Primates gear up for Tournament 44!

The gang returns intact – with the exception of Don, who continues to concentrate on his Masters studies program. Tom, Curt, Trond, Bob & I average a solid 1990 rating, with Trond serving as the primary backup player. The 1990 average rating will not makes us a #1 seed in any division, but on the other hand we are not in any danger of becoming too highly rated as a team to compete in the U2000 section. I am intrigued to see with whom we are placed in our division, as now that we have become one of the “regular” teams (i.e., a team with a fairly solid composition and has played in the last 5 – 10 tournaments). I do not think we have any particular rivals, despite the fact that the 45 45 league has a host of other “regular” teams. Perhaps over time we will develop a “rivalry”, as there exists the real potential to face the same opponent regularly -- which I think brings interesting challenges as well as the potential for real chess learning and improvement.

I also signed up to play for a team in the U2200 division with the expressed understanding that I would be only playing ~3 rounds (plus playoffs if required). With the lack of OTB tournament play on my calendar, 45 45 will just have to serve as my way of staying in shape chess-wise for the near term.

Finally on a completely different note, I received an email asking me if I wanted to play on an over 40 soccer travel team playing in Wilmington, NC, next month. My wife said it was “OK” with her, but to be fair I have not touched a ball in about a month since fall season ended. I am squarely on the fence on this one.