vcliburn
NYC, United States 
Member Since: Jul 13, 2007
Last Login: Dec 16, 2009
Profile Views: 3303
Points: 16
Homepage: www.youtube.com/user/VanCliburnFoundation#p/c/5093B44F7AEC37D6/13/G0OqHPm
Birthday: May 22, 1951
Occupation: Tax law
About Me:
I welcome all lovers of chess, classical piano music, and all other fine things that make life worth living. If you beat me in chess, all the better... I learn a great deal more from losing than from winning. For some reason, I tend to quickly forget the games I win but I NEVER forget the games I lose! That's one reason why I keep reading, playing and going over games, problems, puzzles, etc. I am a professional in the field of tax law & accounting. When I'm not tied-up with work (which is not just during tax season) I sweat it out at the gym to stay fit and to keep my head clear. I've long since dropped out of OTB tournament play because I found it to be far too stressful and utterly dehumanizing. In order to "crush" the opposition in an upcoming tourney I had to prepare rigorously for weeks, days and hours on end to the point where I had every phase of my game down to a science (almost, that is). Needless to say, the proliferation of computer software, databases and training material has forever changed the landscape of competitive play. None of the legendary Grand Masters of past decades (pre-computer) would stand a chance against any regular active Master today because everyone today is on chess steroids (chess software, databases, training materials, etc.). For example, how would a 1957 version of Mickey Mantle stand up against virtually ANY player on today's starting lineup of the N.Y. Yankees? Enough said. Well, I'm through with all that artificial, ego-driven nonsense. I much prefer to ENJOY the royal game of chess for what it really has to offer: imagination, creativity, surprises, pitfalls and ultimately...beauty. Chess may very well be the consummate merger of Art and Science. But as long as the "Art" outweighs the "Science" there may still be hope for the game of chess as we know it.