, and how to PLAN what you do with: "The Rules of the Game." Also, a number of FREEBIES will be yours for registering--all part of the deal. Call the Country Inn & Suites for your CHESS GROUP reservation at: 651-388-9000. Air transportation to Rochester MN or St. Paul/Mnpls. and then a rental car makes it all possible.

Call: 563-271-6657 or write: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

I thank you, my Mom thanks you!

PETROSIAN'S LEGACY

2011-05-23T15:31:00.002-05:00

There was a book with this title written by the late Armenian World Chess Champion Tigran Petrosian. I am looking for a quote from it (should you happen to own a copy).

Originally I thought it was in How to Open a Chess Game, but I couldn't find it under the Petrosian Chapter (of course there is the possibility I missed it, or it was written by someone else, the quote).

In his quote he made a comment many of us feel-- that no matter which side of the board we are on, theory (primarily books in those days) favors the other side. I was always amused by this because it seems to true.

If anyone can find it, I would appreciate their passing it on to me at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: Good friend Andy Ansel tried to find it, but so far he has not, so it is time to spread the net further.

GRISCHUK IS EXTREMELY CAGEY

2011-05-22T00:41:00.002-05:00

Saturday Alexander (Sasha) Grischuk had the white pieces against Boris Gelfand. He sprung a novelty and in return Gelfand sprung one right back. Thought for quite a while. On moved 14 he offered a draw.

It is "my" view that Grischuk didn't like the way this "might" go and offered a draw and Gelfand, knowing that although the novelty may have "scared" Grischuk, he understood that Grischuk had a way of turning the tables in such a fight, and besides, it would mean a White for Grischuk was wasted. Ultimately this will probably prove to be a mistake on Gelfand's part.

It looks as though Grischuk is ready to fight with the black pieces or even go into the rapid play contest, as he did before. Gelfand is no wimp in rapid play but it seems that everyone thinks Grischuk is superior in rapid and blitz play. If Gelfand knows what is good for him, he better win a game in the best of 6 series or he won't be playing Anand. Gelfand has shown resiliency and toughness, but it seems possible that Grischuk may be the greater strategist.

Someone wrote they got my Red Wing brochure and that the state was not mentioned as to where this would take place. Well, that is not the case. In several places it is mentioned that it will be in Red Wing, MN (Minnesota). An area code was also given. Red Wing boots COME from Minnesota and any googling will confirm this, So I apologize for any obliqueness. Here is the street address, which I have added (though I said I would be sending a map, and the address was given in previous PDFs): 4275 Highway 61 W. The zip is 55066.

That same person also asked about the skill level of chess player. In the past, and not now, have I ever refused anyone because they were high, or low, or not rated? Since I make no exclusions in the brochure, no one can assume there are exclusions. This is about chess. I don't care whether you are a D or E rated player or a master (I've had masters at my events). You are welcome. Bring a clock if you have one.

More specifics will be provided in the next brochure. In the meantime, please read the one sent; there is a ton of good info in there. One guy said he could come up with the $$$ for the fee, and the lodging, but transportation would be a stretch. I don't know where he lives (he didn't say), but in 1972 I coughed up $1,300 to go see Fischer and Spassky--and I got a lifetime of mileage out of it. Put it on a credit card, take out a small loan, borrow from your kids... but don't screw with a once in a lifetime event that will fuel a passion. I have been to many events since then. They all cost money. Some had to be put on a credit card. Maybe put a hold on that 120 inch LCD screen!!! I have a 21 inch TV, unplugged, sitting in a corner, no antenna. No HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc. I am saving $50-100 per month and DO NOT miss it. I don't smoke or drink not because I am a hero, but it isn't necessary for me. I have a 2-story $85,000 house I am still paying a mortgage on and I own a 2008 HHR which is the closest I have come to a "new" car (I bought it in 2009) in forever. The car has 42 payments to go.

I suspect people look at me as poverty-stricken. I guess it is what matters to me and to others. Anyway, I hope you will come. You come and I can pay MY credit card off!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A FEW DETAILS AND SURPRISES

2011-05-20T19:58:00.002-05:00

The eight page brochure for the RED WING event in Minnesota just couldn't be finished on Friday... but will go out Saturday or late Friday night.

Some years ago I realized that when I put something together it was always better if I sat on it for a day to add those final touches. It also helps me to add just a little more creativity, make some changes and hope that it all makes sense and allows a few extra people to become excited about doing something extraordinary such as coming to RED WING.

It can be exhausting trying to outdo what you have done before. There are always some setbacks as the project moves forward. One of the goals of my clinics, festivals, and now the soiree, is to bring in NEW people. This time there is at least ONE new person, but he already lives in Minnesota! I can recall when I would hear from Florida, Maine, and even California. You would think that a close place like Chicago would jump at the chance but I have discovered that some cities are parochial and its chess citizenry seldom ventures out into the light like they did in the 70s. New Yorkers, however, will give new things a shot from time to time.

I've had several phone conversations today with people in Texas and Wisconsin. Would like to see people come from those states.

The brochure will be ready soon. 8 pages, whew!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

400th POST + TPi's FACEBOOK PAGES

2011-05-19T18:27:00.002-05:00

If you want to see what I am saying or doing on Facebook just go to:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thinkers-Press-inc-Notes/120644107949119?ref=ts

Thanks to my friend Bobbie in Tulsa, OK for these tips to let more people KNOW what TPi does and why it exists.

On Facebook for TPi there is more info about Red Wing, but specifically, this time, photos. I have a whole page on it and pictures elsewhere in the brochure I am working on.

Besides those who "frequently fly" with Thinkers' Press and attend my events, we are looking for entrepreneurs, hobbyists, other chess players, those who want to have a great time but don't know this kind of thing exists, curiosity seekers, etc. But it will be capped at 22 for room consideration reasons. If you fly, you can go equally to airports at Rochester or Minneapolis/St. Paul. Rent a car and it's about 50 miles. The scenery is gorgeous.

There are plans for some really great workshops and I hope you sign up. It's $189 (a pittnce these days) and you can get a $15 discount if you get your registration in by May 31st. I've already heard from those who can't come, I'm looking for those who CAN (these are doers) come and will join the rest of us for intimate sessions with GM Alex Yermolinsky and myself (Bob Long). I've been rereading Yermo's book (The Road to Chess Improvement) and it is the best--truly, better than 99% of the others out there AND it is out of print (sorry). I know, some were "intending" to get it, but didn't. Life is like that. Second best thing (or maybe first best thing!), see him in person. Very gifted, very-on-the-money. You need that.

July 29-30, Red Wing, MN. Starts in the evening. Ask for my fat brochure, I will send you one.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

4 PAGER OUT THIS EVENING

2011-05-18T23:02:00.003-05:00

A four page catalog of new things and a SALE plus Order Form (hopefully to make it easier).

Am working on the first full blown advertorial for the Red Wing event. Lots of stuff, lots of detail, lots of goodies, and lots of reasons to come.

May publish it in TWO parts.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CATALOG AND SALE UPDATE DUE TONIGHT + FACEBOOK

2011-05-17T17:15:00.003-05:00

Couldn't get it finished last night. It is hard to put out a list to get any results if it is only two pages! So this one will be 4 with an order form on the last page so that people can figure their own amounts to send. The vast majority want me to figure it for them and I do not understand why unless someone is afraid of "missing" some particular nuance. Usually all the prices and shipping terms are on the same (or the back) page.

Have noticed that some people have total crap on their Facebook page (relatives seem particularly prone to do this). I've thought of making up a character and posting it, with comments such as these:

Cleaver: Have gone outside for a couple minutes to breathe.

Cleaver: I'm back, didja miss me?

Cleaver: Going to doctor tomorrow, forget why. Wonder if Dr. has a Facebook page.

Cleaver: I'd like to take my computer with me when I am grocery shopping so I could tell everyone what I am buying, even what I am putting back on the shelf.

(Hey man, why not just order your groceries?)

On the other hand, Andrew Martin asked a question and got at least 58 replies. The question went along the lines of: "What should White play against the Pirc?" Then he added, "The answer 'anything' would not be appreciated." That cracked me up. Quite a few people answered 4. Bg5, the Byrne Variation, which I played for many years.

Catalog coming.

contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

ON THE MENU

2011-05-16T13:40:00.004-05:00

Grischuk and Gelfand have gone into the finals with the FIDE clause of "Rapid Play." I am betting on Grischuk, if I were a betting man not because I don't think Gelfand is not competent enough, but Grischuk's strategy for getting to the finals has to be a little better than Gelfand's who was blowing potentially winning positions (I read this, I have not confirmed). Both of the "G's" are good players. I think Anand would annihilate Gelfand, but Grischuk has a chance.

Anyway, that's done. Kramnik's methods didn't work this time and Kamsky was a little late, as sometimes can happen. I wish he had made it in because I think he is more inscrutable than the others.

Today it's errands, writing a NEW Chess Gazette (with new masthead), and a major attempt to get things back on track since April was a full-fledged fraud.

So with that pronouncement, I will get back to work.

Well... in a minute. I just wanted to mention that G&L CHESS, though it doesn't have it's web site up yet, is encouraging people to get in touch with me by email (bob@thinkerspressinc.com)--for which I will send them freebies and catalogs via PDF. I am even looking at the possibility of send SOME printed catalogs out to customers who buy more than 1-2 things in a once in a while blue moon. More details should be in the flyer I am putting out today or tomorrow.

Thanks. Bob

TEMPERING EXASPERATION

2011-05-15T13:19:00.004-05:00

Once again, all draws, all games, all rounds in the Candidates. I have to admit, at first it was exasperating and as I reflected, I realized what the problem was: No One in this Group of Four is outstanding from any of the others! I know, someone will say that they are hoping to get through to the speedier tiebreak systems, somehow hoping they will pull it out when their odds are along the lines of equal equals equal. (= = =). Well, they are that already. They are leaving their chances more likely to LUCK! They say that "luck favors those who are prepared." That's why I expect no luck--they are all prepared. It may as well be blind chance the "whatever" experience.

None of these guys are a Fischer, a Kasparov, nor even an Anand. Are they fighting hard? Not in all instances. They are 2700+ chickens playing systems which certainly won't upset any apple carts as their opponents probably know them as well as their proponents do.

If Gelfand holds his nerve, don't be surprised to see him go through. Kramnik is not the world's best "speed" player, but he does all right and his technical skills and understanding fo what he has to do is fabulous. Grischuk is tough in the clutch and a great quick player. Kamsky, of course, may defy everyone and win this round. He's got the brawn and people "underestimate" him although I am not sure his opponents do. This is why I miss Topalov--he would have everyone nervous. Now he's seen as vulnerable. And 4 games? How tragic. Your "chess life" for this period is held in the balance by 4 games, not even a 6 game match.

And there are people out there who really believe today's crop is stronger than Alekhine, Lasker, and Capablanca? I don't think so as all of these men were great at faster time controls. If you look at the book I published last winter called Lasker the Ultimate Streetfighter you would see what I mean. The man, before he ever became world champion, was a killer. Not necessarily in the opening (though he could win quickly there), but he missed little in the middlegame and was genius in the endgame. Even Capablanca said NO ONE played the endgame nor saw as much as Lasker--and Capablanca was touted, often, as a King in the endgame.

When I read yesterday on the ChessBase web site about those who are complaining about the 15 minute transmission delay, I could only cringe at the "excuses" (not reasons) that were given such as having to walk yards to the press room to find out who is winning. I thought, what a huge bunch of crybabies. These people are only interested in ONE thing, themselves. They don't give a crap about the welfare of the players, it's all about me, me, and me. It wasn't that long ago when we had to find out what happened in a match by reading it in a paper the NEXT day. Now we have these big babies bawling because they need to know NOW because there is this thing called the internet. Truly, truly, pathetic. If I were in a hiring position, NONE of these milquetoasts would be on my radar, at all, ever. Friedel didn't reveal who the NIC writer was and he's not worth looking up.

I missed sending out deadlines on Friday about the $15 Gift Certificate for the Red Wing event, because I was in Red Wing. So I will be extending it to May 31. After that it will be a straight $189. It is a fabulous city, hotel, site, and a place to enjoy oneself. Will tell you more soon AND with loads of pictures. In the one above, I am in a castle's parapet. What happened to the rest of the castle is beyond me!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

AS YOU LIKELY CAN TELL...

2011-05-14T22:24:00.002-05:00

I've been busy.

Gone all yesterday until after midnight, scouting Red Wing, MN to give you a closer look at the environs (Great!). Erin Buss, handling details at the hotel was terrific. I will arrive a day early to get in a great swim and spend some time in the jacuzzi (I need this).

Daughter went with me and we had lots of discussions.

Yesterday was also the last day of The Chess Reports. The articles for SCORE are here but I won't be able to vet them until next week.

Have finished a giant chapter in David Rudel's next book, including diagrams.

I've been missing, but I've been busy too.

WHO READS THE CHESS MUSEUM?

2011-05-11T10:31:00.002-05:00

I don't know... actually.

People contact me about this or that, and mistakenly refer to my Blog as my Web Site. Huh? It's a blog site. My Web Site (name still under cover) is still being developed.

The STATS say that 56 are registered. A few are registered twice (I don't know HOW I got registered at all!). I have a funny suspicion that though I have 56 registered, 50% or more don't read it much PAST when they signed up. Some read this every day. What I am pushing lately is my Red Wing, MN event for which, last night, I created a cool logo. Perhaps I will get it on here this week.

And I believe that many more read this, including resellers, competition, and others simply because their emails "imply" they do. Lots of people with no imagination about business read it. Years ago I wrote something in my front page Blog for Chessco when I was doing that and it ended up in retail journals around the country as I heard from these people who said they were laughing and simultaneously nodding their head yes about some of the bizarre types of people they have had to deal with (people who would try to compute sales tax, on no sale, for example... I am kidding).

The Wall Street Journal (on the front page!) excerpted something I had written about people who couldn't add!

I have had drawings that I paid for show up on DVDs under a well known web site who should know better.

So if you read this and aren't registered, perhaps you could get off your lazy butt and register. The main reason is, unfortunately, Google gives more credibility to those who have high registration rates to their Blogspot setup. More credibility, maybe I can get a job writing for a nationally syndicated once a week column about the "Games People Play." With a wider audience one gets more criticism and that means more mail and the "boss" loves mail; means people are reading. They can UP their ad rates. Maybe I could write for Rupert Murdoch and tell him I would like to visit Australia and go look at Purdy's gravesite!

People who are satisfied seldom write. Those who are ALWAYS pissed off about something, write, and usually, none of us wants to hear from them. Unless it is about lousy customer service (of which there is plenty), they are often mental meltdowns. I only melt down once in a while.

Yesterday another guy, this one from NY, filed a class action lawsuit about Apple's "tracking" of people's location using his iPhone. If I were the judge I would ask him, "Who really gives a crap about YOU and where you are? You might get some additional ads, so what? Ads are everywhere. Maybe you could have offered Apple an extra $300 a year to make sure you NEVER get any ads. Get out of my courtroom and take those pin-striped leeches with you. But before you leave, I need $5,000 for court costs loser."

Class action lawsuits seldom net ANYONE money except for the lawyers who stand to make as much as $70,000 per person (hence the reason for class action) while the goof who "thought" this gem up gets $13.06. We need some overhauling folks. You can bet that should Congress take away Big Oil's "tax incentives" that they will raise the price of fuel to compensate for their"loss." Their explanations for the reason for the increase in gas prices while at the same time making astronomical profits begs for relief that ANY classroom ethics and logic professor would be glad to take on. How their "spokesman/woman" can give these press conferences without gagging says a lot for muscle-relaxers from Big Pharma.

I'll get back to chess tomorrow with some info on the first issue of SCORE. Sign up, limited time, $45 for 16 issues designed to "goose" your brain. Mine's already goosed.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN

2011-05-10T08:45:00.004-05:00

Out of the smoking rubble sometimes the "unexpected" appears (Terminator).

With nothing but draws, Kramnik finally eliminates Radjabov. There was a clock problem, when the game resumed, R fell apart according to the commentary. No wins, it was pot luck. R proved he was Kramnik's equal in play, but not his equal in finding SOME way to win.

Even though I have been a fan of Grischuk's for a long time (going back to a 2001 book published by Chess Stars on worldwide tournaments), I figured Aronian would eventually pull it out, but he didn't. Grischuk goes through. Does being the "top dog" carry some burden with it? I think so. The top player at the chess club always has a target on his back and it makes it hard to gain rating points if you are the one. At some point the strong players need to "get out of town" to play and sharpen their knives even more.

Gelfand had already taken down Mamedyarov, and let's see, who was the other pairing... oh yes, Kamsky beat another favorite, Topalov.

This looks like Musical Chairs at this point, who will "sit out?" Gelfand, Kamsky, Kramnik, Grischuk.

We'll have to see who gets who in the pairings (and then, will it make a difference?). Kramnik is definitely a "clutch" guy but he seems to have a hard time "winning" anything. It will be an interesting set up. But IF Kramnik should get through all this, somehow, he will probably give Anand an even more difficult run for chess' money this time. I just wish we had a world champion who would set the US and Europe on fire with a commercial explosion. Anand, except in his home India, has done nothing... it's not in his nature. For that reason, even though Mr. Kamsky is not Mr. Excitement either, I would like to see him win it for the USA.

Don't know if you agree, but to have EVERYTHING come down to 8 guys playing 4 game mini-matches seems as bad as flipping a coin. Are there any crushers left? Nope. I think chess has gone to a world of probabilities. And probability has a way of smacking you silly when you least expect it. I don't think Anand has anything to worry about (but, remember it has come down to "probabilities.")

Back to work on a couple projects today: a list of some USED products and more work on a Red Wing brochure (which may be emailed in two stages???).

Weirdly, I am getting a LOT of questions about Purdy books and my oldstyle catalogs. I have no idea what has caused this--no doubt an article somewhere. Anyone know? One thing I am sure of, the inflated prices for Purdy books on the internet is being met with skepticism by some as they wait (profitably) for reprints to come from Thinkers' Press.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A PAGE A DAY UNTIL DONE

2011-05-09T08:54:00.002-05:00

Marketing an idea or a product is primarily what I do, and doing that has various degrees of difficulty.

For example, I want to spend a day in Red Wing this week to get some pictures, eat at a restaurant or two, look the locale over and also go to nearby Stillwater (another tourist town).

Why?

To get the lay of the land for the coming Chess Soiree in July.

It will make it easier to discuss to encourage and invite others to come. At the moment I have 4 paid and 2 who told me they WERE coming. It would be really cool to have at least 20. It would no doubt make GM Alex Yermolinsky feel want too! Useful and in an expansive mood to help you.

Going to Red Wing will make it easier to describe, to engulf, and to hope for more. Those of a similar bent will discover "What's the big deal?" I figure:

a) We got Osama out of the way, so we know he won't be there!;

b) Yes, gas has gone up $1/gal. since last year, so just multiply that by the number of gallons you would need to get there (and back) and you will see a "painful reminder" but a small increase in your vacation cost;

c) You will get to meet the man who wrote this incredibly frank book The Road to Chess Improvement (which I am re-reading--it has MORE than "nuggets" in it);

d) Hopefully you can get away from the incessant noise and grind from daily life and experience a little solitude in a place like Minnesota; BTW--Red Wing has an Amtrak station!

e) If you wish you can bring your family (did I just write "solitude?"); and

f) Learning something NEW in the way of chess thrills will leave a lasting memory, a good lasting memory.

In the meantime, I am trying to write a page a day in a special brochure I am working on to get you to change your mind and come to Red Wing (Philosophy 101: "Change your mind" simply means to me you haven't decided (a decision) or you need more details, etc. It's not coercion.)

Soon most of your questions will be answered in the brochure for The Red Wing Soiree. You can get yours when it is ready by contacting:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL IT'S OVER

2011-05-07T11:03:00.002-05:00

Didn't Yogi Berra say that?

Today in the already concluded Candidates' 3rd round Mamedyarov went down to Gelfand. Yesterday I gave the edge to Mamed but instead, paying zero attention to me (ha), he lost today though I have yet to look at the game. Will Mamed fold? I don't know that much about his character. It wasn't unusual for Lasker, for example, to need a warm up of a couple games before he went on a tear.

All the other games were drawn including the last to finish one between Aronian and Grischuk. Aronian had a pawn on the a-file and g-file, and Grischuk had one on the h-file. Each had a Rook, and Aronian was always ONE move away from mating Grishuck but it couldn't happen due to a distant R check.

If you want to know the web site I watched, it was given to me by my longtime Canadian friend Ken MacDonald: http://livechess.chessdom.com/site/

Gives "live chat" too, most of which are not "plot points" by the fanatics but the commentary by strong players on the game is entertaining.

May add more later today... we'll see... time to mow the grass!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

THE CANDIDATES MATCHES 2011

2011-05-06T11:25:00.003-05:00

Whew. One of my customers just informed me of Kamsky's win over Topalov in Rd. 2 of the Candidates. So, I "Binged" (not drinking) the event and I couldn't find anything current--bad for Microsoft's search engine.

