YOU KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE SATISFIED

you don't hear much from them anymore.

The Chess Reports will be at issue #113 a week from this Friday. I used to get all kinds of email (positive email), but nothing much anymore. Does that mean people are satisfied or too busy? Probably some of both.

The Chess Reports takes me about a week to put together. I listen to and watch a lot of DVDs, scour books, and look through things on my own bookshelves. Then with an idea in mind I go to ChessBase and dig up something tasty for those who DO love games and annotations, and yes, you guys exist.

Occasionally another thought rockets through my ears and I have to say something about it. Sales of merchandise through the publication could be better, but often it is a NOTICE to readers that such and such exists. At least I am trying to take it that way!

Yesterday there was a lot of Facebook back and forth posting between me and someone who wants to do a chess newsletter type of thing, but he felt someone else had the "market" cornered (not me, but I am not going to mention the name). I told him, "X is just wind, don't worry." If you have something worthwhile to say, do it, and find out that "talking" on Facebook is not enough. This fellow spends, by his own admission, almost all day online. I couldn't do that, life is too interesting... and the people he is writing to all day, who needs them either? This isn't even a social club because in social clubs people DO stuff. Writing is an "intellectual" pursuit in many ways and it can teach (instruct), it can make a difference, or it can be a way of not doing anything while looking like you are! Famous authors STILL write. Actors still act.

For you who read this and it appears there are quite a few of you, come out of hiding. Subscribe to The Chess Reports. Drop an email. Make a comment. It's $59.95. Guaranteed your satisfaction or your dough back.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

A MONSTER PURDY INDEX

For the past week I have been working on an Index for Purdy's Search for Chess Perfection. I have Learned a lot!

If you just read rag-tag throughout the book you will learn some things, but if you approach it from page 1 to the end, you will learn more.

When one is tired it's time to stop doing. When I wake up in the a.m. my FOCUS is strongest. I can understand things when I am rested 3-4 times better than when it is late and I have to read the content over two or three times to get it. It also, in general, makes more sense.

It will be a good index, in terms of entries, but because I am not an English major, there will be no prizes awarded for superb indexing though they will be above average (by quite a bit). Cross-indexing is the hardest because it requires a certain amount of mental gymnastics, over and over. I can only cover 40-50 pages per day... thank God for computers.

But HERE is where the Index is really important: you see two things, Purdy's incessant search for the best positions, illustrations, examples, and content... and you see the names of certain "players" over and over on every subject. These players usually are: Steinitz, Capablanca, and Lasker. There are others such as Fine, Botvinnik, and so on, but those three are BIG.

If I had to pick out ONE thing of supreme importance by Purdy it is the subject of development. Second on the list might be a tie: combinations and positional play. You can't know these things by guessing, but if you peruse the Index, it's almost as good as reading the book because there are lots of tweaks, tuning, and extended discussions. The added page numbers will also "prove" their importance.

As much as I like to sell chess books, and I do, I could easily recommend My Search for Chess Perfection over almost anything else out there when it comes to brilliant examples and work by a man who not only believes what he writes, but is willing to come back to it and straighten out anything that may have been "messed up" in the stew. He differentiates articles in magazines from those in books. Brilliant.

I knew this book was good, was positive it was good, but this time around I am convinced it is off the charts! It is not a small book, it will be over 400 pages. It will contain an extra chapter which I somehow left out from an earlier edition, and it cleans up a few tiny things here and there.

His two sections on HOW to eliminate or reduce Blunders is worth the price of the book, but it requires very close study. In fact, one of these days, I may do those chapters as a small booklet with more diagrams and extra explanations and examples based on other parts of Purdy's works. It is that good but it is also that compact.

This new edition probably won't be here until early october. It will be $39.95. It will weigh more than 2 pounds. It is electric.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

LABORING DAY

Someone said to me today: "Do you do anything on Labor Day? You're self-employed aren't you?"

I labor on most holidays. I am trying to bring my business back and beyond the "good days." Here's what I have found out in talking with a lot of people including those who run competing companies:

1. Some web sites are absolutely horrible and require lots of time to navigate. Simplification just seems impossible for them. They have the logic of a sandbag.

2. It's not unusual for staff to not get back to me about an order I HAVE PLACED! To stop everything all I have to do is ASK one question! Grinds to a halt.

3. There is no Memory for what has gone before in chess. Chess is nothing more than a commodity, just like a Wal-Mart but with employees not knowing anything about the product or able to answer questions. I suspect they don't even wear a blue vest!

