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Hi there folks, everything is going great so far, lots of new stuff to check out. We have two team matches and two vote chess matches open, the ladder system is all set up and were gaining members at a pretty steady rate; awesome for a group that started less than a week ago don't you think? In any case I'd like to talk to everyone about recruiting members. If you like what were doing with the group so far then tell your friends! Its as simple as that. Although we do prefer quality over quantity (active members, forum contributers etc...), quantity is never a bad thing; the more members we get the more people we can have playing team matches, participating in vote chess, discussing issues in the forums, and just having fun with this great new group. Although at some point will become more selective about our member base regarding the public en masse reffered members will always be welcome. To encourage and motivate a heathy amount of recruitment I wll be hosting a little contest here on the forums. Each time you refer a member to the group and they end up joining please post here with they're username and you will recieve 1 recruitment point. At the end of the month along with the top three recruiters being featured in the newsletter the member with the most points overall will recieve a trophy. Thanks for your time folks! Now get out there, tell your friends, your grandma, your dog, although please stick to beings with a fairly decent amount of cognitive ability (i.e. I don't care if your fern can play chess, its not getting in). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Top Recruiters

The Rankings: Don: Ruso2009 Underbosses: NMTchess, Humblebeast, Ka151, Tobester, TheMK, OMGdidireallyjustsact, okfalls, clubdelempleado, ichabod801, gonnosuke Capos: nmplayer, sparklingknight, flarevire, nandavyas, aabbccdd, bobbyfisher8008, welshman, thomsonfam, kanapolak, mlmiller Soldiers: FutureGM23, Jellis, shinron, Jaller435718, win_of_the_win, sensfan, mikeswrath, kingbishop, improving, bobbyt63, ergosum Associates: Drakesdman, x_you_out, 80015014, spanish_mike, finsfan4life, amerikin_boy, babylaya, QueenHJM, eor, thiamas, visor841, npguest, xrobert, aiedale, gehtrausundmacl, dontnoodle, pusaandfink, hylke, daniel3, fullmetaldave, nestea_joe, tompump,mm40, simendo, extrabold, weir96, schubomb, atomichicken, selee, lastwarrior2010 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also accept challenges and results here so us admins can see. Let the games begin

question, i'm kinda new here, new in chess.com and new in groups.. question: when you challenge other players, is it like your going to play them in live chess(which is faster) or online chess(which is slower) just wondering..i hope someone in this group can anwer me..tnx btw..i prefer live chess more than the online one..

One month (March 28th) from now the Official Black Pawn Mafia open will begin, first prize is a one year gold membership (we also have some great custom trophies). This is an invite only tournament so post here if you'd like to join. This tournament is limited to one hundred players. Good luck folks! Kyle (nmplayer)

I just want to know what your rating is.

This group is not for everyone. Membership is exclusive and is decided on case by case. Here are some parameters. If these describe you, then move on to the next group because you are not VENOM material. 1. If you belong to more than 10 groups. 2. If you are under the age of 18. 3. If you are not active in matches everyday. 4. If you are not a VENOM style chess player. If these do NOT describe you - then please request membership.

**Black Pawn Mafia Code** 1) Here it's all about winning. You can gain raks from success in various matches. Frequent losses will result in demotion or public humiliation. 2)You don't go against the family. Being part of multiple groups is fine however if we play another one of your groups you must play for our team because you don't go against the family.

Hey folks, I'm planning to try to put together a bi-monthly newsletter for the group. I'd like to report on various group activities (team matches, vote chess, etc...) as well as our members' individual success. I'm also planning to include a few puzzles and instructive articles (most by strong players, not myself ;)). I'd like to have the first issue ready and out to the presses (metaphorical of course) on saturday March 14. If you have a game that you are proud of (or think people can learn from) please send it over to me (via message or chess.com email), annotations are encouraged but not required (although its always fine to use computer assistance for this I much prefer human annotations rather that lines and lines of computer variations). Be warned that if you do not provide your own annotations, I will provide them in your stead (with the help of my good friend fritz). Along with annotated games, I would love to hear about your (or another member's) tournament successes, be this from chess.com, over the board or anywhere else you play. It is much easier for me if you also include a link to the final standings. I'd also like to recieve some member written articles, these can be instructive, entertaining or just downright funny (although try to keep it chess related). If you find an article written by someone else that you find truly enthraling and think it deserves to be re-printed in the newsletter you're welcome to send that to me as well (with permission from the original author please). I also plan to include other fun features such as a puzzle solving contest, game of the month, etc... (with trophies and group respect provided ;)). I'm glad to see our great new group growing strong and fast, good luck to all you. Kyle (nmplayer)

One of our members has just been caught for cheating. TheMK has been banned and deleted from the group. Even though this is just a symbolic gesture as his account has already been banned, I hope that our remaining members have the integrity to play fair. Winning may be the goal but cheating and winning is not really winning at all. Thanks, Zach (UNMchess)

Major kudos goes out to our fearless leader Zack (unmchess) for his very impressive upset victory against local expert Chad Schnieder today in an over the board quads tournament. Good job man.

This is how the ranking system works from top to bottom Don Underbosses Capos Soldiers Associates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In order to move up a rank you must defeat three members in your group concecutively. Only challenges posted in the challenge forum will be counted. In addition the match should be titled "Mafia Rank Match" Every member is aloud to play two challenge matches at a time, one challenge you create and another that someone else creates against you. If 3 people defeat you consecutively you will be demoted. Everyone starts out as associates with the exception of our first members who will be placed according to rating. There can only be one Don however and in order to challenge him you will have to win 3 in a row in the Underboss group. DO NOT POST YOUR CHALLENGES HERE!!! Kapeesh?

Here is where you can post your great games for the group to see. Anyone from noob to GM is welcome to post an instructional game here. ***Annotations are key***