But, in the middle of that I read through a web site of harangues about FIDE, Kazan, how it was delayed, and a lot of "crap" by a guy who pretends to tell the truth, but only when it suits him. No PR for that web site.

I switched to FIDE and while they are the official website, no games in progress from today.

So I Googled and did get ChessVibes and played through the game Topalov (white)-Kamsky. Topalov didn't lose because he sacced the exchanged, he lost because he castled queenside and Kamsky was all over him like a cheap suit (Robin Williams) with ...a5. The complications were mind-bending but Kamsky stood his ground through them and Topalov collapsed. It wouldn't be surprising that Kamsky's win in St. Louis of the US championship gave him a little extra jet fuel.

All the other games were drawn.

Yesterday, before round 2 started (all the games in round 1 were drawn) I was going to make some predictions for these chess events and invite readers to send me theirs (and I still invite).

There are some tough pairings and making the calls aren't easy.

1. Topalov-Kamsky. I didn't think it was impossible for Kamsky to beat Topalov. Now I think, in this short 4 game series, it is entirely possible that Topalov might not get to the second tier, what do you think?

2) Aronian - Grischuk. I like Grischuk's chess skills but I am afraid that in the end Aronian will take it because even though he flubbed and flip-flopped in game 1, and Grischuk held tough like a guy trying to get away from a shark, I think Aronian will win. Darn.

3) Kramnik-Radjabov. I read about Kramnik's experience in match play, but realistically, what has that got to do with an older guy playing a younger, very imaginative guy. The only question is how is Radjabov's nerves. Kramnik, in his contest with Topalov and Leko showed he has IRON nerves in the clutch. For this reason, I give Kramnik the edge, IN the first tier.

4) Mamedyarov - Gelfand. Someone else wrote that Gelfand wins events but seldom beats the big guys and I suspect this is still true. But, is Mamedyarov a Big Guy? Rating wise he has been. I remember Mickey Adams and his 2700+ plus rating for a long time, and as good as he is, and he is, he seemed to have trouble beating the big guys too (you just beat the other lower 2700 rated players). Gelfand seems to know his systems well, but he can clutch in a major way and just get rolled off the board; yet, he can evoke mind-numbing draws. I give the edge to Mamedyarov even though he was involved in that brou-haha about cheating (his opponent cheating) a couple years ago.

What do you think? No prizes, no heartbreaks, no WAGs (wild-assed guesses). What does your intuition tell you? After all, HOW can we know for certain?

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

NEW BOOKS HERE IN A COUPLE DAYS

2011-05-05T15:29:00.003-05:00

For the first 4 months of this year, new items in terms of books have been slow to materialize. This doesn't mean "crap" hasn't materialized, crap is always there, poking its nose around in the sewer.

There has been an increase in DVDs from ChessBase.

But sales haven't been rocketing here and I think part of the problem is not "lack of funds" but stuff that has come out hasn't blown up any skirts! If I am wrong, I hope you will write to tell me, but I don't see that happening.

However, sales of Purdy's Chess Chronicles and Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 has continued, along with the new publication SCORE. Amazingly, these are Thinkers' Press publications. Gambit has issued nothing exciting lately and New in Chess is a mixed bag. Everyman has had a few winners and I expect some good stuff from Chess Stars next week.

Still, it isn't easy to get TPi products in the hands of others (resellers) because that would require PROMOTION. I have learned in the chess world, over the years, the ONLY way to promote a very good product, is to have someone who is well respected say somewhere on the web, "This is great." If that person has credibility, it will sell. If that "celeb" says this is GREAT and says it again 2 months later, sales will go on for a lot longer instead of the customary 2-3 weeks (same as movies at the theater).

People are always looking for the next new thing. This is WHY I highly recommend coming to the chess soiree in Red Wing, MN this July 29-30. It is different. There will be a book included in your registration and a workshop with a new book planned called PLANNING AND PREPARATION. There will be a whole NEW idea on learning tactics. These things take time to take hold because REALISTICALLY, chess players are conservatives. How do I know? Easy. When recently I sent out the Newsletter for the Critical Secrets for Success at Chess and Anything Else, I asked if someone besides the publisher (me) would post Yermolinsky's 7 page critique. I didn't hear from even ONE person. It went out to 40 people. That's why whenever a Charles Bronson movie came out it would do well. Everyone urged Bronson's character on to "kick ass" themselves, but individually, no one would do it; I guess we have Navy SEALS to handle all that.

Still, I hear how "busy" everyone is. Then I find out people are still watching DWTS and American Idol, so it's hard for me to believe that. Everyone who is working is exhausted from having 4-6 weeks vacation each year! I have a friend, two years older than I am, retired, and all he does is watch TV! From sun up to sun down. He is bored out of his skull, but he won't break those habits! Instead, he sends me emails of YouTube clips, cartoons and jokes, and aviation stuff! He's even too lazy to take my name off of his scattershot list after I have asked him!

Why don't you break a bad habit and sign up for the Chess Soiree?

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

FIRST THE SECRET NOW THE PLANNING

2011-05-03T18:04:00.002-05:00

In October of 2010 I released The Critical Secret for Success at Chess and Anything Else. It's pricey because the SECRET is worth it.

You can think of it as a Tutor or Tutorial, or a consultation.

Other books will be available in the Series and they won't contain that high of price tag, but they won't be cheap either. The Next one will be on Planning and Preparation. Work has begun and an example of it can be seen in issue #128 of The Chess Reports, the last issue of TCR. CDs will be made available of ALL of the PDFs and with a huge discounted price... and of course if they are on CD they can be printed out as you need them.

They will also be available for individual download when my web site is up.

Most players do little or no planning. Even GM Nigel Short admitted a while back that he doesn't keep track of everything he has played before. He kind of reminds me of GM Reshevsky only a lot funnier and taller. But even though Short wins games by playing "old stuff" he does have a much harder time when he is up against the BEST. These guys understand chess and they do have the ability to "ferret" out good moves at the board too!

For the rest of us, Planning and Preparation is useful. And one thing you will discover during that time is "all kinds" of other things that will help make you a better player. You can see some examples of this in Issue #128, which will be released next week. If you would like to pick up the whole semester, you can, at a ONE WEEK special price only. That is, if you subscribe to Semester 10 you will get the Bonus Issue #128, which will make the total run more than 2,000 pages if you add in the other 9 semesters; and you will get a CD of games from 91-128 later this year. On top of that, all eleven issues will only be $50 (instead of $69.95), a savings of twenty bucks.

One week, expires a week from this Friday, May 13, 2013. After that, no more special offers. I still take Credit Cards (Visa, MC, Discover) and PayPal, checks, MOs, and sometimes, cash (like if you have an appointment).

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

GM IGOR STOHL JOINS STAFF FOR SCORE!

2011-05-01T10:44:00.003-05:00

One of the best chess openings' analysts in the business will be joining SCORE (launches June 3rd, then every three weeks) for Thinkers' Press, inc. for at least TWO of 16 issues between June 3rd and 12 months later. I am already getting positive comments from several TCR (The Chess Reports subscribers).

The subscription price of the magazine will not go up and remains $49.95. In fact, you can get a subscription at $20 if you have NEVER had a subscription to TCR since its inception. If you have you can get in for $45 if you act soon (before end of August). If you happen to have bought a 2011 Gold Card from us you get the subscription for $39.95. If we could make it past 200 subscribers, that would be a great start. So far I have about a dozen. This magazine is $20 less than TCR and will deliver the goods to help you PLAY the openings better. If you subscribe for a Jackson ($20) you will in effect be saving a Grant ($50)! It is a great deal.

The main thrust of this chess openings' magazine is that each issue will have coverage of a major opening, and minor coverage of something either more specialized or less specific. For example, in Issue #1 FIDE Master Charlie Storey will be writing on 1.g3 and IM Andrew Martin, a longtime publishing colleague, will cover the Petroff Defense, no doubt in some specialty line.

Like Gloria Gaynor said, "I'm so excited!"

GM STOHL said he WILL use WORDS!! For those who do not know the Czech Republic GM that well, he has written for New in Chess, Gambit Books, ChessBase, and Chess Informant. His masterwerk for Gambit was Instructive Modern Chess Masterpieces and two volumes on the games of Garry Kasparov. A year ago his book (IMCM) had done so well it was expanded by a further 12 games and ran over 400 pages; a lot of work. While Stohl's expertise is often in the Queen's Pawn systems, he also knows the Sicilian Defense very well.

I urge you to subscribe today at a Bargain basement rate! $20 or $45 in most cases. Everyone tells me they have wanted to see an openings magazine that wasn't over their head and these fellows will be trying as I have told them our audience is for 1000-1600 and 1600-2200 Elo. Those in the higher ranges shouldn't sneer, if you like to do that. We all started out somewhat lower than our peak (and if you didn't what are you reading this Blog for?). And interestingly, I occasionally learn something I should have already known and I bet you have too! At any rate, give us a try. No limp wrists, half-hearteds "I will think about it," etc. You want BOLDER and current data on butt-booting, you will need this. TODAY.

contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A NEW NEWSLETTER

2011-04-29T12:19:00.004-05:00

If you bought the book The Critical Secret For Success at Chess or Anything Else, which was written for the Last Chess Clinic in October 2010, then you knew I was going to put out a newsletter (FREE) for that book and its investors.

It went out today to them. One guy who read it admitted to me that it was hard work he didn't have time for. At least he was honest if nothing else.

In it, in 7 pages, Grandmaster Alex Yermolinsky reviewed the book... or at least enough of it for you to see his take. In addition, while agreeing (thank you) with what I wrote, Yermo added some content of his own and some of his personal recommendations when he was younger.

The book is not cheap, $99 from Amazon. These days, in the magic business, books regularly sell for more than $100. If you think about it for a few seconds you should know why: Something very important is contained within, and it is only allowed to seep out to a select audience. In my book the "secret" is what you are paying for. There are many chapters including a Bonus one.

So it's a lengthy newsletter. And I will SEND it to you FREE as a PDF, as he wrote it, upon request. I need your email address and name. Maybe it will inspire you enough to get the book from Amazon, or from me ($79.95 postpaid anywhere). All I can say is that Alex did a good job in reviewing the book and understanding me, but he didn't get a chance to do the last 4-5 chapters, so there is even more "meat" on those bones of Merlin.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CHESS ARTISTS

2011-04-28T17:49:00.005-05:00

Just sent out issue #127 of THE CHESS REPORTS... the penultimate one. A number of articles were included such as the Alekhine Chatard Attack games of Viktor Korchnoi and a few of my own. It seems, to me anyway, that Korchnoi was not particularly adept at handling the White or the Black side of this scary system and I suspect his "bluff" kept many at bay for years.

The cover features a piece of art done years before, for me, by Jay Christenson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It shows a riverboat gambler chess player with his squeeze, looking perilously over his shoulder and the distracted opponent wondering if he was losing, was it his turn to move, or just plain "Gulp!" The whole picture was featured in my book The Chess Assassin's Business Manual, but it was only in black and white. There are only a few copies of that book left and the price has been raised to $32.50.

Actually, this was an artist's depiction of a real-life situation which happened to a friend of mine, former Texas state chess champ Bill Wheeler. He told me about it in 1972 when we were both in Iceland for the Spassky-Fischer match. The "victim" was Wheeler himself but I believe he did win the game. I thought it particularly "cute" that Jason stuck a "spare Knight" in the gambler's hatband, just in case. And I loved the Snidely Whiplash touch.

Now and again I see good art like this in chess, but not too often. T-shirts are particularly "rank," and I am not referring to the rows on the chessboard. In all these years us chessplayers have gotten what we could afford to pay. When a money making opportunity comes around it is rife with amateurs, rip off artists, and that SMALL percentage of people who are really talented and can produce the goods. But when I have seen t-shirts at chess events I NEVER have seen a rush to buy out the vendor. Not too pound my chest too loudly, but I usually sell out the few times I have done it. I have no more Fischer t-shirts, nor any of the other ones.

In 2010 at the Last Chess Clinic I meant to set aside a t-shirt for myself, and set one aside, but someone grabbed it and without knowing it was mine, I sold it to them! I will have to do better if I do that in the future, put the stuff UNDER the table. It was a madhouse at the sales table.

I am hoping to have some more fun at Red Wing in Minnesota this July. Found out after my event the US Open starts the next day! Isn't that unbelievable? It's so hard to pick a date. I purposely stayed away from the first week in August and they moved it to the end of July. Thanks Orlando. Don't you guys have Mickey Mouse? I've been to Orlando in July and it is a BAD time to be there!! If you don't know what HOT means, I pity you.

I will be producing a set of CDs for The Chess Reports in PDF form. While the regular retail is about $550 this set will be 60+% OFF! So stay tuned. If you have a GOLD CARD you can save even more.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

ANOTHER CHESS BLOG

2011-04-26T13:09:00.004-05:00

Robert Newshutz is, I believe, from Minnesota. He said he would publicize the Chess Soiree to take place in Red Wing, MN with GM Alex Yermolinsky.

His blog is: http://newshutzchess.blogspot.com

Similar to where this Blogpost is coming from, Google.

Tonight and tomorrow I will be putting touches (finishing ones) on the first real Announcement publicizing this event. I hope you folks will read it in the spirit in which it is written: To get you to come to a fine event, have a good time, and learn something along the way.

I plan to discuss the subject of PLANNING which is so poorly covered in chess and to which I have been its victim more than once. Purdy's ghost will have a few words to add also.

GM Yermolinsky will be discerning with us the value of GM Viktor Moskalenko's new work, Revolutionize Your Chess. This was originally going to be part of the Las Vegas Chess Book Camp, but for various reasons, that has been reworked.

It's $189 for two days. There are discounts, but you have to MOVE on it.

More details coming, but why wait--plunge in, the water will be fine.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

MASS MAILING PROBLEM SOLVED!

2011-04-24T10:16:00.002-05:00

But now answering single emails has provided another unneeded twist.

I got dozens of kind folks telling me they got the bulk email sending, but now when I try to answer them, I am told my outgoing server isn't up to snuff. So I am still poking around.

The "problem" with the original batch sending appeared to be the 1.8 Mb file I was sending. Contacting the program developers, they said I could send files up to 15 Mb in size. Maybe, but not this time. So I removed some pages and it worked. Took all evening and night, but it worked.

So while I wish everyone a HAPPY EASTER, there are still some things to take care of. See you when I see you. And to think, the thought of ditching my cell phone had occurred to me too.

Belt tightening is the order of the day as it appears more hiring is being done (a paradox?). Sounds crazy but that's what I am experiencing. April, as I said in an earlier emailing, really bites the Big One.

So this year it will be important for me to more closely watch April for 2012.

Maybe I'll get out today and "smell the roses."

MANUAL/MECHANICAL LABOR ALMOST ALWAYS WORKS

2011-04-23T12:57:00.004-05:00

We have been in the age of advanced technology for some time and it doesn't always work. I "heard" from an engineer I went to school with, in electronics, before 2000, about "cloud computing." So I can imagine others knew about this too and it is NO recent phenomenon. My skepticism has been borne out with Amazon's servers being, essentially, down for several days.

I think what is most incomprehensible to me is that "technocrats" NEVER seem to realize there will come a time when "stuff doesn't work as planned." Especially the stuff which is guaranteed to work such as the "paperless office" I heard about in the mid-80s at a conference I was at. I didn't believe that one either--it has gotten worse! Who is serving this KoolAid? And why are they drinking it themselves?

I want software to work ON my desktop. It has, for many years. I can't trust "cloud computing" to store my stuff AND to get good access to what I need NOW (it will always be slower). I don't trust the gatewatchers and I certainly don't believe cell towers will always work. But the technocrats do. Amazingly, they are totally befuddled by this problem and "what went wrong!" Are these folks living in a dream world? Answer: YES.

Ever notice in the movies how everything works perfectly for scientists and governmental spy agencies (CIA, NSA, etc.)? That's "movieworld." In real life these systems are down WAAAY too often. And one agency will not "database" with another. Nightmare on ELM street.

I've been using my Bulk email server for several years and around renewal time it always craps out. Because of this I was told they would use my credit card every month to avoid this in the future. Here it is, April again, and it's happened! Only this time, they tell me it is MY problem. Funny, I used their servers last week and this last Monday when sending out the Purdy Chess Chronicles. Naturally, I've made no changes in my settings... why would I putz with something that worked?

Outages are a business nightmare.

And as this stuff happens ON or NEAR a weekend (Friday), no one is available to really offer help.

So... until this gets straightened out, I am sending messages about catalogs and such from my MAIL server. Customer and friend Calvin Hori just mentioned to me he GOT my sending of a few moments ago. I really do appreciate this kind of cooperation.

So if I send you something and you have already got it, it means your name is on two different (or more) lists. When the Bulk Email program is working again, it deletes duplicates (same email address)... thus if you get something from me more than once, it is also possible I have two different email addresses from you.

In the meantime, I am attempting to keep my business viable. If you need help or have questions, just contact:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

You can also request the newest catalog supplement. It IS ready.

Thanks.

TESTIMONIAL

2011-04-22T17:06:00.002-05:00

"The mail was just delivered and the new Lasker book (#6) has arrived. I just wanted to let you know that I think it's beautifully done. I haven’t read it yet but just the quality and presentation are wonderful.

Thank you for the work you put into this...it shows immediately. Congratulations."

Ira Schoenwald

I can't add anything to this!

-------

Am having problems with my Bulk Mail Program and Email program today so I will be sending some out manually.

If you don't get one, for whaever reason, pleas request.

Bob

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

S.C.O.R.E. -- OPENINGS FOR THE MOMENT

2011-04-21T17:54:00.002-05:00

Thinkers' Press, inc. has instituted SCORE and it is explained in the 12 page (or so) brochure (which also sells some things) which will be emailed to customers and some potential customers either tonight or tomorrow.

IM Andrew Martin and FM Charlie Storey will be on board and I am hoping to get a GM to help part-time too.

Back to work.

But you can always contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: The 12-pager will also have MORE details on the Red Wing Chess Event.

A COUPLE "NEWS" BITS

2011-04-20T10:12:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I was informed of another attendee at the Chess Soiree at the end of July (29-30)--coming from Tennessee, originally from Florida. A very interesting history. One thing I would enjoy attendees doing is to send me a brief C.V. (life resume) if they are coming. WHY? Because it is amazing how "in common" we people are. If I share with someone a background in mathematics, magic, or typography, for example, I often run into others of a similar strain and sometimes lifelong friendships develop. While one "might" think the world can be very "secretive," I have discovered that one can develop "secretive" friendships too--commonality matters. At these events I see old friends, make new ones, and I have registered guests OFTEN tell me they met so and so and he is a "cool guy" and it would never have happened if they hadn't come together. This "party" is meant to be "intimate" and not a huge crowd--I can run other events for that. I do recommend you get your Country Inn reservations in too, maybe even before contacting me, if you want the $100/nite rate. (651-388-9000, The Chess Group). A block of 20 has been saved for us. If we get less than that, the room rate goes to $119.95.

Am still working on an encompassing brochure to get YOU to come. As to reasons why you can't make it: I am sorry you can't. Another friend, a master sergeant buddy, who was also a drill instructor, told me that in his job, "one excuse was as good as any other," and of course, that's right. The other day I was 5 minutes late meeting someone, and I am rarely ever late. I gave up a stupid excuse, "Traffic." While it was true, everyone was out on the road that day, I should have started sooner, as I usually do. I apologized to her, she forgave me, still, she was gracious while I was "late." I deserved a half hour of "jail time."

A new supplemental chess catalog, for May? I am working on one. How is it different from anything Amazon or anyone else does? Simple. Yes, simple: I give you real information. But I have added a new twist to show you I have really looked through the item: I give you the author's sense of what he is writing. For example, in Gary Lane's newest (Prepare to Attack), and in my opinion, best book, he writes a little about HOW opening choices are made. The Sicilian Dragon is often chosen by juniors because it has a "cool name." He himself came to learn the Advance French when he was younger because he looked for the "shortest" line of the French Defense in the day when MCO (Modern Chess Openings) was recommended. Often it is as simple as that! He said he still plays it from time to time. And in that same book he shows a game where he, as White, is on the receiving end of the Latvian Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5) which he refers to as a Reversed King's Gambit. The game is a very tense struggle (2006), but after 19-20 moves Black is all tied up and resigns with his kingside pieces still in their places on the backrow, and the black K being bound and gagged on the queenside at a7!!

As I mention on my new products page, THIS current crop of Everyman Chess books is the best I have seen since the Kasparov series. I am sure we have GM John Emms to thank for this.

The catalog PDF is FREE upon request. I just need your full name and email address. It won't be ready for a few days.

Lastly, yesterday I mailed out the sixth issue of Lasker and His Contemporaries #6 in a crush proof stay-flat mailer. And all single copies went out First Class mail. This is just another enhancement of services from Thinkers' Press and G&L CHESS. Hope you who ordered it get yours soon. Copies are now available for $34.95 + $4.00 for S&H. 72 pages, letter size, printed. Slick cover. Lots of topics.

