saikotiq
Simon
Yorkshire, England 
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008
Last Login: Nov 7, 2009
Profile Views: 1293
Points: 83
Status: Veg and water! O, my! (6 days ago)
Birthday: May 25, 1958
Occupation: Oral historian
About Me:
"She hung up and I set out the chess board. I filled a pipe, paraded the chessmen and inspected them for French shaves and loose buttons, and played a championship tournament game between Gortchakoff and Meninkin, seventy-two moves to a draw, a prize specimen of the irresistible force meeting the immovable object, a battle without armour, a war without blood, and as elaborate a waste of human intelligence as you could find anywhere outside an advertising agency." from The Long Goodbye, Raymond Chandler. Courtesy of sites like chess.com, you probably get a good deal of chess going on INSIDE ad agencies these days though!
hess is serious play. I like serious players with a sense of humour.
No matter what your level, I think a fundamental part of chess is about learning. Generally you learn more from playing players who are better than you, therefore I believe everyone should accept challenges from a few ostensibly weaker players, no matter what their rating is. I really appreciate the efforts of those players higher up the rankings who have the time of day for us lowly mortals. As for me, I have often come a cropper against 'weaker' players, and this has had a catastrophic, if temporary, effect on my ranking from time to time. Happily, chess is far more than numbers. In fact, if I were to mount a miniature hobbyhorse for a moment, I'd like to say that all this number obsession is ridiculous. There now, said it. Politely dismounting my tiny horse, I will admit to being merciless in attack. I learn from defeat, and celebrate victory with endless parties, dancing girls and playful enigmas.
Openings
I persevere in trying to go back to basics in an attempt to understand them more fully. Understanding the fundamental principles of a major opening like the Ruy Lopez or QGA should be of greater value than rehearsing a string of fashionable fads. Having said that, I can't help attempting the odd one that I know nothing about, like the Hippo, Grob or English, out of naked curiosity. After those indulgences, the time is ripe for a few more standard entrees - usually emanating from the e4 region. When black, I normally choose one of the many Sicilians - they feel best against the almost inevitable e4s that I encounter, although you can come alarmingly unstuck with certain variations.
Favourite players
The usual suspects: Kasparov, Fischer, Tal et al, but also the remarkable young prodigy Hou Yifan, who recently beat our very own Nigel Short. That said, I have to say that I found Short's fight against Kasparov truly inspirational. I have fond memories of when chess almost became a national sport in the UK. Each game was featured on TV - such heady days!
I play to learn and have fun, and I will have the odd chat about the world we live in. And the one we don't.
...and finally,