4. I ordered a couple books last night (not chess) from Amazon.com and was told that because I wanted free shipping I might have to wait 5-9 "business" days. That's up to almost 2 regular weeks. Recently, two weeks ago I ordered two books through Borders. I've received one, the second one is still out there somewhere. This was through their shipping agent Alibris.

5. Many companies are too busy to sell anything. That selling stuff just gets in the way of doing other stuff.

6. If my question is not in their product description (and not about the cost) they go into a dither. "I'll get back to you on that," but they don't.

7. No one is open on Holidays (including the Post Office, which as you know, has a ton of holidays). Why aren't government employees treated like the rest of us? Why isn't Congress treated like the rest of us? Until they get this they are going to keep getting voted out of office even if the new persons are no better than the old ones.

I constantly get emails from people who are flabbergasted at quick replies. If I have to hire an extra hand do you have any idea how much effort I will need to put into training that employee? And of course the emphasis is to get someone who won't act like the overpaid bozos who are out there already. When Nate and Rita were working for me I would put them up against anyone!! (Even business owners.) Nate is an electronics engineer now and Rita is working at a blood center in town, probably staving off Dracula and that Twilight crew!

If you are a customer, that is, someone who actually buys stuff, I hope you give me a try. I don't have a web site yet but I imagine you can all read the newsletters and catalogs I send out! Orders always get the Big Priority around here.

All this and still promoting the Last Chess Clinic. Yes, I do sleep, 8 hours a day.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

SWIMMING AGAINST THE TIDE

This morning I prepared 17 printed packets of info to send out by mail time to those who I've sold to in the past, but most of whom do not have email addresses (or didn't have the last time I contacted them). These will go out around the country. In a recent Broadband survey, for Iowa, it was revealed that about a third of all the houses (21% no broadband and 10-11 % don't have a computer or use it if they do) were not using the internet, for all kinds of reasons. Years ago I guessed that this was so for at least 25% of my customers and people told me they found that hard to believe (letting facts get in the way of THEIR lifestyle).

Some people (like me) just like to get MAIL and have it be something worthwhile. Isn't that part of the issue? Who wants to get ONLY letters from insurance companies, credit card companies, pizza offers, and Social Security stuff? Except for the pizza companies, all of this mail is unbelievably uninteresting and I don't eat pizza because I am diabetic.

But the point is, I am doing whatever is necessary to get people to come to the chess clinic which is only 5 weeks or so away. Others are helping by asking their "friends." I put "friends" in quotes because often when we get right down to it, personal friends treat us as if WE (you and me) are trying to scam money from them! Those who have told me they have asked others are: Ed reedy, Bob Lynch, Roger Kromphardt, Ron Nurmi, Steve Lamansky, Andy Ansel, Laz Munoz, William Shehan, Bob Woodworth, and Ken MacDonald. Bless you all. Bob Woodworth must have a great friend in John Hoffmann because he IS coming. THESE are the kinds of friends we really want in our life.

I wouldn't be surprised if some ask, "Davenport, Iowa, where is that?" Pure ignorance. I know where a lot of cities are in the US and I don't ask that question. This CLINIC will keep you busy, you won't have time for other stuff (miniature golf, bowling, shopping, museums, etc. but your significant other will!) This is about chess for us. It's the same way with "magic events." All the effort is on the magicians, the tricks, the friendships. Here, at this clinic you will be in touch with those who have tastes similar to yours. Friendships are easily made. Jim Perry, Dale Suilmann, and Julian Wan joined my son Rob, myself, and Andrew Martin in Savannah, GA in 2008. Ron Nurmi and Steve Lamansky came earlier (I had a date change, which they knew about, but couldn't swing coming down twice) were "available." It was a small crowd but one of the best. Now there is at least 10 times that. But the friendships formed at the evening restaurants and lunches in the Savannah area were priceless. And it just gets better.

Dollarwise we are talking probably 300 dollars or so if you register, get a room for one night, gas and some food. If you buy other things (at the clinic and elsewhere) you could easily go to $500 or more. But it's a Gig, and what a gig! I've known people to go to A baseball game in Chicago, with a couple kids, easily blow a thou. So it still comes down to WHAT turns you on. My "friends" (you folks) often just tell me, "Bob, I need a time out."

I am trying to make this the MOST turned you on event I have ever held. Hope you come. Call me at 563-271-6657.

PS: There is a fellow in the Pacific Rim who has been emailing me and it sounds very likely (thumbs up) that he will be coming. Change his itinerary, etc. but he can do it. Fortunately NONE of those who are coming let other stuff get into their way. You people, you're great, I love it, and will be seeing you soon.