Tell your friends, if you have any (an old joke), about this Blog if you don't mind.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com -- serving chess enthusiasts worldwide.

PURDY CHESS CHRONICLES #3

2011-04-19T09:52:00.002-05:00

Now that #2 of Purdy's Chess Chronicles has been released to subscribers, I admit, I can't wait to begin starting on #3! Here's how it works:

When reproofing the contents and looking up pages invariably one stumbles across other articles, photos, concepts... and I did this last night. Wow, the Bled 1931 tournament, a playoff match with Goldstein of 6 games, 4 reported on, and lots of little anecdotes, stories on Alekhine, Lasker and such. In fact, one or two stories will end up in Lasker & His Contemporaries #7 such as an interview with Lasker.

Is this how it's done with other publishers? I doubt it. I think the $$$ laden sit down with an organization chart, partition stuff out to the "right" people, set up the calendars, haul their laptops around, have meetings, get advertising, and somewhere down the road, put something together. I don't know what their lead time is... but that is for ONE project.

At Thinkers' Press it is one person, and one library, but having internet services where I can connect with others. Then I look at which wheels need the most greasing. Lastly I begin looking through documents which have been saved or are piled in a certain area and go through them.

When I have some idea, maybe from previous work, how much time will be needed to flesh out the next one... I get to work. Sometimes from a sketchy clipboard outline. During all that flossing I pack orders, make up new flyers and catalogs.

All this keeps me pretty busy and keeps vacations from happening.

I should be working more on the web site and a new catalog. The catalog can wait a little bit because very few people order from them. The main object of getting a catalog is to GET a new catalog, look through it and query, "I wonder when they will release their next one... I didn't find much of interest here." In general that is because that person is not committed to anything except being a dilettante. Your hear these conversations at Borders and elsewhere when people talk about cars, science fiction, women, their job, and so on. Lots of talk. The one I used to HEAR most, in person, to me, was: "I want to write a children's book!" One person actually told me that they did!

C.J.S. Purdy was committed. He read, he played, he wrote, he published. Seems like a good model to follow to me.

For any further info, contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

MUSTAFFAH PURDY!!

2011-04-18T09:58:00.005-05:00

In 1998 I had arranged, along with Prof. Ralph Tykodi, to have John Purdy (son of Cecil, or CJS) Purdy, and Frank Hutchings, son-in-law of CJS, to come to the United States for the First Chess Festival. It was a blast.

That evening, or the next day, we went to Harold's on the Rock, a steakhouse of known exotic tastes. They listed ostrich on the menu and one of those fellows ordered it! They had never tasted ostrich before!

There were more surprises for myself and them. When they landed the first thing they wanted to do was get a close-up look at the Mississippi River (which they flew over) and the Rock Island Lines railroad. So I took them to the "station" which has since been converted to a Visitor's Center and restaurant (I think).

Then I took them to my offices. During that visit I said I wanted to show them something. I was a tad nervous about this since I didn't know their idiosyncrasies, but I chanced it and showed them a picture of Dad and Father-in-Law, according to the Mod Squad-Times newspaper. John and Frank howled with glee! Then they started telling me stories of "Dad" and his attempts at finding a wig to cover his lack of hair. According to them, NONE of his choices were good and the rendition that Rob Long (my son) chose, might've been the most appropriate! We had some great laughs.

In the meantime, Purdy's Chess Chronicles #2 is completed. I am proofing it now and it should be available later this afternoon.

If you are interested in reading the comments of Purdy, his henchmen (Steiner, Goldstein, etc.) you really should subscribe to all four issues for 2011. Each runs about 45-50 pages. With the first issue you will also get the Bonus Index, and the Bonus Interview with Alekhine, which has some hilarious moments in it.

In issue #2 you will see that the Koshnitsky-Purdy match has been unearthed, the one played in 1937, not an earlier training match: 14 annotated games. Also Part II of his opening article on the soundness of the French, how the Queen is over-rated, a story by the roving chess reporter Chielamangus, and the various "disguises" of Cecil Purdy (along with other bits).

Easily worth the $69.95 I am asking for approximately 180 letter sized pages of material you most likely haven't seen anywhere else because they are taken from the pages of Purdy's earliest publication, the Australasian Chess Review.

I am so sure that you will love it that I offer a money back guarantee. I need your email address to download the PDF directly to you. I take PayPal, credit cards except American Express), cash, checks, money orders. If you need to know how to pay, call me at 563-271-6657.

Once again, you can contact me (Bob Long) at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LASKER & HIS CONTEMPORARIES #6 IS HERE!

2011-04-16T00:01:00.000-05:00

Right on time (Friday at 5 p.m.)

I think it looks excellent. A few fotos from early turn of the century could be better and they might be the next time. Often they are unpredictable when looking at a computer monitor.

But it is clean, clear, sharp, and readable.

It will still be $25.00 + $3.50 for shipping by tomorrow night. After that, the price increases $10.

My printer wastes ZERO time in sending me the bill!

I will have what are called STAY FLAT envelopes for shipping these out on Tuesday (I won't get them until 5 p.m. on Monday, almost last on the UPS route). Bulk copies will probably go out tomorrow morning those who want 5-10 copies.

I now need to finish up Purdy #2.

Special offer on that ends tomorrow too. Save $10.

Think you will have fun with Lasker #6? Yes.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

RED WING ROOM BOOKINGS

2011-04-15T15:01:00.004-05:00

Already 3 of the 4 who have paid for the Red Wing event have told me they have booked or soon will be booking rooms to sleep in.

I just got a notice from the Inn this afternoon that only 28 rooms are left. We have blocked out 20 and 3-4 are already taken. So if we have more than 20, people run the risk of no rooms at the Inn... and I would hate that. I urge contacting them now. If something comes up, you can cancel later, but, they can't make NEW rooms available.

I have run a bunch of events in 30 years BESIDES chess. I used to have Magic events too and they were very successful. I have booked tournaments and they tended to do well too. A friend and I are talking about creating an event planner web site and book--all the stuff needed for a successful one. And, having stayed in a kabillion (as she describes big numbers) motels and hotels, I know how good of an idea it is to get a reservation in EARLY plus, ONE MORE THING: contact them a month later to make sure there has been NO flub.

It happens. I remember having a hotel deal in Chicago (at the Essex?). Normally $98, or something like that, and we had a $68 weekend special. When we got there they said, "I'm sorry, I can find no reservation for you Mr. Long." I looked this lying s.o.s. in the eye and said, "I am not leaving this counter window until you you do find it." For some reason, known only to God and him, he was "looking in the wrong file." He found it, and everything was FINE. Course I wouldn't dream of staying there again. My guess is that some Bigger event had come along and they could make $30 more by throwing me out on my butt.

I am not thinking or saying that Country Inn & Suites would do that, they aren't in Chicago. But... it's business AND why take a chance? No good reason. The $100 a nite rooms? I would snap them up. I got their new rates and they start at $128.95. Also, you can catch AMTRAK to Red Wing. For some that would be perfect.

And if you register early you can save money and if you have a Gold Card you can save more money.

NOTE: I am an idiot sometimes about certain things. I have been known to register for hotels and motels at the last minute simply because I have TOO much on my plate. I once had to sleep in my car--every hotel, inn, motel, for 30 miles was booked to the gills. Even a wedding couple had to sleep in a pasture (I hope not!). No joke. Cars are really uncomfortable. Don't be like me about this. I hope to call them this weekend, and I expect to stay an extra nite. I have heard some others say they may get there early too.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: I am expecting Lasker #6 this Monday. I have also ordered special mailing containers for them too!

ON THE CALENDAR FOR TODAY

2011-04-14T12:12:00.004-05:00

1. The Chess Reports #126 will go out this afternoon--once the laborious proofing is done. It looks to be 23 pages with an extensive 2 page ad for chess history books--lots of details. One of my favorite books was Soltis' Soviet Chess. Extraordinary. Botvinnik's paranoia was off the charts.

2. Four have already paid for the trip to Red Wing, MN this July 29-30. I am encouraged this will be a great event. I hope you blog readers will consider it. The past couple weeks have had information on it and I will have a more detailed listing soon.

3. When things go wrong! I just checked my contact list and one of my favorite customers has gone missing! Don't know if it is the software or me. I may have deleted the wrong card, and in that case, it deletes everything connected with that gentleman. HENCE, if you suspect you aren't getting the catalogs or lists you used to get from me, let me know. I will fix this right away. It would be valuable if such contact lists kept track of the times you have received or sent emails from someone, and query with: "Hey Jack, are you sure you want to erase this dude?"

4. I've gotten positive comments from my use of Stevette in my recent ads including one from a good friend, STEVE Lamansky. Gee, what a coincidence!

5. Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 should be here soon. Make sure you have let me know you want one. $25 + $3.50 for mailing. Special rate is up this weekend. Then it's $34.95 + $3.50.

JUST a THOUGHT: Have you noticed in chess books these days, even Gambit, the "word" OK? Of course we know the word is "okay," but even the Russians are doing it. Two capital letters together, what kind of word is that (excluding, perhaps, a proper name)?

Okay now, back to work.

I am getting some more pictures up on Facebook of book and project covers. It's under Thinkers' Press, inc. maybe you will want to link into it.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

MEET STEVETTE MY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT!

2011-04-12T16:44:00.005-05:00

Working for free, and mostly vacuuming, I asked "Stevette" (yes, I am sure, somewhere in the world, someone DOES have this name--which, believe me, is amazing!) to prepare some special offers and recap the ones already in place, because, during the month of APRIL, cash flow sucks. That means using credit cards, which is already bad enough.

I am trying to figure out WHERE this economy is improving! Does anyone know?

In the meantime, a few days ago I sent out a hefty 10 page PDF to those on my email lists and it contained, in essence, the Thinkers' Press, inc. catalog--full of pictures, and words. We call this, "attempting to jump start the orders."

DID ANYTHING HAPPEN?

Nothing much happened, so Stevette added a front page today and took away another page. So, it is still 10 pages, but hopefully the front page will get your heart palpitating and your hand reaching for your wallet. When I was in the "magic" business (mostly closeup) in the 80s, we demoed and we sold. We hated having people waste their time coming in to see, NOTHING! So we were always buying and selling. We had regulars and irregulars.

Well, it is like that to some degree in the chess business too, but demoing a book isn't so easy. Maybe a position from a book, but that's about it!

So Stevette, who is clammoring for a job at Thinkers' Press, inc., put together some highlights and sweetened the pot to get the Blog Readers anxious enough to READ further and find out that I have been working on a Sales List of Previously Owned Merchandise, or collectibles, used stuff... or as they called it in the old days, "Second Hand." That doesn't mean it is shoddy though, does it?

A new list, new shelving arrangements, completer descriptions, and little extras. Someone asked me about the value of some non-chess stuff the other day. The books were bound in leather, first editions, in a series, and OLD... like in the 1880s. $10 a volume!!! Crap value wise--old does not mean valuable. Chess books are pretty much like that too for used copies.

Someone tried to sell me some of his collection the other day and while there were a couple "nice" items in it, most of it was junk which could be bought off the 'net' for two bits (if you know the right people). Stuff like Informants, ECOs, and things like that are $5 or LESS! If you need some to fill holes, keep searching because anything more than that is fraud. There are thousands of these items out there--and they aren't moving. Hence, what I am purveying on these lists is the kind of jazz you seldom see on eBay, Amazon, Abe, etc. Foreign stuff which to order from Germany is a big pain in the rear in many cases. (Exchange rate, shipping, customs, language).

SO WHAT IS STEVETTE DOING NOW?

She tied this new list to purchasing items from the TPi catalog which is going out right now. That is, if you buy from this new catalog, anything amounting to $35 or more (that's not hard to do these days), you will get the LIST first. Then a week later, after the "vultures," (er... collectors) have gone through it, the lists will be released to others.

To get you all kinds of interested, and wondering where your matches are, I am putting up a picture of Stevette, the babette, on the post for today. She is vacuuming. When business picks up, she can put that "Hoover" away, come over and sit on my lap, and sort the mail.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Lasker & HIS CONTEMPORARIES #6 FRIDAY??

2011-04-11T19:21:00.004-05:00

When my printer releases a title such as Lasker #6 that doesn't mean it will be on the truck that afternoon.

However, I have "hope" (which is a poor substitute for strategy) that they will be here this Friday or next Monday or Tuesday. I got the word of their "release" today.

Lots of articles, photos, explanatory essays, and some scarce stuff such as a complete listing and explanation of Lasker's "mathematical papers" by master Nathan Divinsky, himself a mathematician in Canada. In fact, Divinsky will be featured in Chess EXTRAS #6, which will probably be out later this year. I am working on that issue as I go along; it's the fastest way.

My publishing schedule has ramped up, but as some can tell, the event in Minnesota is quite a bit on my mind at the moment. Today someone in Spokane WA evinced interest. It's one of those things where iy is important to get people to get out of the woodwork, look around, and then say, "Yeah, that sounds like fun!" I wanted to call it a Quiet Riot, but that name was taken in the music world.

Also, my first negative review of a ChessBase DVD appeared today in what I am putting together for The Chess Reports #126, due out this Friday. Andrew Martin's articles is also here and if you have ever been bugged by weird openings, or play them yourself, there is "stuff" on the SNIPER, also known years ago as the Pterodactyl. In this case it is only the name which is weird, not the moves. However, there is a game between Ian Rogers and Gruenfeld which Bill Lombardy called the Saragossa Opening (1.c3)

Once again, something for everyone including a dissected BEST move or "What are those Double Exclams for?" A subscription can be had for Semester 10, one week only, for $45 instead of the usual $69.95. 10 fat issues, in color, PDF and emailed to you. Deadline, this Saturday (April 16th).

That's all for now, you can contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LODGING COSTS AND BARGAINS

2011-04-09T12:18:00.002-05:00

In Oct. 2010 the Last Chess Clinic was held at a great hotel, the Clarion, in which overniters were charged only $74/nite. These days, that IS an amazing bargain.

In Red Wing, MN, where the next event will take place, the Chess Soiree, we will stay over nite at Country Inn & Suites for $100/nite!! Yes, the tourist season IS busy in MN (try going inside to Cabella's and see just how busy IT is!). But, when I originally contacted Erin it was $119.95 per nite. She's such a sweetie we were able to get the rooms at $100.00, another bargain these days especially at that time of the year.

The have a number of King-size and Queen-size beds set aside for the CHESS GROUP. That's what we are being called, to keep it simple. Call the front desk at 651-388-9000 and ask for the Chess Group rates for July 29, and July 30. I hope you will stay there, it makes it easier on everyone including yourself. Our meeting area will be convenient and we will be close to everything else. By setting aside a room block of 20 (maybe more) we will get that rate. So I urge you to call today, or this coming week.

And, I NEED to do that myself! (I am notorious about last minute lodging. Once I slept overnight in my car. I'm telling you, that was NOT interesting! There were mosquitoes outside, the size of B52s, trying to get in!)

That CHESS GROUP number again is: 651-388-9000.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com IF YOU NEED MORE INFO.

MAKE THAT FIVE FOR MINNESOTA'S RED WING!

2011-04-08T18:16:00.003-05:00

Steve Lamansky is signing up for the Chess Soiree in Late July. Steve has been at almost everything Thinkers' Press inc. has done. He even came to celebrate at the one in July in Savannah GA, though I had to cancel the Clinic and move it a month later. Still, he and Ron Nurmi came to Savannah and we went out to dinner and had a great time while walking through downtown Savannah on the waterfront.

Why would anyone do this? Because they like the Mental Lift, the Time Out, being with Great people. Yes, they are supporters of Chessco, Thinkers' Press, and G&L CHESS, but they don't have to come. They come because it's enjoyable, fraternal and a learning experience. This soiree (meaning a party for the invited) has some new ideas and GM Alex Yermolinsky for the celebrated guest.

We also have a newcomer to our "parties," from Minnesota. A long time customer he wants to be in on the fun before moving elsewhere (out of the country).

A couple nites ago I issued an invitation to 96 people who have been supporters of these things. I asked those who got one to get in touch with me to come to another. Next week, or later, I will ask others who might like a chance at a unique chess experience (notice I did not say "most unique" which when you ponder is gilding the lily. It's unique or it isn't. BTW, who would want to gild a lily?)

This invite is also open to those who read this Blog. If you are out of the country, come like Ken MacDonald did last year (a dyed in the wool Canadian) or Martin Stafford, all the way from New Zealand. Statewise we've had people come from California, Texas, Florida, New York, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon and the states in between... so "you CAN make it." Sometimes I think some chess players are terrified of having a good time about a game that is supposed to be serious... well, I don't think of chess as serious at all except that it can be seriously FUN!

Am working on a Thinkers' Press catalog to send out to everyone whose email address I have, this weekend. If you don't want to be missed, write me at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

THE CHESS SOIREE IN RED WING, MINNESOTA

2011-04-07T18:31:00.003-05:00

It's been a busy day!

Four people are either seriously interested or have already put money down for the event in Red Wing--woo hoo! Some have even suggested they will arrive early.

My New Zealand friend, Martin Stafford, said he wished he could think of an "excuse" to get to the USA this summer. Last year he showed at our Chess Clinic in October since he was on Agri business here in Florida.

Dale Suilmann wrote today and said:

"I have good memories of Alex's presentations at Jumers Castle Lodge years ago.My impression then was that he had a terrific ability to convey his thoughts about chess positions -- great insight and very instructive. I can almost see one of the positions in my head now where Alex explained why a queen exchange was so favorable for one of the players (he hadn't seen the position before), and then the presenter (Khmelnitsky maybe?) proceeded to confirm Alex's evaluation as he presented the next few moves of the game."

Hope you give me a SHOUT at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS TODAY

2011-04-05T21:52:00.002-05:00

1. I am uploading PDFs tonight of The Chess Reports, Chess EXTRAS as well as other PDFs to my Web Site (still unannounced until all of this is done). I will also be loading pictures of other things I sell. It will probably take me 2 months however to complete.

2. I have the agreements, contracts, etc. ready to go for the Red Wing Chess Event. My web guy has already told me he has been to Red Wing twice and it will be a great location. I know the price, the hotel details, what you will need, what is included, etc. I will announce more details this Saturday along with the program. The cost, if you need to know now is $189.00 and will include a copy of a book we will be using at the two day event. You will be shipped the book in advance to look over. There will be plenty of other things too. If you already have the book, you will be given a credit.

3. Two have ALREADY signed up!! Yippee.

4. It will be called the Chess Soiree 2011. Look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible!

Please contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

NO REST FOR ME

2011-04-04T21:24:00.003-05:00

Have not been on here for a couple days but there are some great things in the planning. Readers of The Chess Reports will find out soon and be the first to know and experience.

I am working on another book for David Rudel and while I can't tell you what it is, be blown away by the cover AND the contents!

A special emailing will go out tonight--I hope you read it and act right away to save BIG BUX! And my Bulk emailer in Mass. has sent me info on a completely new and better (yeah) interface which I am hoping will make my job easier.

Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 finally did go to the printer on Saturday. I am glad I did wait a couple days (always those last minute look overs) because something important came in Saturday's mail.

Most of the work has been completed for Alekhine the Executioner. I will be adding a few more games as I didn't annotate as deeply as I had on Lasker and Blackburne because the moves OFTEN were obvious BUT the Execution (the diagram at point of impact!) was not!

So as you can see, it's been busy here. If I could just be busy packing orders that would be even better! Hope to get a mini-Catalog out this week!

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WHERE THE CHESS GROUP IS GOING TO BE

2011-04-01T10:29:00.002-05:00

It's official! We know where the Chess Summer Event will be and I hope you call them today! I blocked TWENTY ROOMS for us.

Where this will be, in Red Wing, Minnesota, is a lovely place and hopefully a perfect place. I spent days and lots of hours checking these various places out (maybe a couple dozen), so here is what I know and have found out:

1. Country Inn & Suites -- Red Wing, MN 55066

4275 Highway 61 West.

2. The DIRECT Telephone # to Register for the CHESS GROUP is: 651-388-9000. They should have us set up soon. If the person at the desk doesn't know what you are talking about, have them confer with "Erin" (in charge of group sales).

3. Room Rate for that time of the year is $119.90 for July 29 and July 30, each night. If you come a day early, like I plan to do, that is, July 28th, it is $109.90. IF we get 20 or more people (soon) they will discount the rates another $10.00 (keep that in mind). Remember, what you see on the web MIGHT be $30 cheaper (or look cheaper), but that doesn't include the premium for the Summer months. I would like everyone to be in the same Hotel (nope, I do not get a rebate for this). It looks to be a GREAT place and Red Wing a GREAT city!

4. The Hotel Tax rate is 9.875%.

Actually, I was quite pleased with the prices for our stay because in the Summer months in Minnesota they go up to about $180 (or more) per nite the farther North you go--and what I asked for were the weekend rates. I know some of you were quite anxious about dates and places so THAT is now ready to go. If you want to see the amenities and all that goes with the Country Inn, go to:

http://www.countryinns.com/red-wing-hotel-mn-55066/mnredwin/rooms

As I said the other day, I don't have the Registration Fee for this 2 day event figured out yet nor contracts dealt with, so I should know that in a couple days. I think it will be $175.00 and $150.00 if you have a Gold Card 2011... but I have to check with some people.

