THE CHESS GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN*

Hopefully this will post for Saturday as this is being written on Friday.

Just got the word today that a proof copy of Purdy's book, his Handbook, to make you a really much better player, was posted today and I should have it by Monday. (They charge $30 for this service!)

I will look it over and make sure the page numbers are correct, nothing upside down, and that all the pages are there, plus, check the cover... then I give it thumbs up or down. If up, I send to the printer the quantity I want printed. Usually I have it 5 days later if I don't get a bad place in the queue (that's called screwing around and not getting back to them right away).

The book is $24.95 and it will not be on Amazon anytime soon. I want to ship to my buyers and dealers first. Actually this is my first new book for almost two years. SHipping is $4. If you have a Gold Card the book is $15 + $4 for shipping. If you live in Iowa I have to charge you an additional $1.05 for sales tax.

Also on tap, I am getting some subscriptions for The Chess Reports too! A few weren't aware that some long time ago they asked about a sample copy being sent to them!

Soon I will be working out the details for a Standard Subscription and a Platinum subscription. I think all this will keep my brain in good order. I took a little test today on the web about remembering numbers. They could've made it tougher. I got 11 numbers in a row correctly. Because I wasn't "fast" enough (probably gawking at something else waiting for the next number to show, I missed the twelfth). The test "said" seven is the average for people. I wonder how many your "average" chess master would get.

Deadline for TCR subs at the cheap $19.95 ends Saturday at midnight + 2 hours for Daylight Savings time turnover (yippee for longer lasting light outside!)

Love you guys!

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

WEB DOMAIN DISAPPEARS

I found out today that my web domain: thinkerspressinc.com has been down for 2 days and that's why I have gotten no emails and therefore have answered none. So if you wrote, please write again. I believe it is back up just a few minutes ago.

The end of the year can be chaotic with all kinds of renewals, dropping certain sites that were automatic renewals, taxes, end of year bookkeeping, and paying this person and that--it is my unfavorite time of the year.

Even shipping to me has been slow. Somehow a package I have sent to a customer has disappeared. I was trying to clean some wax out of my ear last week for a date and all I succeeded in doing was making myself deaf! I am hoping the medicine and "bulb" will change all that sooner. It's like a "perfect storm" of interruptions.

However one thing has been done. I have finished the Purdy book and am proofing it. I can't yet announce the details except that it will be about $25.00 (USA) and a special price to certain groups. The cover hasn't been designed yet as we think long and hard about these things.

However before closing I will make one special offer: If you subscribe to The Chess Reports between today and Monday (Jan. 29-Feb. 1) I will sell you a subscription to semester 8 for $25 instead of the usual $50. Four days only. Issue #99 will be out next week (Friday). You will also be emailed back issues for Semester 8.

Hope you have a terrific weekend even if you have snow and ice up to your waistline.

Information on the Purdy book will be announced later. I have yet to index the book and that takes considerable time. So hold your thoughts.