Now, back to "indexing" the revised Purdy book--which I predict will be a HUGE hit.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

CHESS CLINIC #30 and #31 ATTENDEES REGISTER

We've got our 30th registrant, and first international one, Ken MacDonald from up North. Welcome Ken. Ken and I go back to the early 70s when he was the "man in charge of CCCA", and I sold chess books to Canadians! (Wow Ken, that was a long time ago.)

Ken has been to several Chess Festivals and he just offered an unsolicited testimonial for Andrew Martin: "I don't play/study chess any longer, but Martin was great at the Festival and I'll bet be he will be good there also."

It's true, he will be. I've neglected to mention that Andrew has a keen sense of humor and he is extremely quick-witted. And he's easy to hear. Now about that accent....! I don't have any trouble understanding him, you won't either. Adjust your brain.

It's Friday, and already I am having a GOOD day. I expect #31 later in the day!

It will be nice seeing you again Ken. Last time was in Savannah, GA in 2008 at that Pirate's Cove restaurant.

The 31st is Bob Ratcliff, a friend of mine from the Illowa Chess Club many years ago. Bob's wife Terry was in the choir with me and one day the subject of chess came up, the next thing I knew I was telling him about this event. He said he'd come. No arm twisting whatsoever (I like that!). He lives in Davenport so I pick up another "local." You're gonna have a great time Bob.

I read recently how Purdy "jump started" subscriptions to his Australasian Chess Review. He belonged to a club which he helped quickly grow to 300 members!! While he did pick upadditional subscribers from Australia (and New Zealand) guess where a huge number came from? The United States!! It's that damnable "out of town effect" again! If you are from out of town you get more respect. In that same vein Fr. Edward Catich was one of the world's premier calligrapher's and stone cutter's. Yet he resided in Davenport because he knew he wouldn't be "bothered." He was also one of the top correspondence chess players in the US. If you want to be ignored, move to Davenport, Iowa, I guarantee you won't be pursued or bothered unless you die!

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

ON MODERN CHESS PART FOUR KASP V KARP 1988-2009

Did this title catch most of us by surprise? I just got my stock today.

66 annotated games with almost half from the fifth match (1990). Several tournaments including knock out, Linares, some rapid and blitz. Another beautiful production.

Kasparov also discusses what it's like to put on an event where there is only bitching and moaning by others. Now he knows for sure you just can't please everyone. He also recounts a speech he gave where he "challenged" the right of FIDE to hold world championship matches, etc. (As usual, this type of remark comes AFTER one has become a world champion. Even then there is only limited "power.")

All Karpov and Kasparov games with lots of interesting commentary. Of course many of us love chess history and there is a lot of it here. 432 pages. Hardcover with dustjacket. Retails for $45.00. If you buy it from me at G&L Chess you will save $9.00. If you have a 2010 Gold Card you will save $13.50. I will ship for FREE.

I expect more later. Right now I have less than half a dozen on hand. Send an email if you are looking for a quick ship.

Also just in last night is Andrew Tocher's In Your Face Chess Novelties. It is $15.95, 115 pages. If you want it with the Kasparov book mentioned above, FREE shipping there also. If you want ti by itself it is two bucks extra. As always I look forward to hearing from you.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com

EARL ZISMER WINS DVD PACKAGE

In a drawing for Chess Clinic signups through August 16th, Earl Zismer, from Dubuque, is the winner of a set of SHOCKER DVDs from Thinkers' Press (us) and Andrew Martin! I apologize for the delay on this. Earl has been to a number of my events over the years and he's a great guy, a hard worker, and enjoys chess when he can! Thanks for signing up Earl. The package will be delivered at the Chess Clinic.

I expect #30 tomorrow or the next day if he is not beaten to it! He's already contacted me, but you know me, I don't publish until it's a done deal. Sometimes the temptation is strong to do that, but I have to resist as I recall, "Hmmmm.... hasn't this turned out to be unadvisable before?"

If you think this is an achievement it is (big numbers for the Chess Clinic) but I had 54 PAID at the Chess Festival in 2002. There were 4 chess (+1 non chess) celebrities at that one (which makes a difference). The additional person was Ray Smullyan, who ended up being the HIT of the weekend. In fact, GM Jonathan Rowson was later invited to Smullyan's home in the Catskills of NY (Ray has a nice place there, in the woods, thousands and thousands of books, and he loves breakfasts just like I do). Jonathan did go and they became good friends.

So if I can get 50 people with Andrew as the main celeb, that's great. I've also confirmed that Andres Hortillosa will be here on Friday night with his Smart Chess Demo. I'll be putting up more info on that in the next emailing I send out. Pic above.

Hard to believe it is September already. Don't wait! only 7 weeks left.

bob@thinkerspressinc.com