I will also give you the intended program, hours, and tell you something about Red Wing--which is quaint, exciting, a great place where everyone is welcome... take a couple days off and take a LOAD off and spend it with me (Bob Long), Alex Yermolinsky, and OUR friends. If you want to do more, come a day early (some people often do this to acclimatize).

Do me a little favor IF you would. Please email me that you have reserved a room, and tell me how soon you want to register with me (that would be: bob@thinkerspressinc.com). What I am LOOKING for, to be honest, are great people and those who want to register early. If you don't have a GOLD CARD but register early there will be a registration discount. This meeting area only has room for 30 people (we had 38 at the Last Chess Clinic) + a sales area. I never kid about space or early registration. I know some people got a kick out of all the different brochures I sent out last year (ELEVEN!!) to entice them to come, but it was pretty draining in terms of time. And after the 7th sending, it produced no NEW results.

Like I said about the programme... there will be impromptu sessions, but also some FIXED events.

ONE OTHER REASON for REGISTERING EARLY:

Chess in Minnesota is fanatical. There are players from all over this HUGE state. I have sold MANY times in Minneapolis/St. Paul and a lot of people up there know me. So EXPECT Minnesotans to be at the Red Wing Soiree. To guarantee your SEAT, please register EARLY!

Take me seriously... Lots of people in Minnesota will jump at this. I remember what Andy Ansel said to me last year at the Last Chess Clinic (he came from NYC): "I thought I would have an OK time, but it turned out to be Fantastic!"

Looking forward to seeing you... now I can get some other PLANNING done!

I'VE FOUND THE PLACE!!

2011-03-30T12:56:00.002-05:00

If you think holding an event, anywhere, is easy as 1-2-3, well, then you aren't me!

I have spent a lot of hours looking for a nice place, an affordable place, and one with access from airports or a scenic drive if you go that route... and I think I have it.

Sometime, within the next 24 hours, I will have information confirmed about price and other amenities and I will then let you know. The place is so cool it makes my hair stand on end. Not a big metro area, a small, touristy, nifty area where this Hotel has what we need, and access for everything else.

If the place turns out as great as it sounds, it's one of those places where you would want to go again! Near neat sights and sounds. A gambling casino is 15 or more miles away. Great restaurants of all kinds. The scenery and locale is breathtaking.

I looked at bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and while MOST of them looked very good, they were just too small for our needs. "Our" meeting place holds up to 40 people at tables, but I would say up to 30 comfortably with sales table, a place to play, talk and goof off. Free breakfast. I'm looking at July 29 and 30 as the overnight stays, with people leaving on Sunday the 31st. I may get there a day early (Want to come early? Let me know.), i.e., July 28th so I can take the area in, relax a little, and not be rushed. Very informal. Walking the streets, checking out the shops... looking for a place that sells superb fudge!

On Friday the check in time starts at 3 p.m. We'll roll about 6-7 pm to 10 pm, and then on Saturday, we'll start about 10 am and run to 6 pm... pretty much our usual approach. Then if you find something fun you want to do in the evening on Saturday, you will have time.

I have a book planned, and a number of great activities including TACTICS at the board. I seriously suggest you renew your USCF membership (whether you like the USCF or not) because there will be a small tournament included with the tactics session and you will be required to keep score because there will be a great memento (FREE) which each of you will get mailed to you afterward.

As you might have read, GM Alex Yermolinsky will be there too! I don't have the rates for the event yet as I have two contracts to negotiate but they will be based on that. I highly recommend getting a 2011 GOLD CARD ($50) now, because you will save $25 on the event plus more on any of the things you purchase. You'll have that card paid for before you leave town and can still use it the rest of the year (including NOW)! This "golden offer" expires March 31, 2011 (after tomorrow).

More details coming... including the probable Programme. It's just a FEW days out of your life, and those who read this Blog are definitely welcome to come, participate, and enjoy all the experiences I, Alex, and our guests can bring to this event in a sweet environment! More details coming. Accepting the FIRST 30 confirmed. One has already sent in his reservation.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

IF I WERE THE ENVIOUS TYPE... I'D BE...

2011-03-29T09:34:00.003-05:00

"envious" of the planning, the chess celebrities, and the events that happened at last year's London Chess Classic.

Take a look at today's link: http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7112

It seemed to me to be a very splendid affair. In a way, I feel I can take some credit for that, so I should be happy. There were grandmasters, news people, entertainment, a big spread for eating, chess play, commentary, and it looks to me, a lot of smiling faces.

One of the organizers and directors was IM Malcolm Pein. For anyone who was at our Chess Festival III in 2002 at Jumer's, The Castle Lodge, Malcolm was one of my invited guests. He was having the time of his life he told me. Said he had been to events everywhere, "Yours was the best!" he offered. Maybe he wasn't exaggerating.

We had GM Jonathan Rowson, IM John Donaldson, Prof. Raymond Smullyan, IM Pein (who lectured humorously on Kasparov's loss to Deep Blue and other political agendas) and Michael Fisher, I had more people show up at that huge affair than any other I have done--54 PAID. I think Pein had a really good time and it looks like he is modeling his Chess Classics after it and tossing in some extras (which events in London can afford to do with the right sponsors). My company, Thinkers' Press, paid for all of ours.

At the moment I am planning a smaller event in Southern Minnesota and should have some more news tomorrow about where. I will be sending out invitations to you who read this Blog, regular customers, and good friends. GM Alex Yermolinsky has already accepted my invitation. You'll find out more later. Looks to be July 29-30.

If you are interested you can contact me right away. Part of the "problem," if one wants to call it that, is to find a place big enough for 20 people, and affordable (I realize this word means different things to different people). Hopefully, tune in tomorrow for the latest info.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LASKER #6 CLEANUP

2011-03-28T17:57:00.002-05:00

Still proofing and it's a good thing. Finding niggling little errors. Probably won't find them all, but found more than I wanted to!

Finish up back cover and should send it off Wednesday or Tuesday evening. Then on to this Friday's THE CHESS REPORTS and finish that.

Also, have been looking at places to stay for the end of July Chess Event. Have a list of people to call. The BEST places (i.e., lodges and so on) are in Northern Minnesota. Not cheap, but really cool. Less access to airports of import. They charge a ton in winter and another ton in Summer--must be something messed up about that picture. Anyway, looking for places in Southern Minnesota that are business or meeting oriented. Lots of emphasis, it seems, is on family (i.e., kids) fun and fishing, skiing, polar bear annihilation (kidding), and throwing snowballs or is it snowmobiles? How about just ATMOSPHERE and SCENERY? Can we live with that? And great breakfasts? And a large hall with fireplace in the evening? Of course, but not easy to find.

Mr friend Bobbie in Tulsa is helping me look. Thanks Bobbie.

Let ya know later... no pic of THE COLLECTOR for today; too many irons in the fire.

NOTE:

Am picking up some CAISSA EDITIONS books in hardcover, so stay tuned. Mint.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WHAT HAPPENED TO FRIDAY?

2011-03-26T08:08:00.002-05:00

Yesterday was a very busy day and I completely forgot about scanning in THE COLLECTOR and saying something about it and I can't do it today either as I have been making up a list of the individuals who have qualified for a FREE copy of the new Blackburne book, about 20 of you and ...

I've been looking at lodges, resorts, etc. in Southern Minnesota for the upcoming event (more details next week).

Dropped taxes paperwork off to accountant yesterday who didn't look overpoweringly busy. I suppose that's because it isn't April 14th. I read recently that those who file by March have greatly lowered stress levels. Works for me.

Today it looks like working on some ads, The Chess Reports, etc. Usual stuff but put in a little time with grandson and the gym. Hoping this weather warms up slightly. Isn't this nuts?

Doing more reading on Alekhine, Bled 1931, attacking chess... and hoping to get the new book on Feynman this weekend, Quantum Man, featured on Science Friday yesterday.

Sure, I am the editor and publisher of The Chess Reports and it would be great if more people subscribed. I admit, it is not New in Chess, but, I never intended it to be. My audience agrees that what TCR does, NIC doesn't--which is to inform and help the person trying to move his skill level upward and while NIC is aimed at the much stronger players, many lower ranked guys also subscribe to it (I used to). Soon all back issues of TCR will be loaded onto the web for individual purchase. Issue #125, coming up, will have a big feature on Cyrus Lakdawala's new book, a ferocious opening repertoire. It really is quite interesting and valuable, but I will give all the details in the upcoming issue along with some games from it because he says such cool things as: "The Veresov was made to play against the Dutch!" (I am paraphrasing). I will admit, I have done OK against the Dutch when I played the Veresov and all of its sibling components.

Thus, it looks like another busy Saturday. Trip to the post office, change the sheets, you know, all that time wasting stuff that is important.

PS: Will probably be thinking about Alekhine's 1931 Bled tournament too where in the first half he was blowing everyone off the board, and in the second half he was playing very risky (no doubt trying to maintain his momentum and show his superiority, all over again) and in danger of losing several games, which, he didn't!

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CELEBRATING BLACKBURNE TWICE!!

2011-03-24T18:08:00.004-05:00

Joseph Henry Blackburne was a character, and a coach, and a blindfold chess player, and if they had such a title back then, he would have been a Chess Grandmaster too. He loved his whiskey and he loved his "trappy openings."

I celebrated him twice today because:

1. Blackburne The Black Death in Spades just came in from the printer yesterday. It has 41 pages, costs a measly $12.95, and contains 40 + games, all wins (with white or black pieces). But not all the wins are commonplace. Some were retrieved from long forgotten issues of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. With John Blackstone's help, my master friend from California and Las Vegas, this inexpensive booklet was put together. It's part of a plan to grow my customer database away from the clutches of Amazon.com who "wants it all." If you purchase $100 or more worth of chess stuff from G&L CHESS every two months, you will get the FREE booklet for that period (Jan-Feb, Mar-Apr, May-June, etc. The first issue in the series called The Chess Gangs of New York and London was Lasker The Ultimate Streetfighter. It has proven to be quite popular and if you choose to buy one, it's just $12.95 plus a little S&H ($3.50 in the US).

2. The sixth issue of Lasker & His Contemporaries is ready to go to the printer--the last one, #5, was published in 1997! This one is bigger than any of its predecessors--72 pages, letter sized. Lots of articles but since our topic is Blackburne, he gets two pages extracted in portions from an article in an 1899 issue of Chess, not to be confused with any other magazines since then called "Chess." What a chess player killer he was! The magazine, for only three more weeks is available at $28.50 which includes S&H in the USA. After tax day it goes to $38.45 in the USA. The author of that article tries to figure out why people back then (and to some degree, even now) would pay more to see a sport than a chess contest (Yes, I will admit that the "action" is slower, but I think there is another reason, a big one the author misses, and it's revealed in L&HC #6). Will you agree? Is Elmer Fudd bald? Does Gadaffi's mustache look bad?

So that's what's going on today. If you have a FREE copy coming, you should have it within a week. It's for the months: Jan-Feb.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

THE STARE -- ANOTHER SMALL POSTER

2011-03-23T22:18:00.002-05:00

Third in the series of four, Bill Hannan portrayed two guys facing off against each other in a battle of wits and wills in THE STARE. Usually this happens, if it does happen, among the "elite" who are trying to grab their opponent's soul. I have doubts about its efficacy because it may just make some players more determined to flay (and filet) your hide.

However, I have seen "bigger" players try to "bully" smaller fry. These days that can really be a dangerous proposition as some of these kids are monster stompers and ignore their troublemakers like they were belly button lint!

Same size as other posters. I think these two gents could look through steel doors with their gazes. Friday I will scan in and present, THE COLLECTOR.

IN THE MEANTIME

Copies of Blackburne the Black Death in Spades will begin shipping tomorrow. I didn't get them until 6:30 p.m. tonight! For you who are buying, it is $12.95 + $3.50 for S&H. Looks rather nice.

AND, Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 is within a day or so of going to the printer. Still proofing some odds and ends and adding bits. $24.95 + $3.50 S&H in USA. After April 15th, which isn't that far away, it will be $34.95 + S&H.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

EGO -- ANOTHER SMALL POSTER

2011-03-22T21:39:00.003-05:00

This morning I talked with artist Bill Hannan about his creations for me in 2000. I mentioned that over the years I had seen literally dozens upon dozens of t-shirts, and 95-98% of them had no graphic taste for design and were often done by those with equipment for making them but no feel for subtlety or a degree of suave. Over and over I saw such t-shirts as "Mate Me" and every variation of that. It was just too obvious. The ones made for commemorating a tournament were some of the worst.

Hannan, the designer of many successful t-shirts was loving this because I mentioned all the swirls, and lines in his artwork and his willingness to avoid using a straight edge to help capture form "au naturel" while still evincing "straight laced" characters as well as "out of control" ones such as in EGO, where the "know it all" is in a rage, and reducing his adversary to a wimpering pup. I have seen players use their rating to "kow" others into believing their malarkey. hence this one was created. I didn't have t-shirts made because those who act like this would never buy them (everyone already knows they are bozos anyway)... and the cowering kid, nobody wanted to be that, but I am sure they could be made into card to send to "former friends."

Check out the purple earring on this guy as well as the foam bubbles emanating from his mouth.

At any rate, this is the EGO dude (or, dood). Tomorrow we face THE STARE... such as Tal, or Karpov, or Kasparov, or Fischer staring at their opponent until someone blinks. What is fun is to outstare another starer! OK, I better behave myself.

You can contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CHESS? -- THE SMALL POSTER

2011-03-21T11:32:00.007-05:00

You who own t-shirts of this image from the 2000 Chess Festival should recognize this image easily. When I wore it outside, and wore it out, I would get smiles, especially from women! The t-shirts are gone, maybe one day a comeback...

I will show a different image for this week of the 4 which were done (The Collector was done for the 2002 Chess Festival and was a monster success in t-shirt sales).

What I just found, while still unpacking stuff from my return from Georgia in 2008 were some posters by the artist, Bill Hannan, of these images. Each are signed and numbered, and affordable and perfect for framing in your office, den, or kitchen (that last one is a joke of course). They aren't numbered to 50,000 like in a Bev Dolittle print (isn't that kind of over the top?), but somewhere from 1 to 50 although I think the lower numbers are already gone.

The size of the actual art is about 13 x 12 (or so) and the CHESS? one is mounted on foam core board (which can be easily removed if you are going to frame it).

One of the reasons I commissioned Bill to do this was because of the plethora of bad chess t-shirt designs. I don't mean a few here and there I mean, serious amateur stuff in huge quantities. When I was a college kid I remember being in Lary Jonson's art shop (lots of really cool stuff) and I recognized some art by some 25 year old named William Hannan. I said to Mr. Jonson (later he became Lary), "I've seen those posters at the college and around town." Lary replied, "People are now collecting Bill's art, already." You could recognize the big eyes, hands, and soulful expressions whether it was Shakespeare or a Martian.

What made Bill so sought after was 2 things:

1. He was fast and competent. Extremely knowledgable about art and visual media;

2. There was no subject you could talk to him about for which he didn't know something. (You might remember a catalog cover I had years ago of the Renaissance Monk and the Philosopher's Stone--which was a big hit!)

His ideas were always a treasure trove. His basement was full of almost forgotten art. He did signs, books, brochures, hand mades and etc., etc. He was in Germany while in the army and learned more. He had been a dismissed student of the famous art teacher and calligrapher Fr. Edward Catich. Catich kicked him out of art school for being a screw off! Bill told me, "That was the best thing that could have happened to me. I got serious after that!" Later Catich complimented him for righting his ship!

There is also a full page of this art in the current issue of Chess EXTRAS #5... and some additional data. (Subscription $65 for 6 issues).

A mounted poster of CHESS? is available for $24.95 + $6.50 for S&H for mailing inside the USA. My supply of other artwork in what follows, in mounted form, is not yet discovered and I suspect that was because I only had a couple made to see how the first one did.

Everything Bill does has a "texture" to it. Lines, thick and thin. And always unusual things IN the art such as on these 3 I asked for ONE extra color to be included as a micro hi-light.

As always, contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Chess EXTRAS OUT TONITE #5

2011-03-17T10:11:00.003-05:00

The right eye surgery went very well and I am back at the keyboard.

Chess EXTRAS #5, which is 40 pages again (although my original promise was 36 pages), should be available this evening for those who have subscribed. Huge variety this time--with the emphasis that this is an art and design issue. More details tomorrow about the contents.

The Chess Reports #124 which is due out tomorrow before noon was emailed in its PDF form last Tuesday in the event I couldn't get everything done at the last minute.

BLACKBURNE update

Turns out the fault is mine, not the printer. When queried as to the whereabouts of Blackburne Black Death in Spades I was told the printer was waiting for approval of the "proof" copy. I don't know why they do this. I said it was not going to go through a formal proofing stage (for example, they send me a copy of the book to be re-examined) but apparently forgot to do this ONLINE (please know that now when printers have a reason for NOT being done on time it can be blamed on online answers).

And since that was almost 3 weeks ago (I submitted it in Feb.) I now have some older bills due which must be paid first, so they will get paid today. Hence I don't expect the copies to be here until late next week. I am sorry. Like I said, ultimately my fault.

Rob and I have already begun work on Alekhine the Executioner. The cover is kind of nifty. Half the contents are finished.

Permission was granted to use the Schiffers article for Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 by Vladimir Linder, so everything is falling into place. Price is $25 + $3.50 for S&H when it becomes available. After April 15th it goes to $34.95 + S&H. It looks like maybe 72-74 pages, the biggest one yet.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

VINDICATIONS -- TIME WASTED, MISSPENT YOUTH

2011-03-15T16:12:00.005-05:00

Two books now out support my feelings, from the past, about chess books and reviewers of same. Yes, I review and comment on chess books, and probably have for a longer period of time than most, but also being a seller as well as a buyer gives me a completely different perspective. I try like heck to review books so that they will SELL, not so people will head for the hills. But every now and then...

In 1999 or so I did a book authored by GM Eduard Gufeld and NM Oleg Stetsko called Richter Veresov, the Chameleon Chess Repertoire. The opening, was made fun of. In one case a reviewer couldn't find ANY lines with an edge for White. Logically, my retort, can you say that about ANY chess opening? Because if you can, everyone would be playing it until it wore itself out. If the Sicilian, for example, is so powerful, why doesn't White just throw up his hands and quit playing or go to 1.d4? Then I heard the stupid remark, with a Knight on c3, "White can't play c4." No kidding Sherlock. Those who play this don't want to play 2.c4. IM Cyrus Lakdawala pretty much supports my attitudes in his new book a ferocious opening repertoire from Everyman Chess. GM Nigel Davies wrote an excellent book on the Veresov, too. I had made a comment one time that if Kasparov played the opening just once, then all the wannabe's would jump on the bandwagon! But if you do research you can find former world champions playing it including Tal and Spassky. Probably others too.

Another reviewer of the book I produced made fun of my marketing attempts by my including a plastic chameleon in the shrink wrapped review copies I sent out. But his website with crystals, pyramids, and stuff like that made sense?? Oh yeah, that's what people with ratings lower than the high and mighty have to endure. It's ALL about ratings. But stupidity knows no barriers. It is known that there are IMs out there whose IQs are below average (100 is average). I don't see any of them raising their hands and saying "Pick me!" The thing about the rating phreaks is that they ARE convinced rating = worth and value just like people who make $250,000 a year feel superior to someone who is a technician. But who do they call when their computer craps out or their expensive home entertainment system fails?

Now to a second book. One reason I gave years ago for not being that interested in brain teasers or puzzles is that IF there is a flaw in them, you can spend a ton of time, wasted time, not solving the problem. In the old days if there was no solution or more than one solution they were called "cooked."

Last week I started reading John Nunn's new book and solving the puzzles in it called 1001 Deadly Checkmates. Nunn is so fussy about particulars that I figured I was safe. I was wrong. At the beginning of section one there are a lot of 1-2 move mates and you are scored accordingly. On #22 I just couldn't find the mate. After several days, off and on, I looked at the answer. It was a mate in 3!! That wasn't funny. But, I decided to limp along and went after the others. I had solved the first 47 (if you count the mate in 3) when #48 stumped me. I hate that. This time I looked at the answer within 10-15 minutes. It was another mate in 3!!

Nunn blew these off with the remark, in effect, in the answer, "Yes, Black can block with such and such, but it is mate the next move." Geez I am sorry John but that's part of the solution and it has always been looked at that way too. It is a mate in 3 and does not belong in that mate in 1 or 2 moves section." So I stopped (for now).

If you think I hate brain teasers because I have never solved any you would be wrong. I am, however, not that great at riddles. My Dad was. I don't know if he once read a book of brain teasers and remembered all the answers, but it seemed like no matter what was brought up, he knew the required answer. I couldn't do that even if I had heard the answer! Yet, he terribly disliked algebra and his son, me, became a mathematician. Maybe my Dad had a higher rating!

It appears that Nunn doesn't give those limitations in later sections of the book. The book should be available in the US pretty soon and I will stock and sell it, but I was still annoyed at this discrepancy. It wouldn't have been so bad if it happened WAY down the line, but among the first 50... inexcusable. I still like what he did with the book, but putting the algebraic notation around the sides of the diagrams is strictly for sissies who have NO memory at all and can't figure out that "a1" is the lower left corner and "h8" is the upper right corner and everything else in between requires little effort. Others have told me that this little nuance is done for "the public," who apparently, if they can't think, wouldn't be buying a book like this at all.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A TIMELY THANKS TO MANY OF YOU

2011-03-14T18:47:00.003-05:00

Going back in Wednesday to get the right eye fixed this time. In all honesty, I had heard the term cataract surgery over the years, but, I didn't know what it meant! That happens sometimes. What the doctor does is take out your "corroded" born-wth lens and replace it with a brand new, clear one in an operation that is truly amazing (I won't go into the details here). It takes 10 minutes or less.

But, they want you to take eye drops from three different bottles at various times of the day, mortgage your house again, and get a lot of sleep. I have Medicare now, thank God for that. But that other 20%--you can't believe the pile ons! $65 for this, $270 for that, and that is for each eye. There is more, but... I need to sell more chess products.

The Latest Issue of The Chess Reports which is due out Friday will most likely go out tomorrow. And, I am going to do the same thing I did last semester for those who want a good sampling of what The Chess Reports is like:

Tell me you want 3 issues, for $15.00 and I will send the PDFs to you. While this is for semester 10, which runs issues 118-27, I have 118-124 virtually ready to send to your email box. So pick the ones you want. PayPal is fine or credit card too (sorry, no American Express). You don't know which ones to pick? I'll send you 118-119-120. A $21 value for $15.00. Lots of reading plus all the features which TCR has: reviews, annotated games, info on events, letters and many articles of commentary concerning chess. Lots of pictures, diagrams, and color.

Or if you are tired of screwing around, send $69.95 for all 10 issues... and end the guessing.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Hey, thanks!

PREDICTION -- "PERFECT" CHESS IS A DRAW

2011-03-11T17:12:00.002-06:00

I thought I would post this before someone else does.

In case you didn't know, it's sister game, "Checkers," was concluded a draw according to Clifford Pickover in his book The Math Book (which my daughter gave me for Christmas!) Jonathan Schaeffer and colleagues came up with a neat method (IN 18 years) of using hundreds of computers to work backward with one set of data and forward with another set until they could "hotwire" (my term) the two together. This happened in 2007.

There are brilliant programmers who have found slick ways of determining very, very large (to our teeny minds) prime numbers. Computer power alone is only helpful, it is the short cuts that do the job.

While my thinking it is so doesn't make it so, it is likely that whatever White (in chess) offers, Black will be able to find a balancing, "no edge" rejoinder. Bear in mind White only has to find ONE line which is a forced win out of a bazillion permutations. It's possible that something like Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem (a logical conundrum) may do the trick. The hard part will be in establishing the "boundary," or, parameter conditions. It may take a century to come up with that, so in the meantime, I can still publish books and articles on chess... and I hope you continue to buy them.

For someone taking notes, I made this prediction on March 11, 2011... and I know it's unlikely anyone will be around to say, "You know Bob, it turns out it's a forced win for...Black!!!"

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

BIG BREAKTHROUGH

2011-03-10T22:23:00.002-06:00

My web guy reports he has solved a big inventory problem in assigning discounts to Gold Card 2011 holders, en masse.

Now... on to other things. Some testing, mailings... etc. and then some of you will get a crack at it.

New books in 7-8 different titles, may get a list out tomorrow.

Looking for my Serial Number to make sure CB 11 is up to snuff, then I can fill you in on some other details (I have an awful lot of stuff around here to keep track of).

Expect Blackburne The Black Death in Spades any day.

I am printing out issues of The Chess Reports to keep my files up to date, make a few corrections. I am close to 2,000 pages. Hope to have an announcement about that soon.

Other things are keeping my desk looking like a mess as I try to get Chess Reports 124 out next week so I can rest after the right eye cataract surgery as it really takes it out of you.

Am sending out an "invited" questionnaire tomorrow about the Chess Soiree.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

TWO THOUGHTS

2011-03-09T14:41:00.002-06:00

I just filled some back orders today. I do that you know, from time to time. I don't carry everything, but if I can get it from a regular distributor, I will. If you are a regular customer then I try even harder. Loyalty, at least with me, does have its rewards.

The other thing is the chess blow out (haha) in late July. I have one committed and several who are more than interested. One school of thought is to HIDE any objections. I don't belong to that one. For example, the price of gas has gone up a pile and yet the fuel facilities are being hammered with overabundance according to today's news. This is typical of weakneed and simple minded investors and speculators who, I would guess, mostly get it wrong. The oracle from Omaha (Warrren Buffett), had his Berkshire Hathaway invest heavily in Conoco I think it was, at the height of the fuel crisis and it bit into his Nebraskan ass BIG TIME. What's different about Buffett is he admitted he screwed the pooch on that one.

So if you are thinking of driving or flying and it might cost you an extra $30-60 to come, then you really weren't interested in the first place. I hope to be calling some lodges tomorrow. Problem is, usually when I do this the first place I contact always sounds so good I don't spend a whole lotta time on the phone. Then to get someone interesting to spend time with--as well as myself I hope. As one friend told me not too long ago, "Bob, you sure have a lot of interesting stories and experiences." I used to be able to say all kinds of neat things without fear of being recorded, but that is getting harder and harder (ask those nitwits who used to work for NPR--and I mostly love NPR). Bring recorders if you want as long as I have the right to get transcripts for something in the future (hey, ya never know). But since I have no political ambitions, I'm not too concerned with covering my behind.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

JUST CHECKING IN SO YOU KNOW I AM STILL HERE

2011-03-08T13:55:00.002-06:00

Catalog went out last night with at least ONE typo in it. Prices on the Pal Benko book were almost half of what they should have been as I did a "cut and paste" price and forgot to go back and adjust. At least one fellow admitted the old "If it seems too good to be true..." phrase. But no one asked if maybe I made a mistake! That surprised me! I said 10 years ago "In the end, it's always about price, with no regard to consequences." I was told I was nuts.

I spent an hour reading more data on the controversy about Batsford and their changes to Fischer's My 60 Memorable Games which, according to historian Edward Winter, no one came clean on. Ooooh--bad for posterity. Winter found 570 substantiated changes including Ol instead of Olympiad. Fischer said there were thousands upon thousands but he was out to lunch unless he was counting EVERY instance of a change like "Ol" and even then he probably couldn't get thousands upon thousands. What led me to that article I was researching for something else.

Got cover elements today for Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 and will be working on those today also. Friend Andy Ansel gave me Isaac Linder's email address for some permissions I wanted to ask of him on an Emmanuel Schiffers article--so until I get that permission, I will have to pull that article and save it perhaps for the following issue if I should have it by then.

GM Alex Yermolinsky has written an amazing review, with even more details, of my recent work, The Critical Secret for Success at Chess and Anything Else, but he is unwilling to post it on Amazon.com because you have to register, and all that nonsense, and then be willing to be subject to emails from Amazon and "partners," which if you are a buyer, can be exasperating. It occurred to me that since I am already registered with Amazon I could post it for him but then it would look like it came from me, which it did only in terms of I got the manuscript from Alex. But I've been thinking--can I put a comment on the review pages about where they can get a COPY of this SEVEN page review? Anyone out there KNOW for sure (please, no guesses, I can do that).

The WHOLE review will be published in a newsletter for those who bought the book when I get the Newsletter ready. I have to leave out a couple parts OF the GM's review (for retrieval through the Amazon reference of where to get it) where he lets the cat out of the bag, as that is ONLY for those who bought the book, so that should be my only edit.

I probably won't be on here tomorrow as I am working like a hurricane to get some things caught up.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

FISCHER'S REAL WIFE AND HEIR

2011-03-04T08:56:00.003-06:00

Miyoko Watei finally wins in the estate dispute as the Icelandic courts saw documents proving Fischer really did marry her.

But that is not MY news today. Now that it appears over I can reveal that Mrs. Fischer, as Watei, was a customer of ours (Chessco) for many years. She was the head of the Japanese Chess Association. She paid her bills in advance, and she ordered hundreds of dollars worth of books, sometimes much more in her orders to us. At the time I had no way of knowing she had any connection with Fischer, but I wonder if some of the books she did order found a way to get into his hands to read! Only she knows.

I was rummaging through "Gold in Them Thar Hills" boxes the other day looking for something and I came across one of our invoices to her! Why would I have saved that since I had thrown so many out? Don't know. I know Rita also sold our goods to TV stars during those times. I have sold to rich collectors too before some of them became snobs (not to me, but to others). I've sold stuff, and lots of it, to those preparing for a world championship match.

Now, at the "point" of starting anew, I will have to refresh my company and set the chess world on fire in other ways.

T-SHIRTS

Over the years I have seen almost every kind of chess t-shirt there has been from those who specialized in them to commemorative chess events.

Chessco was fairly successful at this, especially with the "Collector" in 2002 at the Chess Festival. A nice piece of work by Bill Hannan. At the recent Last Chess Clinic, the t-shirt with the X-ray of the King caught in the rib cage sold out and I didn't get one for myself. They have always been great pieces of advertising. I've had attractive women see them and offer a big friendly smile. Well... you might've guessed it, I have another idea for t-shirts, one which I have never seen before (thank God). It will be made, should I do it, in the most popular sizes, L, XL, and XXL or maybe just the first two. But I can't reveal it yet. If I hear from enough size M, I could consider that.

Funny thing, as I said, I've seen LOTS of chess t-shirts and most of them were pretty bad; designed by a blind monk with no imagination. What was worse were the words often inscribed on them. About 20% of them tried to put the word "mate" in there somewhere so as to "look" cool in our "anything goes" on a t-shirt culture.

But nope, these will have class. Tell ya more later.

In the meantime, contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LEFT EYE IS OKAY... NEXT

2011-03-03T15:58:00.004-06:00

In a couple weeks the right eye will be worked on. All went well but it almost made me stir-crazy behaving myself yesterday.

Tonight, I will be working on a catalog of "small press" outfits that do chess books. Every now and then something good arises and you'll be shown what's there and for you to decide. The price discounts will be generous until items are gone.

In the meantime there will be a strong emphasis on new products and reprints from Thinkers' Press, inc. including reprints and the web site. I am at a point on the web site where I have to do a lot of work "adding" in things because "most importing" schemes can only go so far. In years past the web site did bring me new customers. Now I rely on email and it seems that some people are so distrustful of email that they won't do it, yet my companies have never had a problem. In many ways, email service has been more personal and faster as I have two machines open at the same time with a separate "eye" on each one!

In the meantime there will also be work done on George Gossip's Modern Chess Brilliancies, with the co-author Mr. X. No matter what you have read before, you won't be prepared for this. A title such as MCB also points out the flaw of using the word "modern," even as happened with Larry Evans' Modern Chess Brilliancies. On the other hand, if you put beneath it, "as of 2011," you will kill sales when you are a few years along. I know, it's insane as a Brilliancy IS a brilliancy, but when things are time date stamped, you lose with the buying public. I may change the title however of Gossip's book to be something MORE commercial, and perhaps, enchanting. Maybe "Half-Baked Chess, A Grandmaster Comments." I like puns and those who know how to "reach" would get it. Does that get me into trouble? Hmmm... Don't know. In chess there is no shortage of people who have a limited sense of humor. For a study on "sense of humor," watch Steve martin's movie, My Blue Heaven.

In the meantime, contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: Oh yeah, lots of reviews coming up as well as Chess EXTRAS #5--a very colorful issue.

THE WEDNESDAY BLOG -- MR. X

2011-03-02T08:00:00.001-06:00

These days it seems like there are Mr. X's on Blogs and Information Marketing Sites everywhere. Well, the Mr. X I am going to mention was in the 1890s and Thinkers' Press, inc. is doing a book on his personal, pencilled in written notes, to George Gossip's Modern Chess Brilliancies.

Yes, there are brilliant games in the book but Mr. X didn't think all of them were good choices. He was particularly unhappy about Gossip including some of his own!

My good friend, the late Ken Whyld, was on the verge of giving Gossip a break, if only a little one. George was what the Brits would call a "wanker." Americans might use the words, "overpuffed dipshit." No matter the crowd, George was like the guy in the middle, standing on a step-ladder saying, in effect, "Look at me." While various rating systems would have him ranked 60 or some other number today, in the world, one could argue, hysterically at any rate, that perhaps there were only 60 players in the world at that time.

Some people love old "Let George do it George" but if you look at his track record, the guy had a habit of finishing in last place and bitching and moaning about everyone else. He kept moving around to places like Australia, America, and Canada from his original England. He seemed universally disliked wherever he went. This takes some doing!

Our Mr. X, whose name will be revealed in the latest issue of Lasker & His Contemporaries #6, had no truck with this guy and his pencilled notes are all over this book. He put his name IN the book but my buyer wanted PROOF it was him. I explained the "secrets" in the notes and he too became convinced that the owner, with signature, WAS the owner and paid handsomely for it!

This book will be issued this fall in an algebraic notation, and possibly in hardcover. It won't be cheap trash or a toilet paper type book like so many from various reprint houses, it will have suggestions, complaints, and inside information as only Mr. X could provide. It will probably be less than 150 pages and run about $45. It will be part of my Thinkers' Press Historical Chess Series.

The entertainment value here at TPi keeps getting ratcheted up. I don't see the point of advertising it on Amazon.com, they've done nothing for me except discount my stuff (except with my new book, The Critical Secret for Success at Chess and anything else, which is listed at $99 and NO discount!) Since YOU are reading this here, right now, you needn't be worried, you know where you can get it. I believe scarcity IS a form of marketing. Whenever some chess marketer says in effect, "We have every book in print," that would be, "No, I'm sorry, you don't."

Lastly, I have in front of me a review of my above mentioned book and the review is quite favorable. And the review AND tips run 7 pages! It will be part of my FIRST newsletter for Critical Secret which goes ONLY to those who own the book, in effect stating, the book was definitely worth what they paid for it. Who is the Reviewer? None other than GM and former two-time US Champion Alex Yermolinsky!!

I have a special 2011 ONE-TIME offer for Critical, at $79.95 to be withdrawn at any time (and most of you know I mean this when I say it). I will include the shipping too to any country the US Postal System ships to. You will get the book and Newsletter #1 with Yermos fantastic notes.

As per usual, contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WEDNESDAY

2011-03-02T07:10:00.002-06:00

I have a great Mr. X story for you about something which is going to appear this fall or sooner About an older Super Master who couldn't stand the annotations of George Gossip. I had it written up last night but editing it this morning... whoosh... it disappeared.

See ya tomorrow.

Bob

LASKER AND CHESS EXTRAS FINISHED

2011-03-01T11:39:00.002-06:00

Most likely by tonight or this evening. However, not totally finished. Clean up, proofing, art touches, and waiting for a cover for Lasker will take about until the end of the week. The EXTRAS will go out via PDF but Lasker #6 will be printed, so that will take a little longer. Then it will be time to start gearing up for The Chess Reports.

Those are all major publications for me. Someone recently suggested that I put together some sort of comprehensive catalog to explain what they all mean. I could, and eventually I might, but the point is, take a CHANCE. I do, and so do others. Often, when customers do take a chance they are pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure why. It's always been the goal of Thinkers' Press to give people more than they bargained for. But, I have discovered, in the past, there are those who eagerly look forward to a screwup at this end. Get a life guys.

These journals are not like the routine chess stuff that gets cranked out everywhere else and is forgotten 10 minutes later. For years I subscribed to everything, so I am not making this up. As one woman told me, "Don't compare me to them." Unfortunately, it is inevitable.

Occasionally I release samples or FREE copies and I have people who order those over and over, but who won't buy anything. The only way to get them to buy is to "guess" what their favorite subject might be and ship them that issue with the fond "hope" they will think EVERY issue is for them and contains that kind of stuff. To quote anyone, "Yeah, right."

A couple weeks ago I got a phone call from a fellow in Minneosta who works for another government. He LOVES the stuff TPi puts out but he won't give me permission to use his name because his superiors would go "ape" if they saw it, because it connotes all kinds of scary and secretive innuendo. But he can't wait for the next installment of whatever! Isn't that great? And, on top of all that, he's a great guy!

Here's the prices for those who can take the plunge and not sit on the can for week's at a time trying, with every grunt, to make a decision:

The Chess Reports, Semester 10. $69.95. You will also get a CD or DVD during this semester.

Lasker & His Contemporaries #6. $25.00 plus $3.50 for S&H. Will soon go to $34.95 + S&H.

Chess EXTRAS #5, part of a subscription series of 6, $65.00. $50 if you have a Gold Card 2011.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PS: All the time I get requests for a FREE catalog. At the moment I have nothing totally current. Very few people who get these catalogs ever buy anything. I don't know what they are looking for; usually they don't say. I am thinking of ordering a Mind Reading Kit from Amazon.com. Let's see if that improves my chances of guessing. When I would PRINT catalogs, back in the day, the printing and shipping would run around $10,000 and 75% of those who got them never said a thing or made ANY purchase; but they still ASK for the printed catalog! The email versions go to my tried and true, thank you men.

PSS: Tomorrow I go in for cataract surgery for the left eye *first." Unfortunately, that will take me out of action for a day or two. So I doubt if I will post any Blog tomorrow. In the meantime, keep those cards, letters, and emails coming in (not about my cataract surgery, though that is OK), but about what you need to enjoy chess more. That is what I do, and, I make no apologies for it.

LAST DAY FOR FREE BLACKBURNE BOOK

2011-02-28T16:21:00.002-06:00

People who know me know I am big on personal responsibility but in business sometimes it is necessary to remind clients because as I have found out myself, it is too easy to forget. Age either brings humility or arrogance, but not much in between.

So this is a reminder that if you have been after the really cool booklet I've put out on Blackurne, 41 pages of him titled Blackburne The Black Death in Spades, then today is your last day to get a FREE copy. To get that FREE copy you had to have spent at least $100 in the months of January and February with me. You do that and you get this $12.95 book free and free shipping of it.

As I write I just got confirmation that the books were released from the printer. It should be shipped by about the end of this week. I have already begun work on the next one, for the month's of March and April and you won't want to miss: Alekhine The Executioner. This book will be third in the series and this guy was a real sandblaster. It will mostly be games you DO NOT know. Where do I find them? My secret, but I have a lot of archives at my office. I still have to input them and I still have to put notes to them and clean it up, so it's not like I do nothing. The artwork is already being worked on too.

On top of that, I am close to finishing up two more projects:

a) Chess EXTRAS #5 which has some really neat stuff in it (40 letter sized pages); and

b) Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 which has a big section on that Massachusetts' genius, Harry Nelson Pillsbury! $25 + $3.50 for mailing (in the USA) if you act now. Otherwise it goes to $34.95 plus mailing charges. At least 64 pages, letter sized.

If you don't subscribe to Chess EXTRAS you should consider it. $65 for 240 letter-size pages of chess' pot-pourri stuff, collected by me now and from the past, most of which has not been in print before. Information will be forthcoming soon. If you have a GOLD CARD 2011 you can get one for $50 if you order by March 31. One issue to go and I find another box the other night full of goodies to be published.

NOTE: Buying Lasker or Chess Extras also counts toward your $100 or more total in the month you bought it in.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CAN BOOKS ACTUALLY HELP ONE WIN GAMES?

2011-02-26T14:57:00.002-06:00

Ed Reedy claims my book Lasker The Ultimate Streetfighter did just that, and recently. He scored 4-1 in a reserve event for chess newcomers.

Ed, an expert in martial arts, was at my Last Chess Clinic in October. As is common in my events there was a gift bag and one of the included items was that book, which had JUST come from the printer the week before.

Ed said he read it, cover to cover, maybe twice. He is my first feedback on this book.

What is contained were brawls. In most of the games Lasker was new to the NY crowd, and others. He waded into complications, strenuous endgames, and his mastery was unparalleled. On A.J. Goldsby's web site (AJ is a master) he claims that Jeff Sonas, a rating statistician, evaluated Lasker's TACTICAL play at OVER the 3000 Elo level! This modest 50 page pamphlet proves it!

I've sold out of two printings so far, but some more are coming. It's a whopping $12.95, replete with notes and diagrams, 40+ games, all wins, from either side of the board. Add $3.00 for shipping and handling in the USA. One of chess' bargains!

It's part of my series, The Chess Gangs of New York and London. Book #2, on Blackburne, is at the printer's now. I should have it in 10 days or so. Ask how you can get FREE copies of these books.

Contact: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

ART AND DESIGN CHESS ISSUE

2011-02-25T07:39:00.005-06:00

Where do artists and designers get their ideas and inspirations? Often, from each other.

How do they do when it comes to chess. Often, not too well.

There's a chasm between being able to design and knowing something about chess and being able to design and not knowing anything (or hardly anything) about chess. But the "rules" are not fast nor do they always make sense. I have no problem with that. The older I get the more I find rules to be disruptive rather than helpful, and often they are "created" by those who don't know enough to know how to apply them. But, maybe we should at least have a "starting point."

In the upcoming issue of Chess EXTRAS, No. 5, I explore some of this, visually from "Deception in Art" on the cover, to Magritte, to kid's and beginner's books, and in the wide world of chess goofiness.

So, to answer some questions, "Yes, it is coming, but probably won't arrive until March." There is no dearth of material, I have lots of it... just the dearth of time. It took a while for sales to climb in the 1990s before I could hire extra people to do the things I now do solo. Phone answering, order taking and shipping, graphics, books and catalog elements for future mailings, watching the DVDs to be reviewed, and of course, the most time consuming and non-money making aspect of all, bookkeeping.

So hang on to your bowler, Chess EXTRAS will be here soon. (Lots of bowlers in the Magritte arena.)

An Explanation of what Chess EXTRAS is: Size wise it is 36-40 pages, but I think all 4 issues so far have been 40 pages each. A little editorial content, but it is whatever strikes my fancy about chess. In the first two issues of CE I spent some space writing about my 1971 trip to Denver to see the Fischer-Larsen match using notes I made during that adventure. I even wrote about some time spent with Bobby Fischer while he asked me questions about my "chess on stamps" business! Frank Brady didn't cover everything! This leads me to believe his book, ENDGAME, isn't the last book on Fischer. There will always be new discoveries, but I don't intend to write one. I put my efforts with Gufeld in that direction many years ago in another TPi book which is out of print.

Chess EXTRAS is letter size in scope, in color, often with many pictures, and depicts unusual stuff about our game--even some positions sent to me from GM Karsten Müller which show problems for chess computers to analyze and their inability for the software to do a good job of determining, win, draw, or loss. There was an article also, which I found to be most important about chess openings, in which big computer systems have already determined the FATE of many chess openings, through repeated trial runs (called replications)—and the results are a little surprising.

In the current issue we have some pictures from Bob Woodworth of GM Patrick Wolff playing at a Warren Buffett gig in Omaha for the shareholders. Not great pictures mind you, but "evidence" chess is still alive and useful even in business settings. Chess EXTRAS, in some ways, is a hodge podge, a pot pourri about something other than the analytical side, though I also published that in a game between Lasker and Pillsbury from the British Chess Magazine many moons ago where I concluded that the annotator, Mr. Mason, must have been in the bag as he got near the end of his musings!

I can send you a small sampler I created, for FREE, if you ask. For those who want to subscribe, it's $65 for all six issues. If you own a 2011 Gold Card it is $50. It will be downloaded via PDF to you for you to print out and read.

Oh yes, Readers can send things in of interest. And now and again I publish almost forgotten photos of something I was involved in, many years ago, chesswise (usually). I'm amazed that some of these show up, but I have boxes of photos.

Contact me: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Even if you got snow this weekend, like I did, have a great weekend. Stay inside, go through my catalogs (or blogs), and send an order via email. Keep the Post Office guys busy. I don't need to be kept busy any more than I am, but it's nice to pay the never ending supply of bills.

AS DR. PHIL MIGHT ASK...

2011-02-24T09:42:00.003-06:00

"How's this Blog working for you?"

Glad you asked Phil. It's doing fine.

Yesterday a new client contacted me and in his email he asked a few questions. In the course of such he told me a little about himself and that he was switching "allegiance" from another chess vendor to me. "Allegiance" is my word, but it means the same thing he wrote. He liked the way I write and what I write about. I can't take credit for that, I give that to God.

Loyalty of any kind has become a scarce "commodity." There is still "branding" out there (look at Apple, or Best Buy, Facebook, Borders, and such), but nowadays people also think Amazon, Wal-Mart when it comes to watching their wallet or purse. But as I've explained before, Amazon doesn't CARE about YOU, no matter how much or how often you spend with them. They don't cook up "events," they don't "know" you, and whether or not you are a chess master or an average player means ZIP to them. That's the SCALE of their business (to read more on SCALE and Business levels, go today to: sethgodin.typepad.com). But they STILL don't care.

As you have noticed while reading the past week, I am looking at a trip to Minnesota for a couple days, probably July, to be with people I know and want to know better; read my posts for the past week. My new client is interested too! Does that mean he will come? Maybe. But he's interested... that makes THREE of you already, up from none last week!

This is HOW I get things started. Then, I go into action. It juices my brain. Interaction also fuels more ideas and finally, there is some kind of a program... but the main emphasis always IS: that you have a good time because THEN I have a good time! I have to provide BENEFITS for you, first.

THINK ABOUT THIS: Older folks KNOW where it's at! (You can quote me on this.) I know this is true because EVERY time, locally, a new joint was opened which catered to the 50+ crowd, it was eventually RUINED by also attracting the YOUNGER crowds. They "liked" what we were doing, the music, the atmosphere. But the original crowd didn't like their barging in and ultimately it would change everything. The older folks left (the ones with the $$$) and eventually the place would go belly up and everyone would wonder, "Wot happened?" I said "locally" but it happens nationally too. I can remember my sister-in-law. She and her husband retired and moved from MASS to NC, where the "people were such hicks," in so many words. The pace of work was slower, etc. They said "people down here don't like people coming down from the North to retire because they try to tell the North Carolinians how to live." Guess who was there first?

So I welcome my new friend, but I won't mention his name since that might make his previous vendor sad, upset, or pissed off... and that's just not necessary.

Now I need to make a couple phone calls and get more information about who and when and where. Thanks for reading... feel free to offer suggestions. Years ago, for Chess Festival III, Allan Savage suggested I have the new and young Scottish GM Jonathan Rowson as a guest. A very fine idea as he had just written a terrific chess book. I had him come and he wowed the crowds (about 54 paids + others). That's how it sometimes gets started.

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

UPDATES AT THINKERS' PRESS INC

2011-02-23T15:35:00.003-06:00

Too many things going on to stick to one topic today:

1) Have received the OK from Dr. Nathan Divinsky to use several of his great articles which were held over from Lasker & His Contemporaries #5. They will appear in issues #6 and #7.

2) Chess historian and all around nice guy and writer for McFarland, John S. Hilbert, has agreed to using his Part II material from Lasker #5 IN Lasker #7. See, Lasker #6 is already pretty full and Hilbert's article on Lasker coming to New York in 1892 is quite lengthy.

I am beating myself up to get Blackburne The Black Death in Spades off to the printer, tonight or tomorrow. Also will be included a nice little caricature of Blackburne by J. Hesse asking for "whiskey and lime" (from about 1905!)

Spending some more time with web guy tonight. When evening rolls around it's hard to estimate how tiring all of this is after a busy day of handling unbelievable amounts of paper work (still trying to get caught up from when I was in Georgia).

So... I better get back to it... and by the way, I am also working on a BIG SALES catalog for Small Presses so I can clear out much of that inventory. My goal is to beat all Amazon prices but, I may not!! Reason: There are 650 other people that I email to who never respond. I suspect I could meet each one personally, offer them a free chess book, surrogate substitute for their play at the local club, and it wouldn't phase them! Not at all. They may be zombies. I've asked them if they want to have their name deleted from my lists and even that is too much work! Of course you heard about the guy who was elected to the Procrastinators Club of America. He never got around to voting himself in or out, and the members who did vote were apparently not procrastinators, and so felt guilty about voting for themselves. That's politics folks!

Contact me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com

HAVE ALREADY HEARD FROM ONE ON THE SOIREE!

2011-02-22T22:14:00.003-06:00

People I've known over the years cover just about ever strata of life. One thing most of them have in common is stress on the job. You may not think so, but as you get older you find out it WAS true! I know I did. I never really thought I was under "stress" even though I had lots of responsibilities that I could and did handle. Now when I look back I see how "useless" many of them were--should have been lower on my "priorities list."

So the chess soiree I have been talking about recently offers you a chance to get away from your current grind whether you are retired (even that can be a grind due to its very "unstructured nature" one person (actually two) told me).

Minnesota is beautiful and if I can get 10-20 people to come it will be another great event. Look at the Chess Festivals... they kept growing, so did the Chess Clinics... but each time I feel I have to start completely over again because, I get the thought which I think occurs to some, "How can it be better than what I've already had?" That's nothing more than the fear of "lack of imagination."

You don't even have to make a commitment at this moment, just tell me you are interested and I will keep you up to date! It looks like:

1) a wooded area, log cabins and main area, but a lake in Minnesota.

2) meeting old and new friends (always some new people),

3) chess is the main topic on the menu but there could be other things too,

4) you don't have to be a genius (most people aren't anyway),

5) we will have a "great fireside" get together,

6) tell us what is on YOUR mind and we will tell you what is on ours... and

7) I will have a very special guest or there will be no event.

Probably be two nights where you can get away from depressing news, and all the b.s. that goes on in the lives of each of us.

Great food. Great friendships. Great times. Sometimes between June and August it looks like.

We won't allow you to HUG any bears!

Contact me at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CHESS IN MINNESOTA JUNE-AUGUST

2011-02-21T19:35:00.002-06:00

My very good friend Dale Suilmann knows what I am up to--he lives in Elk River, MN.

I want to plan a chess event (soiree) between June and August up north. Reasonably close to an airport, a lodge, where we can rest and relax in comfort. Dink around with some chess but in the main be there for a good time, log cabins, dining rooms, etc. No damn TV. Throw your cells in one of the 10,000 lakes they have there.

I will bring a Special guest, we would have some special topics, and probably a sales table as well as some special artifacts for the occasion.

Dale has kindly sent me info on at least 4 separate places--they all have a certain novelty in them, especially winter time!! Yikes, none of us want that after this winter (I am presuming.) But if any Blog readers have any favorite spots in MN or know of some, send that info along would you?

And if you are interested in coming for a couple days, please drop me a line right away, okay? (again). As I've said before, this is not about the National Open, the World Open, or the US Open... they are doing their own thing--so if you are going to those, I suspect I won't hear from you unless you know a great place in MN to have a great chess time. I might even consider hiring a special photographer for this too. A place for spouses to come, buddies, new friends.

At any rate, if you have thoughts and druthers, drop me a line at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

It will probably be an intimate setting for 10-20 people. There is a fee + the cost of the lodge setting where you would be staying. This all sounds like common sense, but, I am taking NO chances.

TAKE TIME OUT TO DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE

2011-02-19T16:04:00.002-06:00

i took my 6 year old grandson to one of the local public libraries.

I always learn a couple things:

a) How smart he really is and what a terrific memory (if only I had that!);

and

b) He still finds me useful to have around.

We spent 5 minutes looking at kids books but he kept bugging me to use the computer.

What a riot.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LASKER 6 UPDATE

2011-02-18T18:02:00.003-06:00

It's going well. 32 pages of a planned minimum of 64 (letter size) are already in the chess cauldron. I have no shortage of good material, just a shortage of time and fast moving fingers. I have been finding piles of files I had saved for many years--am glad I kept them.

Artwork will be included. Any cover art you see will most likely not be the final word.

Lasker & His Contemporaries #6 will be out in 1-2 months (maybe sooner). Taking advance subscriptions at $25.00 + whatever I said for shipping yesterday (USA). Goes to $34.95 when deadline is up (see yesterday's post).

Some are also buying the COMBO package of issue #2 and the new issue #6 for $39.95 + shipping. The price will go back to normal when the deadline has passed of $54.95 for some of the best in chess history about Lasker and those who surrounded his era.

Singlehandedly, this may help Thinkers' Press the most as many remember this early publication and became regular customers.

Do I have enough for Issues #7 and #8? Yep, just a question of time. The above extraordinary artwork was completed years ago for me by Paul Herrera, who did other pieces for me in L&HC. It is of the Russian chess whiz, Emmanuel Schiffers, who will be featured in this issue. He taught Chigorin, and then, Chigorin taught him!

The subscriptions for #6, received so far, have been quite gratifying. Many from those who do not count themselves as "followers" in this Blog, which number a mere 52.

Contact me at:

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Thank you.

LASKER & HIS CONTEMPORARIES #6 COMING SOON

2011-02-17T11:36:00.003-06:00

I announced this first to chess resellers, none of whom took notice. So many of these people are so "busy" and so clueless, and new, they wouldn't know what to do if I visited them personally. I sometim s wonder if some of these folks have any idea who Lasker was.

Something happened yesterday which propelled me into action.

The oddity is that 2 weeks ago I ran across the material which I had typeset in the late 80s for L&HC #6. I have been putting this off for years. I had much of the material but no time to put it together or proofread it. Last night, I made the time, and this morning, and this afternoon, and tomorrow, etc.

To begin there are three major articles, a long one on Schiffers, the #2 chess player in Russia when Chigorin was around, Lasker on Combinations, and information in detail about his PhD in mathematics.

Then there are vignettes such as a position at the 1914 St Petersburg tournament where Tarrasch said Capablanca had a win over Lasker in their drawn game. Lots of bits like this. The magazine will be somewhat in the style of issue #1 of Purdy's Chess Chronicles.

At the moment I am also looking for the artwork for this issue which I expect to show up within the week (you have NO idea how much chess material I have, even organized!)

The last magazine (#5) was $20 and ran 64 pages and that was a LONG time ago, 1997 I think, which I co-edited with John Hilbert. We even won the Fred Cramer Award for the best new chess magazine (I have no idea how many submissions there were for that category). This one is an issue I planned a long time ago. There were even some article which others wanted published but I couldn't promise them anything. I think one was since published somewhere else. My tough luck.

So now it is coming out, probably in April 2011. I am making a PRE-publication offer which goes like this:

$25.00 + $3 for shipping (in the US) if you act before March 15th. If you get it later, it will be $34.95. That's a $10 savings, worth going to the trouble.

If you buy multiple copies, the minimum is 5, and there is a 20% discount. If you want 10 or more, you get a 30% discount. Checks and Paypal are OK too as well as credit cards.

In earlier issues, such as 1-4, I sold between 500-1000 copies of each issue to collectors, dealers, and people just like you. The magazine was the same size as #5, but fewer pages. This one will have at least 64, and also be printed.

I've got to get back to work on this as the typing part is what is slowing me down as I am not a touch typist, per se.

Email announcements will be sent out within the week too.

I expect a rush on this and those who contact me right away with payment or authorization on their credit card is on file--will be handled first. Please, no questions (they are nothing but a stall). More information will be put on the Blog and provided in emails I send out as well as enclosed in packages I mail.

I also have a few issues of Lasker #2 available at $20 (mint condition, just found them). If you order Lasker #6 in advance WITH #2, the special price is $40 + $4.00 for shipping.

Thanks... Here comes Lasker and His Friends, #6.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

ENDGAME --Commentary

2011-02-16T09:35:00.004-06:00

This book is 400 pages. Written by Frank Brady it covers chess legend Bobby Fischer. It's cheap. Hardbound for $25.99. I have a few in stock.

It's not easy to review here because there are so many interesting points in it that to reveal one and not others makes it a personal selection rather than an important review. It's well written, making comparisons with others, literature, and such, but it left me "wanting" when I was done. Gangly kid who had the best opportunities for a fantastic life, but he couldn't let go of his prejudices, not even one of them. Did those prejudices drive him? help him? Not the ones in the end.

Fischer, basically, was a loner. Insecure, feverishly interested in chess growing up, and he wanted a woman in his life to carry on his genes of greatness. He slept late, and disdained people who had befriended him for years including Jack Collins and many others--wrote them off with no regrets. Seldom did he accede, he was a full blown narcissist. And he hated losing--not that any of us like to lose, but with BF it scared him (most of the time).

Some of these things you might already know, but most do not know WHY he did these things. Most will not know that at his first tournament outside of the Manhattan Chess Club he didn't want to play for fear of being crushed. And, he didn't do that well when he finally changed his mind.

Several things are woven throughout this book, one of them was his attack on "Jews." The reason I quote this is because eventually it was figured out that if Fischer didn't like you, you were a Jew! The other is his independence and dependence on his Mother. She took care of him, feeding him lest he forget to eat (and his appetite as he grew up was astonishingly huge), saved money for him, put him on buses and trains. She visited him in Reykjavik wearing a blonde wig. When he was so down and out he couldn't rub two pennies together his Mom would pay for expenses from her Social Security check. She was a saver and extremely interested in his welfare. Fischer seldom thought ahead about much. Ate out every day, never fixing anything to eat for himself.

He made strange allies and seldom did they last long. He was infuriated with a movie documentary using Saemi Palsson, his Icelandic bodyguard, because the emphasis should have been on him, Bobby Fischer. He was intemperate with the cops and resisted arrest in Japan like a wildman. Several psychologists have not judged him to be psychotic but his emotionalism, treatment of others, and disdain for anyone who dared cross him were not infrequent. He spat on the US government (who gave him ample warnings) and then feared U.S. retribution.

He did NOT have filings removed from his teeth for the placement of a miniature radio for signals to Russian assassins or to be used as an antenna for the transmission of information. He laughed about that.

When he became great friends in Hungary with Andor Lilienthal it looked like Fischer might settle down. But when Lilienthal made some moves to help Fischer (financially and otherwise) by signing Bobby's name to a document, Fischer went nuts, and Lilienthal, though Jewish already, was forever banned as a "Jew" by Fischer no matter how much hospitality he had been shown.

Of course there are hundreds of incidents and personalities throughout such as the Polgars, Boris Spassky, Bill Lombardy (who was treated horribly when I saw him in Reykjavik), and others. One person Fischer did not cow was Fidel Castro... the telegrams are included. Fischer's demands were tinged with "common sense" but always always intractable in the end. His unwillingness to compromise pleased his most ardent fans but also alienated others who would like to have seen him go farther. The problem Fischer's fans had, as I see it, was that he didn't want any fans even though he would proclaim, "I am Bobby Fischer." Boris Spassky wanted Fischer to win for the good of chess and so he wouldn't quit, so it's hard to say how strong Fischer was in his 1992 match. There was even a short term talk about Spassky being in a third match with Fischer.

The book is full of goons, glory, bodyguards, trips to the library, sneaky larking lot photography, etc. You can dip in anywhere and find something interesting to read. I'd call it a 2 a.m. book--you know you are supposed to go to sleep but you have to read one more page.

In the end, Fischer went quickly, leaving no will, and not even happy with the atmosphere of Iceland where the RJF committee jumped through hundreds of hoops to help Fischer get on with his life after being stranded in Japan.

He loved to walk (I had seen him do this when I was in Denver in 1971). Contrary to "popular" opinion, Fischer did keep a chess set around and he still analyzed the "old chess." His guidance system was himself, and that was not a very good system. He read voraciously and picked out things which his memory could spew out, both good and bad.

Lots of bibliography, lots of stories you never heard or read before. But when I was done with my reading, I was kind of depressed.

Sure, only God can judge his actions because only he knows everything about the Man and the Whys, but he would have made, for most of us, the worst kind of friend. Taking, taking, and taking. His acts of kindness that we hear about? There didn't seem to be that many... but hey, maybe we only need one to save our soul, if it is genuine.

A slightly fuller and better edited review occurs in issue #123 of The Chess Reports, the magazine for anyone interested in chess, books, and DVDs. Send for a FREE sample copy. Need your full name and email address.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PURDY'S CHESS CHRONICLES

2011-02-14T11:28:00.002-06:00

In January I had 2 subscriptions to Purdy's Chess Chronicles.

I'm almost half way through February and I am closing in on two dozen.

I sold thousands of those books we published on Purdy so I am hoping for at least 100 subscriptions (I hope BIG). I've written to people in Australia and New Zealand gotten one subscriber (New Zealand).

One guy wrote and told me he had the Search for Perfection book in Descriptive Notation! Who cares, I am selling the Chronicles. I asked him to subscribe, so far, no answer. Read on...

I've tried to make it clear that the Purdy Chess Chronicles will be full of bits of business, stories, games, and photos that are NOT in My Search for Chess Perfection. Now I will tell you a story. Maybe some will think it is braggin' (probably because they have nothing to brag about) but it makes a point, which is a lot easier to do when it is personal.

What happened launched my career as a mathematician!

In grades 9-11 I was a disaster in mathematics, a C student. The Poster Child for "He doesn't get it." Late in my Junior Year the whole school (High School) was required to take the State's H.S. mathematics test. I got the highest score in my school! HOW ON EARTH did that happen? I read the darn instructions! It said, plainly, and clearly, "If you don't know the answer or how to work the problem, and your answer ("guess") is wrong you will lose points on your total score." So I did only the ones I knew how to do and left the others alone. The school's top genius in math (a good friend of mine) did ALL the problems and obviously got a lot of them wrong. I was stunned. No kidding. The high school math teacher I had for 3 years said, "Long, I knew you could do it!" (I thought to myself, "you are the only one.") So he talked me into taking the Advanced Course in Math the next year. For the first time ever I ended up on the Honor Roll.

Trying to decide between mathematics and accounting, I chose mathematics and though it was hard, I loved it. And in 1967 I was awarded the college's first Mathematics Excellence award. Only one was given out. HOW DID this happen? I READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!! Amazing.

Now that I am older, though not senile, I occasionally miss something. Not too often, but...

This week will be the beginning of a series on the SLAV for the Chess Reports (#123). Probably run several issues. You can still subscribe for $69.95 for 10 issues which is full of all kinds of good stuff, including every other time, an article by IM Andrew Martin, original stuff for you!

See ya soon. Read the Instructions.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

NEW CATALOG SUPPLEMENT TO BE RELEASED TONITE

2011-02-12T20:31:00.002-06:00

This one is for "New in Chess" books and my prices beat ALL of Amazon's sale prices and many of the prices being sold from others (who of course add on postage).

I am doing this to clear a lot of inventory, so if you don't get a catalog for whatever reason, just request the NIC catalog.

I knew it years ago, but I persisted thinking other things I did could make a difference, and they do to a small number of people. Some people ONLY buy based on price, further education is beyond their ken. So I am unloading a lot of NiC stuff and my website will have more personal and informational chess product information as time goes on plus be home to the Purdy website and WHOLESALE.

While in Sept. of 2008 Amazon paid off a long term convertible bond of $1.25 billion, they still carry over $400 million in debt and it is mostly on the backs of publishers who put our books up for consignment. As the public doesn't really care about the ethics of selling this way, and looks only at "how cheap is it?" it puts companies such as Borders and little ones like mine, in a precarious position. I can't sit this out forever, so I am acting now.

In order to stay afloat I will introduce products which will not be sold to Amazon or through them. They get as much as 55% off of anything I sell them so they can afford to even low ball my own stuff! Even people I buy wholesale from low ball the resellers they sell to! There was a time when this wouldn't have happened, but that's long gone. So the entrepreneur in me seeks new and possibly more profitable havens such as chess events, chess specialty publications, and things like that. I don't know how some of these chess resellers with employees survive unless it is through credit card debt, putting off to tomorrow because of the fear of looking at their demise today.

Funny thing, I am still selling to overseas retailers!

Amazon.com has some type of algorithm which takes into account inventory, out of print status, what is and is not selling, as well as paying affiliates for sending customers to them. You might notice that in most cases there is little or nothing about the chess books they sell on their site. People can go to my catalogs for that and then order from Amazon. I have run into chess buyers who are REALLY surprised that I know about that! (Oooh, that was so difficult to imagine.)

So here is an opportunity to clean out my NIC inventory. One set of books I have found pretty close to impossible to sell have been the New in Chess Yearbooks which are actually quite good, but I also see my wholesaler practically giving them away! So, in a matter of time, he will lose me as a customer and have to unload more inventory as people struggle to find him. He denies that sales are that significant. If that is true, how does the small amount convert to the RISK of losing loyal wholesale customers? He's an idiot if he thinks this will work.

In the end this may be a blessing. But I do have a lot of "industrial secret" information I have garnered over the years, such as who puts out really crappy books (you can't give them away), who are resellers I wouldn't trust any further than they can be tossed, and worse yet, those who sell stuff and have NO idea what their products contain. There are a lot of them and they use discounts to move their stuff... no marketing skills. NOTHING to help their customer. The average rating of the average customer out there is about 1400 and these people who need the MOST help, get the least, unless they buy from G&L CHESS (me).

Yes, I do have faithful and great customers, I just wish there were more. And they will be treated like Kings and Queens as the year rolls on.

One last note: I have had quite a number of people tell me they wanted to come to the Las Vegas event only AFTER I cancelled it! I announced it, hardly anything happened. In business, I am ALWAYS, always, serious. I'm not out there putting up trial balloons like the politicians do to float an idea. Maybe in 2012. As it is, I have some other ideas, possibly for the summer. I know some will complain, "but hey, I'm thinking of going to the US Open or the World Open." Keep thinking, I have no shares of stock in those. First I will be starting off with a "by invitation only event." This is a good time to sign onto this Blog so I can collate names of interest. Do not dilly dally, time, as they say, waits for no one.

Thanks.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY OWN BLOG PAGE

2011-02-11T10:46:00.002-06:00

Thursday night I met with my web guy. We discussed a lot of stuff. Lots.

I look forward to getting something up--inventory management is the biggest issue and "how affordable" do we want to go? Next is the Blog.

At present I am on Google's Blogspot. I know Google is adored by many, but I am not one of them. The other day I went to get into my YouTube account and play some tunes while working. Now they wanted my password to "link" to some other damn idea they had that morning. I know what my password is, but it didn't work. I went to set a new password, it didn't work either. I had the same problem with THIS Blog Account just a few minutes ago. Google is ALWAYS tinkering, even with gmail. Yes, some folks never seem to have a problem. I think they have short memories. I work with this computer EVERY day, all the time.

So if we should get to a point where you wonder, "What Happened to That Guy in Iowa?" you will know. I will be setting up my own Blog on my website, IF that ever gets done! In the meantime, just to be safe, if you who read this want me to contact you when I move, just send me a brief note and I will put your email address in a MAIL folder. The paranoid will act like I am email address collecting but I really have no time for such machinations. The fact that I occasionally miss a Blog Post should show that.

Why am I busy? Right now I am working on another Catalog supplement. The descriptions in this supplement will eventually find their way into my online catalog. They are lengthy and hence, time loss. I want my catalog to make a difference.

It's nice to get email response to my Blogs or to even have you leave comments. But if you don't, I won't cry. I read CNN and only a few other ancillary sites every day. What amazes me, continually, is the incredible stupidity of those who comment on a Blog when it somehow disagrees with their own perceptions. Invariably it is political and one-sided. But it can also be, "Why does CNN give so much coverage to Apple?" My guess is that interests a lot of CNN readers. Do you see "chess" stuff on CNN? No. How about on Google News? No. Like the guy who said, "Yes, we have no bananas," the US or world, has no Fischer. Anand is lethargic. Nice guy but not a tree shaker. Kasparov was somewhat of a tree shaker. Kramnik was not. Carlsen makes some news (on ChessBase). We are in a "hobby" where there is no horse (Knight). When FIDE stubs its toe it is expected. The inept leading the inept.

So hopefully you will continue with what's going on here. Recently I've had two Blog Collators talk to me about setting up links, etc... I hate to say it, I don't know how or have the time if I did. People find this place, somehow. Maybe some of you could tell me how you did. Just leave a note. And remember, if you don't see anything new on here in a while, Google did it... Control freaks making us all "safe."

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

SURPRISE SURPRISE SURPRISE

2011-02-10T09:55:00.002-06:00

Every time I heard Gomer Pyle say that I wanted to throw a hammer at my TV screen.

But, a number of people were surprised when I sent them a "warning" yesterday telling them they were about to receive a free hardbound book, the one called ENDGAME by Frank Brady on Bobby Fischer. They were surprised they were in the TOP 21. To me that means they figured there were bigger spenders than they out there! Hmmm... you know what, wouldn't that have been nice?

I will be sending out another batch tomorrow and then be finished for now. I had asked the publisher Random House for a desk copy (I did buy 25 copies to resell) and never heard from them. I prefer to review my own book rather than one I want to sell to someone else. That way I keep the coffee stains off of it--which is interesting because I don't even drink coffee. Greg Delaney donated his copy to me. Thanks Greg.

Who services the West Coast or down South when it comes to chess books? If there are chess resellers in those areas I never hear from them. Is it just me, USCF and ChessCafe? That's hard to believe. I know some look at Amazon 15-20 times a day but that's not the same as buying 15-20 times a day. If any of you out there know of other sources I would like to meet them. One reason is that I am sending most of my stuff overseas! Germany, England, Holland, Australia... and am wondering what is happening to the USA. Wholesale Chess keeps telling me they will order from me but I think they would rather sell chess sets (which everyone else has too). Some are only into scholastic stuff and that means clocks, pads, bags, and sets and boards... and probably their whole garage is full of that.

I am giving some thought to opening up 15-20 boxes of books, magazines, and chess sets which I have had sitting idle for years and letting the cosmos rip with that! All previously owned stuff.

The Blog

By the way, I see a few more have signed up (whatever that means) for this Blog. Thank you.

Catalogus Nextus

Am working on a catalog of New in Chess titles and it is in a format I think I can now live with for other catalogs. Sometimes it takes years of experimentation. I am always getting catalog requests from out of the blue. It reminds me of the days when we used to mail out catalogs (and so did Chess Digest)... I would often get scores of requests from people who never ordered anything. I took that to heart--it meant one of two things (future chess business people, note this):

a) there were those people, and not just those in prison, who sit down and send off for catalogs on all kinds of stuff and never have any intention of purchasing, they are just looking for cheap reading material, which regularly, will show up in their mail. Herman Herst, one of the best stamp dealers in NY told me he regularly took postcard requests and tossed them in the waste basket.;

b) those who want to be tantalized but who can never reach for that credit card, checkbook, or PayPal button. I've met them. In fact, Bobby Fischer was kind of like this. No price was cheap enough or low enough. No book was fat enough. No DVD was long enough in content. And in those extremely rare times when they actually did buy something (I am sure that by this time the seller had just been put into an asylum) it was so dog-earned and worn that you would have thought they would be a genius at the subject only to discover--they weren't. As the old Jewish lady said, "I could tell you stories."

Just another day at the salt mine. Now... to fill some orders. Sorry I missed ya yesterday, busy.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

BEST CUSTOMER CONTEST

2011-02-08T10:02:00.004-06:00

Super marketer and "rethinking things" pundit Seth Godin wrote about the "best customer" yesterday in his Blog (sethgodin.typepad.com). He said in one paragraph:

"But what if you define "best customer" as the person who brings you new customers through frequent referrals, and who sticks with you through thick and thin? That customer, I think, is worth far more than what she might pay you in any one transaction. In fact, if you think of that customer as your best marketer instead, it might change everything."

My experience says he is right. However, most chess players and buyers are reluctant to give referrals. I've seldom seen anything like it, not even in magic, an intensely secretive business. Are chess players afraid to send a friend to some business such as my G&L CHESS for fear a future opponent will get a leg up on them in a future contest? Or could it possibly be that the referral might make your friend more important to G&L CHESS than you are? Or are chess buyers essentially only concerned about themselves if they are concerned about that at all?

It's a mystery to me, sort of. The excuse (reason?) some will offer is "I am just so busy." Myself and others have suggested getting rid of the TV set for a while JUST to find out how busy you really are! Once you find out that the TV provides you little time to do anything else, then you can go back and retrievc it for further watching. I know a guy today who if his TV was taken away he would be hopelessly adrift because he drones on about the most incredible TV shows he has seen in just the past week (and in excruciating and mindless detail, even recording them). I don't see how he has time to sleep. His conversations are bland to the point of my finding a derringer water pistol to take myself out!

What Am I Gonna Do?

New, fresh customers are important to any business so I will have a contest. But I have to think about the prizes (help?). Remember when you were in school and they would have an Ice Cream Social or some other benefit where the person selling the most tickets would win a Cadillac? (No, I don't remember that either.) I remember once selling 100 tickets and my results were a joke! Some other kid stood in front of a grocery store and sold like 400 tickets! It killed a lot of my enthusiasm for future endeavors because I was just blown off the map. So I will have runners up prizes too. I will have to think of appropriate prizes and timing for 2011 instead of giving a free book (such as a hardbound!) to the most worthy.

After all, you who go to chess clubs must know people. You who play correspondence chess must know people. You who run chess camps, or organize big events must know people! Right? (Secret: it's been my experience that those who run events (organizers) never let anyone in on what they do. Some years ago I wrote to many organizers around the country and never heard from any of them. I suspect, though I can't prove it, most of them are not really players, collectors, or even that interested in chess... they just have to be doing something.)

So, REFERRALS are my next thought, starting today. I will keep a spreadsheet of names, email or physical addresses, and who referred. Your contributions will be counted. Incidentally, I don't think Facebook will be that helpful, some accumulate lots of names but I never see anything done with them, probably because they are on Facebook nearly all the time to do anything else.

Can we start now? Yes.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PRIZES: They will be good ones.

ENDGAME BY FRANK BRADY

2011-02-07T16:41:00.004-06:00

It's here!

It is a book on Bobby Fischer's life which I am providing FREE to my top 20 customers (for the past two years). The calculation was based on two metrics: Sales of at least $375 per year for the past two years, and a profit index of at least 33%. In other words, while I appreciate sales to those who are looking for rock bottom deals (as it helps clear out sluggish inventory), those who are keeping my business alive in profit performance have a strong relationship with me.

Initially the book looks good though I admit to reading captions under pictures I haven't seen before including a picture of Fischer when he was 1 yr old, and one of his Mom with him in 1972 in Reykjavik wearing a blonde wig!! Copies will be mailed out over the next few days.

I love doing things for those who have loved helping me. Some of you know who you are are. A few others might be surprised that I HAVE been paying attention to you. Restarting a business is nothing if not hard work and some of you have made it worthwhile on those days where I wonder if it is worth it. But like Fischer once said, "What else would I do?"

I have some other ideas for later this year. I've already made purchases and have a "in my head outline," but I need more time to put it all together.

WEB SITE

I've met with my "web master" and there are some significant snags. The "shopping cart" he was going to use is seriously flawed in the area of categorization of inventory. As I mentioned to him last November... people who design software for FREE (while trying to make money from plug-ins) invariably lose motivation after a while. In my mind, Ubercart lost its motivation. So, we are reassessing. Back in the days when I had 14-16 employees I had NO interns, or people working for free. You pay nothing, invariably you get nothing unless it is an industrial spy who is working for someone else and getting paid by that someone else.

Big corporations who have interns working for next to nothing would be better off paying them something decent and firing some VP who makes a pile of money for being pretty much, non-essential.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

AROUND THE U.S.A. IN SPADES

2011-02-05T10:44:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I related how difficult it can be to break into the chess business whether, selling, publishing, or running events. Often the "old guard" (of which I am now one, sort of) wants you to stay 10-15 years away. Dan Kennedy also writes about this in one of his books about when he lived in Arizona and was also on the "speech giving" tours. Problem was, he was making a lot more $$$ than the people keeping him down... so that only made it worse (for them).

All this reminded me of how vicious the internet can be at times (not to mention those who pass on lies via word of mouth). I remember browsing through the net looking for something when I came across a link for a Mr. X. Years ago I remembered him whining about how he never got feedback from what he wrote on his "Chess Blog." I think he was into correspondence chess... something like that. He wasn't getting readers because he wasn't interesting. That simple.

Like I said above, I came across him years later when I saw a link so I thought, "Hey, let's see what X is up to these days... maybe more readers, more feedback!"

Instead it was a harangue about ME!!! The main thesis was that I had undeserved popularity. I hadn't been anywhere, done anything, and yet I was getting undeserved PR. This guy was not too bright apparently and as bad as politicians are (and chess politicians are usually worse), he should never consider politics.

I never wrote to this dipshit for obvious reasons. But, never been anywhere? Let's see, at 27 I was in Iceland when everything was hitting the fan over the Fischer - Spassky match. I attended meetings, got photos, met some really cool people, made a lifelong friend (Bragi Kristjansson), and wrote many articles about my time there, meeting Euwe, Al Horowitz, Bill Lombardy, Larry Evans, Harold Schoenberg (NY Time music critic and chess bon vivant), and who knows who else including meeting Bill Wheeler (more about him in my book The Chess Assassin's Business Manual, still available from me for $30).

I've sold from Las Vegas to Pittsburgh. to Minneapolis to St. Louis, and in between including Chicago, Denver and Des Moines. I've sold and marketed out of Davenport, IA, Iowa City, Macomb, IL, and Savannah, GA. I've played in events from the US Open in Boston (1988) and Chicago (1994), several National Opens in Las Vegas, etc. and held 4 Chess Festivals, 6 chess clinics, and I have never been anywhere or done anything!!? This guy is an ass who knows nothing about me at all.

Publication wise Thinkers' Press has done nearly 150 books and journals, mostly on chess. I've published SQUARES, Chessstamps Informant, Chess Atlas, The Chess Gazette, Lasker and His Contemporaries, The Chess Reports, Chess EXTRAS, and now Purdy's Chess Chronicles. I suspect the reason this yahoo complained about lack of feedback to his writings is that HE hasn't done anything and wouldn't know what that kind of work looked like!

I've even ghost written stuff for others! And all that was in the realm of chess which didn't include my years in magic and the typesetting business and computer sales conferences. Most of this stuff I haven't written about except loosely and I didn't even include 10 years working for DoD as an applied mathematician. So, don't believe everything you read on the internet. Maybe best is checking the credentials of the person slamming someone else. He gave MY name in print. I ignored him. I will not give his name in print because he hasn't done anything of value. He's probably still around because I think the last time I checked he was head of The Narcissists League of America.

If you have a choice between whining and doing something, doing something always wins out.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

GIVING TPi PRODUCTS A CHANCE

2011-02-04T16:48:00.002-06:00

Before I got into books I was labeled that "chess stamps" guy. After I got into books the reviewers kept harping on that "chess stamps" thing as if I had never read a book in my life. The weirder thing is I received manuscripts from one author who claimed to have almost no chess books, none by Batsford, and his manuscript was completed full of needless mistakes, and this guy was rated over 2400. Apparently reading about chess and writing about it were BOTH foreign to him. His books did well! When he learned more, and read more, he started writing total crap. That was an interesting reverse!

After Thinkers' Press became better known than any other chess publisher in America it seemed I had finally arrived. Just the other day I got a call from a promoter in Las Vegas and he said, "Oh yeah Bob, every body in chess knows you." News to me. I haven't heard from these "everybodies."

Then in 2008 or so I started into the area of DVDs and was pretty much universally ignored though I sold some. It's now 2011 and this past week I have sold quite a few DVDs with the prospects increasing in Europe (hopefully). Fortunately, I have a great tendency to ignore people who to my mind KNOW nothing and prove it frequently. I guess if you keep bad mouthing me you can hope I will go away but the facts are quite the opposite, usually it is the bad mouther, not the mouthee, who disappears. That kind of marketing tactic to drive people away from one company and toward another (yours?) is a 2-edged sword. You better have some good reasons, but even then, getting them to stick with a fickle public isn't easy.

In fact, I have a couple ideas for some great DVDs but like everything, "in due time." When was the last DVD you saw that had a NEW idea that was good? (Or, even an idea?)

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

PUBLICATIONS

2011-02-02T18:33:00.003-06:00

1. Friday issue of The Chess Reports is done for Friday. Will be shipped on Thursday. Need to proof again.

2. Purdy Chess Chronicles #2 is already being worked on. One phase I am in is a tremendous match with Gregory Koshnitsky. 4 annotated games so far. Great stuff.

3. Some more work will be done this week on Chess EXTRAS. Special art issue and "Why are there so many chess kids' books being done?" 4 titles to show. And "Chess Around the World" has got some funky oddities.

Something has to break soon, right?

I sent out a Special SALE list this morning. Where's the response? Am I impatient? I must plow on.

I haven't heard back from Random House yet about the book by Brady on Fischer. Big Corporations, bigger morons. Why? Because I filled out 4-5 pages of crap to order 25 books. I was an older customer but apparently they thought I had moved to Tanu Tuva to find Richard Feynman.

Another day, another no dollars? Nothing much new in new books that are worth anything. Remind me to tell you about a new book called Play Like a Girl! I am amazed at the crap that publishers put out on a consistent basis.

I figure if I leave no email address today I will be contacted. Is it the snow? No emails today? What's the snow got to do with it? Are the ISPs down? Mine aren't. I have snow up to my kneecap.

Tomorrow.

LAS VEGAS CHESS BOOK CAMP 2011 POSTPONED

2011-02-01T20:06:00.002-06:00

For a whole host of reasons, I have postponed the June 6-8, 2011 Chess Book Camp. The Hotel ONLY contacted me this afternoon AFTER I had already cancelled the event. The organizer of the National Open, Al Losoff also called me this afternoon (I knew Al from Chicago days).

Due to the lateness of several things, I just felt that 4 months was not enough time to put together the kind of show I like to produce. So, it may be moved to the same place next year. Al has already indicated a willingness to talk with me about this as he had a non-compete clause in the hotel contract.

The GM celebs have already been notified and agreed to this postponement to possibly another time.

I had no advance entries thus telling me people were either NOT interested or they wanted to KNOW more. I couldn't say more until agreements were in place but, I'll tip you THIS: they were going to be GREAT!

In the meantime, two other things will be happening. CHESS TNT will be the name of the October event which replaces the "spot" previous Chess Clinics. More data soon. Andrew Martin and I are talking about it already. TNT stands for Teaching N Training in which an event will be run (mini tournaments), play critiqued, and lessons learned before the start of the next round. I recommend you rejoin the USCF if you have let it lapse (membership). I could take that upon myself and earn some affiliate dollars but I just don't have the time. If you have no other option let me know and I will take care of you on this. There will be prizes--good ones, not $$$. The POINT will be you will have your games critiqued by Martin and possibly others (qualified). It will be like TUTORING on the GO. You might even be able to apply what you have learned in the games in the 4-round event over TWO days + our usual evening get together. From my knowledge, this is another unique TPi experience and event which only later will be copied by others (as usual).

And one other thing: CHESS SOIREE. Another unique event where we have a nice intimate setting in a lodge, a woods setting, or some place where we can pick brains, discuss books, present interesting examples, etc. I will hand pick the invitations but show YOU how you can get one. This is designed this way mainly to keep out people who have no interest in anything but their own agenda. Fortunately, over the years I am blessed with virtually no problems in this area. (I can think of a guy who called me on the phone several years ago to tell me what a great collector he was, yada, yada, blowhard. He spent lots of money, was a doctor, knew everything about everything. Do I need this or him? Nah. Let him buy a another mirror.)

If you want to know more, contact me at the email address below. No $$$ costs or locations are yet known. To make the Las Vegas deal work and to handle the many expenses, I needed at least 45 people paid at a larger amount. I am currently looking at other venues AND access. Maybe even around Wisconsin, Chicago, or even Davenport if they have what we want.

Stay in touch. Here's the BIG P.S. (postscript): It will be better than other things I have done, I already know this. Andrew and I spent a lot of today emailing ideas back and forth. And if you aren't a particularly strong player, you will also have your place in the sun as prizes will be awarded in the last round or last two rounds no matter how well you did earlier!! Another new concept. Fun and a state of being "charged" where everyone matters. Hard to believe, but that's my goal, I hope it is yours.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LAST DAY TO SAVE BIG

2011-01-31T16:51:00.002-06:00

Yep, you can save $10 by getting Andrew Martin's CENTER COUNTER RISING today for $29.95 + $3.50 for shipping. If you live outside the country the first class shipping is $5.00 and it entitles me to fill out customs paperwork! (The excitement never ends here.)

137 minutes of heavy breathing by our international master on the whys and wherefores of the Center Counter plus a nice (3) game bonus on how to take down those "chumps" who try to prepare for you by varying in the first couple moves (they do NOT ever learn).

That's the big deal going on today. Check tomorrow to see what new trouble I can get into.

Oh yes, PayPal is fine, so are credit cards (most of them). If I don't have your CC on file, call me at 563-271-6657. You will find, in short, why it's so much better to do business with G&L CHESS than anyone else... periodsky!

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

JANUARY 31 IS THE LAST DAY FOR THREE DEALS

2011-01-30T16:37:00.003-06:00

Sometimes the last day of a sale or special deal is the busiest as we count our dollar bills to see if we can afford something. The problem usually is, something we want is often gone.

The special DVD sale which ends tomorrow, half are gone and unfortunately some had to be denied... but give it a try anyway since I seldom broadcast what is gone. I have others at their regular price which seems to attract little attention.

The Chess Stars books have their last sale day tomorrow before everything goes back to "abnormal."

And, the $10 savings for Andrew Martin's Center Counter Rising ends after tomorrow too. $29.95 + shipping for one more day.

A thought that nags me constantly is having special prices set up for G&L CHESS. I should just sell at retail as others nearly do, and have that occasional Big Sale which brings everyone else out. When one already has sale prices people wait until I have a sale on the sale! Insane. The profit margin on books is totally pathetic. I'll never make a living from that and so that's why I am introducing my own products. Soon, many of mine will go up on my web site. I saw it yesterday and it has a ways to go, a long way... unfortunately, but it will happen. I've been getting favorable publicity here and there. Why? My guess is that people are unhappy with who they have been dealing with. For one thing, I'm sure many of you know, there are a lot of clueless people out there in the chess business. Don't know the difference between chess and shoe polish.

Hope to change all that in spades. Remember the IDES of January 31... whatever that means.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

GRANDMASTER #1 AGREES

2011-01-28T11:46:00.004-06:00

I have picked two GMs to headline the event at the Las Vegas Chess Book Camp 2011. #1 has agreed pending working out details with #2 (a good and honorable friend). This is Grandmaster Alexander Shabalov a US Champion.

I need to clarify some details about the hotel and so forth too. I've calculated that I need to sell a minimum of 45 tickets to break even for my costs. But, as ticket sales go up, so does the cost, but fortunately a lot less than the first 45.

Also, the hotel rates for my event are $42 (+ applicable taxes) at South Point Casino. The price is $55 for the National Open. I won't comment on this at the moment until I get more facts, but many events make money from the sale of rooms. I think I did that once, in 2002 for the very expensive Chess Festival which was a rousing success at the Lodge. I made a few dollars for each one attending, not enough to cover the cost of the rooms for the celebs but it helped.

I am sure we will have a coded account for you to register; need a few more days.

Significant progress is being made on my chess web site. In fact I am working on some data conversion on the other side of writing this Blog.

Just keeping you up to date.

As to Shabalov, if you've never met him, he's a great guy! Met him in Denver years ago. Thanks to Andy Rea for getting his email address to me. I am trying to get Andy there too because as a raconteur, he's "right up there."

June 6-8th, week of the National Open.

bob@thinkerspressinc.comcom

BREAKING THE RULES -- BY ONE

2011-01-27T12:46:00.002-06:00

My life is a dichotomy when it comes to breaking rules.

I've broken them when I had to move forward, such as in areas of typography, and business.

typography: I designed books differently than the usual publishers. I get criticized and praised for that. Almost always by those whoa re not peers.

business: just because everyone else is offering a 50% discount to resellers doesn't mean I have to. My books sell, I don't need to give them away like Verizon gives away phones, to get people to bring me "some" business.

On the other hand, if you don't have some strong guidelines, then all hell breaks loose as some people feel they are an "exception" to anything. I have a rule about that!

Recently I mentioned to some of my subscribers of my publications that I would be giving away the new book by Frank Brady, on Fischer, titled, Endgame. I just sent in the order this morning. I ordered a few extra for my business because after all, the winners would own the book (from me) and therefore, most likely not buy one from me. It usually works like that.

I'm the one giving away the books and paying for the postage so I get to make the rules. To get into the "select" 20 for this $25.99 book (And I will ship them out as soon as I get them) you had to have purchased at least $750 worth of stuff from me since the beginning of Feb. 2009 to the end of 2010. And, you had to have a profit margin to net of 33% or higher. That last part is the stickler.

Some bought a lot of things but I didn't make much from the sale. And, if I don't make much, I'm not around for long. Giving away some things as I did to get people to purchase helps a little, but not in the long run.

So those who ordered things (DVDs, and Books) along with publication works created by me, stood to do the best.

The numbers are taken from 150 buyers in that time period. Dealers and non chess purchasers were excluded. That means 1 in 13.

I ended with 21 who satisfied the requirements, but one was at 31% in the profit ratio. So I sat on a thumbtack and I decided to give him a copy of ENDGAME, and he would be #21. Since only if you get a copy of the book will you know if you were a winner--you'll have to wait a few weeks. The numbers were taken from my accounting program and the winners worked out from an Excel Spreadsheet. I want to congratulate you as well as those who came close (I know that is paltry consolation, but there has to be a cut off). Since those who didn't win won't get a FREE book that means send the book won't lower my profit margin from you! (The silver lining in the cloud, as it were.)

A few big spenders were actually way down on the profitability list, that meant you could lose ground next year and get mad at me!!! (Yes, me.) Some only order stuff that's been heavily discounted, or given away, etc. As you no doubt understand, that's a hard-to-calculate "goodwill" percentage.

If you want to start off well for THIS year (only this year will be considered the next time, the dual year was a one time thing), I have the following available:

Chess Book Camp 2011 Las Vegas (Min. $199, Max. $250).

Gold Card for 2011 $50

Chess EXTRAS $65 ($50 is you have a Gold Card 2011)

The Chess Reports $69.95 (will include a CD)

Purdy Chess Chronicles $69.95.

My Search for Chess Perfection $39.95 by Purdy

The Chess Assassin's Business Manual $30

The Critical Secret for Success at Chess or Anything Else $79.95

My various Andrew Martin DVDs.

My margins are high on these because I don't get paid unless I make some $$$. I'm still paying off my expenses on these gems.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

Hope to hear from you.

DO CHESS ENTREPRENEURS HAVE NIGHTMARES?

2011-01-26T10:46:00.005-06:00

This one does. Chess ones.

Usually I sleep well, like the proverbial rock.

But whenever I am putting together celebrity guests, a venue (this time, Las Vegas), working with a hotel, etc. it can get crazy. And it can be a sleep wrecker--soon as the thought occurs, I jump out from under the covers and go downstairs to start working.

The latest idea is that after 4 Chess Festivals, and 6 Chess Clinics, a Chess Book Camp® 2011 is in the cards, in Las Vegas.

Getting celebs to agree on a monetary package (which is not usually the problem), working out things with the Hotel (not too bad, a few bumpy spots), creating a program (organizing it is the hard part), airfare costs, and then hoping for customers... yeah, that's the part that makes or breaks everything. School is OUT this time.

Funny thing though, no one complains about the cost to come. Maybe it is because they understand that all these "points" do cost money. And of course if a good turnout happens and everything goes well, then plans for the next one can be made, with a reasonable cost, so that more can join in the "fun."

But this IS a problem too. One of the things I have heard is that people have a lot of fun at my events because of the "intimacy" of meeting me, the celebrities, and other friends they have gotten to know from the past. Intimacy has its costs. The bigger the crowd, the fewer that some people get an opportunity to do more than just shake hands with me or answer a few questions in the "purchase line."

There is a dichotomy here. If one has more celebrity guests, to spread the wealth around, then that cost goes up too. I've been thinking about Las Vegas and how big of a room should I have. I've been speculating on 50-100. If we have that many, I will have to rent visual equipment from the Hotel--and that always runs the risk of--"not working" when you need it. and interfacing with the celeb guests.

Also, I am already getting questions about an event in October with Andrew Martin. My plan is to make both events (if there is a second one) far enough apart that you can go to both. I've decided against 3, who has that much stamina? Not me. And after 2011, I will probably go to one event a year and perhaps some "private events." The private ones are the "invitation only" type where we have specific agendas and maybe ONE celebrity guest. The clients who have supported me would be the ones on my invitation only list.

This time the Book Camp will be about Books and possibly DVDs. All the work ahead sends a shock through my veins. The probable dates are June 6-8. I've been talking with the South Point Hotel and Casino, and am still waiting for some information. On the 9th there will be a big grandmaster simul I am told. Then the National Open starts on the 10th and runs through the 12th. It's like a dream week for some. One week of "information and fun" and also playing. Because the event would be held before the National Open, those who don't want to play could just go home, or hang around for the Simuls.

I am working with two US Grandmasters at the moment. Both of whom I "know." Working out a venue and compensation package are important here too.

Is there any in the Blog audience of mine who is interested?

A couple things: I think the hotel fare is about $45-50 a night during the week. Weekends are about double (maybe there is a special deal for the National Open, I do not yet know). The cost of the ticket for the Book Camp looks to be about $250. But, if you register early (by April 30 at latest, but there will be "tiered pricing") it's $225. If you also have a Gold Card 2011 and register early (NOW) it would be $199. Getting the Gold Card would easily be worth it BECAUSE things that you might consider buying at the event itself would save you more. The Gold Card would therefore be practically FREE.

This is the preliminary plan. Also, one book I am interested in discussing is the new one from Moskalenko to see if it can really help you systematize your play and make you a better player. I will be talking to the GMs about this. I also have a talk and a book planned called THE THREE P's: Planning, Publishing, and Practice and how it can transform yourself to be a better player. Do you realize that very little, except by Neil McDonald, has been written on planning? I am going to show you how important that REALLY is. And HOW Planning can relate to Strategy too.

I am taking reservations now and will announce the GM plans soon. I reserve the right to refund your money if it looks like the costs will outweigh the income. I need about 35-40 registrants to break even. (It will be worth coming.) If it does better than that, then a chunk will be set aside for next year's extravaganza.

That last word is the whole point of the "nightmares" and a "cushion" for the event. If I didn't have money to worry about, then all these arrangements would be ten times easier. I feel like an accountant is standing behind me with a sword in hand, over my head. The "announcement time" is only four months, shorter than usual... but perhaps a smaller time frame will move people to action more quickly.

What do we have now"

a) Las Vegas--a fun destination, lots of airport access and usually inexpensive flights compared to most other places.

b) A chess tournament following my event if that is to your liking.

c) Recommendations of books (and why) destined to help YOUR play and appreciation of chess (it's not always about improvement is it?)

d) A GM simul after the event where you can choose who to play since I have nothing to do with this (June 9th).

e) A fee which is modest compared to almost any other conference or get together in Las Vegas.

f) One, probably two, GMs to spend time with us. One has already been writing a review of my book from last year called "The Critical Secret for Success" and he told me he liked it, found some good ideas in it, and will tell us what is important in his findings.

g) More details will be up soon on my web site... I can't say when, the web guy and I are still working on this.

h) One other thing. A surprise... as always.

Conditions subject to change. The above are all "guidelines" at the moment.

Thanks,

Bob Long

So... open for business, today! The time to buy the Gold Card 2011 expiration window to purchase is March 31, 2011. It's $50, same price as last year.

NOTE: Laz Munoz commented that I neglected the dates! Yikes. I know I have been working from dates today on separate messages I have been working on. Thought I had it here. Have been discussing this with the GMs. My apologies. The Date: Evening of June 6th, all day Tuesday and Wednesday the 7th and 8th. Done around 5-6 Wed., p.m.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

NEW TOPIC FOR THE CHESS REPORTS

2011-01-25T17:23:00.002-06:00

There will be a 2-3 issue appearance of material on how to study a new defense--in this case, the Slav. It will start in next Friday's edition (not this Friday) of The Chess Reports, #122. It's unfortunately true, just like anything else, chess players can fall into deep ruts, and soon nothing new is learned. And results stagnate.

A friend of mine beat a player rated 500 points above him a couple weeks ago. And he won two other games. If he wins tonight he will win the tournament he is in. I'm pulling for him. The other tournament, the club championship, except for one person, is having mixed results. Plus a number of unplayed but to be rescheduled games. Does this favor someone? It sure doesn't favor the guy who is willing to show up at the right time. I think it is a matter of directors being unable to say NO coupled with not wanting to disappoint anyone for they might quit coming. It's always about stuff like that, not about doing the right thing, following the rules so that EVERYONE is treated equally (strong and weak). Back in the early 90s when I was playing we didn't have equivocation and had huge turnouts simply because EVERYONE (again) knew what to expect. If Mr. Bigshot showed up 20 minutes late he had lost 20 minutes on his clock because the rounds started on time. Why should others suffer for the sins of those who don't care or respect their opponent?

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

HELPING A DAILY BLOG READER

2011-01-24T11:55:00.002-06:00

I have forgotten how people can become a subscriber to this Blog. When one wants to leave a "comment" it asks for your type of account. For example, a Google Account (probably email, that is, gmail).

I've come to the conclusion that Google doesn't make it easy in order to keep away the fraudsters, hackers, and just in general people who have nothing else to do except to try to be cute, clever, and just plain annoying. Apparently these guys aren't successful on their own (??) attracting an audience, so they spoil the party by putting Exlax in the chocolate chip cookies. It was juvenile even in High School. Actually, worse than Juvenile.

So if someone could leave a comment as to "how easy it is" to subscribe for my friend James, I am sure he would greatly appreciate it.

When my Blog is ready for prime time on my own web site, I figure all you will need is just to access my web site. I like that idea. Seeing Cody tonight (I hope) for more details.

Thanks for checking in--no other words of wisdom to pass on today EXCEPT I am working hard on another private index for creating future Purdy Chess Chronicles. Already I have over 100 entries. Lots of good stuff to come for quite a while.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THINKERS' PRESS INC COVERS

2011-01-22T23:08:00.002-06:00

It's come to my attention that a grandmaster has been criticizing covers of chess books produced by Thinkers' Press.

I haven't seen the article yet, when I do then I will tell you about it. I hope he gave the correct name of my company and address about where to buy this disreputable merchandise. Any kind of publicity is expensive so maybe people will disregard these comments from someone who has NO stake in my company.

This guy, if this is true, must have a lot of time on his hands. Right? Here I am a one man publishing show and this guy picks on MY books. He doesn't even know me so does this make him feel safe? I know who he is but not why he is doing this. This is just another example of moronicity run amok. Who knows if somewhere down the road he wanted to meet me, or do business with me on some project or another party trying to put us together. Short sighted, Businesswise, seriously dumb. I've said it many times, there are strong chess players out there who know don't know jack about business, any kind of business. And for some reason they criticize the work of others. Better check that plank in your own eye bud before you start looking for the splinter in mine.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

50 REGISTERED NOW

2011-01-20T19:47:00.002-06:00

George Eichhorn stepped forward, jumped through the Google hoops, and became the 50th registered person on this Blog. Thanks George. How come no picture George? You're handsome, anyone knows that.

Was supposed to meet with Web master tonight, been held over until 11 a.m. Saturday, so I won't be able to report on the "great stuff" he says I will see.

Received part of a review of my book which was published last October called The Critical Secret for Success, at CHESS and Anything Else. It was supposed to be listed on Amazon this year but my printer screwed that up. They claim they have now submitted the report to Amazon and others. The price is $99.00 or you can get it postpaid from me for $79.95. I may put the review by Grandmaster X (name revealed when I see the whole review) as a foreword to the book. The grandmaster even told me he learned a few things he CAN use.

One of my points in writing that book was to show others that if you HAVE a good idea, actually a strong idea, and a competent reviewer (ChessCafe does not have competent reviewers and hasn't had) you can make waves and get others to notice. Too much in chess is "me too" adulation. Strong performers have strong thoughts. Weak performers have "no thoughts," just repeated rambling.

When the Web Site is up, I will post the review on that site, which still remains unnamed until it is tested. Jana Sterling has also agreed to help beta test. Anyone else?

Back to tomorrow's Chess Reports. Still $69.95 for 10 issues of Semester 10.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WHO'S GOING TO BE NUMBER 50?

2011-01-19T22:29:00.003-06:00

We have 49 registered Blog readers of "the chess museum." More than that read it, but 49 are registered. Who wants to become #50?

A little while back I issued my 90,000th invoice since I began keeping track of invoices with computer software. I've done a pile of these in the last few years by myself and all those while I was in Georgia selling used merch or things like The Chess Reports. Today invoices were issued for those who have signed up for the Purdy Chess Chronicles. I just forgot about the 90,000 and I wanted to have a prize for that 90,000 invoice so now I will have to get excited when I get near 100,000. Apple has had 10 Billion app. downloads so I am way off from that.

Think about it, it's a lot of paper and ink.

Will tell you this week, possibly, more about the Purdy Chess Chronicles. Lots of stuff going on here. Tomorrow night I am supposed to get a status report on the new web site. I am anxious to tell you the name but can't until I see it is working. Patsy D'eRamo has already volunteered to be a beta tester. Anyone else?

Because of dental and medical appointments I am running around like a whirling dervish trying to finish up this week's Chess Reports. I don't hear much from the readers about the annotated games but believe me, there is real meat in those games or I reject them. If you can't understand "New in Chess" magazine, and many have told me they can't, then the Chess Reports should be on your list of "must buy." Issue #121 will be out this Friday and one feature is the games with the black pieces by Dragolub Velimirovic. Unfortunately I do not have a photo for him that is free use. You will learn a lot about assaults with pawns, tackling bizarre white openings against the Sicilian and much more. While there are twelve such annotated games, 6 will be in this issue and the remaining 6 will be in #122.

There is also an article on Chess Terrorism where Karpov pounds some guy into walking funny. An a big overview of ChessBase 11... which unfortunately isn't the most flattering thing in the world.

Stay tuned.... like a ukelele.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

THE PURDY CHESS CHRONICLES ROLLOUT

2011-01-18T20:06:00.002-06:00

The brochure for Purdy's Chess Chronicles is almost ready. The prizes for several lucky subscribers are set up, and the magazine itself was ready this morning. So everything should be ready by tonight.

Then I will be taking subscriptions at $69.95. PayPal or credit card (not American Express). Just call me at 563-271-6657 to give me your credit card details or send $69.95 to me at: bob@thinkerspressinc.com for PayPal payment. It really is that simple. Or if you have an account with me, just tell me to charge your card and send it to you. That's a no brainer.

Then a mailing later this week to customers who have been with me since 2009.

Tomorrow, I finish up undone work for The Chess Reports with a novel Introduction of an Opening I am going to teach, and which I have NEVER played. This is how an old dog learns new tricks, by teaching the other pooches. I am not mentioning the opening (actually, a defense) here because I don't need the GROAN of "Oh, how dull... I've never wanted to play that! {precisely what your opponents thing too until you grind them into sawdust)." Almost every opening is playable and this is against the 1.d4 opening.

Subscribe today, $69.95 for 10 magnificent issues + CD (a secret for now).

Apple inc. lost about 7% share value today because moron investors (would that be California??) were looking for an excuse to sell (Steve Jobs medical leave). Yet, by the end of the day, they had made up 50% of their losses. You can't keep something good down. Invariably what happens is those with money move in and buy the cheaper stock that they wouldn't have been able to buy any other way. But one of things which Apple is absolutely FAMOUS for is their "secrets" which irritate the hell out of stock analysts. But I mean, why does ANYONE owe them anything? Good product comes out, skyrocket city. So "secrets" can attract people and I plan to do more of that.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com